The most expensive analog tape machine ever

[FW Harper]

I've read that the Ampex ATR-124 was the most expensive analog machine ever built. I've also read a few different numbers on how many were built, varying from 50 to 100.

Anyone recall how much $ they were?

Anyone know how many were built?

Just curious. Thanks...

[PlatinumSamples]

These guys say 50:

The all-time great analog multitracks

I've seen about 15 in LA (Ocean Way & The Complex)... best machine I've ever used.

Rail

[FW Harper]

$$?

[yeloocproducer]

Man. The best techs in LA (and probably the world) would steer you away from a 124... not sure if you are going to look for one now, but good luck keeping it running if you do...

[Bob Olhsson]

I'm pretty sure it was more than 50. Motown in LA had at least four if not more.

[FW Harper]

Anyone out there having luck keeping one going?

Bob, do you remember them having major issues when you worked on them?

[PlatinumSamples]

They worked perfectly at Ocean Way (and still do) when I worked there and at The Complex. Pretty easy to fix IMO.. the only difficult part to work on was the power supply, not because of anything except it's a beast to take the power supply apart.. but once apart easy to fix. The MDA's don't go down very often (if at all) - so taking the power supply apart is pretty unusual. Since the ATR-124 has 4 full alignments saved - there are 4 identical sets of components for the 4 setups on each card.. which IMO makes it easier to fix.

Be aware that some machines have high crosstalk record heads... if you're looking to buy one look for one with low crosstalk heads. The only downside to the machines is that they have a slow punch in time (109 msecs)... you'll have to get familiar with the feel of the machine. At Ocean Way the assistants always did all the punching when I worked there.

Rail

[yeloocproducer]

You may want to try to talk to Dave Hecht, as he maintained the ones at Cello. I do remember him saying that they need a lot of babying...

[FW Harper]

Nice to hear something positive for a change. Some people seem to think they're a bitch. I already have an ATR-124 with a set of 16-track headstacks that I want to put on it. I'm still saving the scratch for cables/MRL/tech/etc, so I don't have it going yet. I do, however, have a tech here with experience working on them.

Will the 16-track headstacks alleviate the crosstalk issues?

What are MDA's?

Thanks...

[PlatinumSamples]

I believe all the 16 track headstacks have the higher crosstalk... but they sound better (everything's a compromise).

MDA = Motor Drive Amplifier (transistors).

Where are you located?

Rail

[FW Harper]

The guy I bought the 16-track headstacks from said that crosstalk was only really a problem with overdubbing. Not so much if everything is tracked at once. Any truth to this? Thanks again...

[FW Harper]

Oh...I'm in Seattle.

[PlatinumSamples]

Originally Posted by FW Harper

The guy I bought the 16-track headstacks from said that crosstalk was only really a problem with overdubbing. Not so much if everything is tracked at once. Any truth to this? Thanks again...

That is exactly correct - but if you align with a full band MRL.. check your alignment procedure... It's been quite a few years since I had to do an alignment but I recall there being a different process for the 2 head types. I can email a friend and check for you.

Rail

[vernier]

Don't know about expensive, but "best sounding" is Stephens.

[FW Harper]

Originally Posted by PlatinumSamples

That is exactly correct - but if you align with a full band MRL.. check your alignment procedure... It's been quite a few years since I had to do an alignment but I recall there being a different process for the 2 head types. I can email a friend and check for you.

Rail

Good to know. I've yet to go through the service manual I have. I'll PM you if I have questions when I get to that point. Thanks for the offer.

[FW Harper]

Originally Posted by vernier

Don't know about expensive, but "best sounding" is Stephens.

I do like the sound of Queen records!

[Bob Olhsson]

I never worked at Motown in LA. I moved to San Francisco and dropped out.

[BrianT]

Originally Posted by vernier

Don't know about expensive, but "best sounding" is Stephens.

It's very subjective.

I've used both, along with every other 2" machine made.

ATR-124 ruled on the bottom end and just has a big, phat punchy sound without being muddy. Amazing sounding machine.

Stephens is probably the most open sounding 2" analog machine. Very transparent and neutral. Incredible for acoustic instruments and vocals.

But the ATR-124 is king of big, phat in-your-face, IMO. No other analog machine ever got close to it on the bottom end. Big, but tight.

["DB"]

We had them at Regent in NYC, great sounding machine, and certainly not the nightmare to maintain that MCI's were, but the crosstalk between adjacent tracks when overdubbing is "0" (full) level at 15K., so be careful not to bounce between adjacent tracks. Only machine I've ever heard that sounded better was the Stephens.

[PlatinumSamples]

Originally Posted by PlatinumSamples

That is exactly correct - but if you align with a full band MRL.. check your alignment procedure... It's been quite a few years since I had to do an alignment but I recall there being a different process for the 2 head types. I can email a friend and check for you.

Originally Posted by FW Harper

Good to know. I've yet to go through the service manual I have. I'll PM you if I have questions when I get to that point. Thanks for the offer.

Here's the skinny from my friend:

The only difference would be sync LF...the high x-talk would align the same as the repro head with 50Hz to 0VU,
whereas aligning the lo x-talk sync LF with 100Hz to +1VU would yield 50hz playback to ~ -2.5VU.
All record aspects remained the same.

Rail

[wrekdahouse]

Hello I have a Ampex ATR 124 for sale.

I didnt know that only that few machines were built !
we purchased it new. it is a beast!


http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gears...atr-124-a.html

regards,

Patricio

[dbbubba]

My old friend Tony Arnold had two ATR-124s sync'ed with 16 track heads on them back in the '80s.
When he was working in my studio here in Texas he played a few things he had done on them.... astounding stuff!

They were the same basic technology as the ATR series 102s and 104s.

I saw a non-working ATR-124 available on eBay or some place in the last six months.
Maybe it was in NY?

[wrekdahouse]

wow two of these beasts together with 16 track heads... !
i think you cant beat that

regards,
Patricio

[dbbubba]

Originally Posted by wrekdahouse

wow two of these beasts together with 16 track heads... !
i think you cant beat that

regards,
Patricio

Yeah and it was tied to either his Helios or his Raindirk console (consul as he calls it.)

He did that Fripp and Summers stuff on his ATR-124s.
I seem to recall that he said that record was done with just 24 tracks.
(Here I am recalling a conversation from 1977!!!!)

Tony is THE Ampex king in Europe!