Another thread about my reel to reel

Dave_in_Va wrote:So I got the deck installed and I've tested it out. It seems to record and play fine.

Always a BUT...The output seems low. I have to crank the vol. on the SP 14 to around 1 or 2 o'clock to get the same vol as I get from my turntable at around 10 o'clock (that's with the output of the reel to reel set at the center 12 o'clock, detent position). If I crank the output on the reel to reel over to around 3 o'clock, the vol. on the SP 14 can come down to around 12 o'clock.

The reel to reel is in the tape loop of the SP 14.

One thing I thought of is that my cartridge might be the difference. When I upgraded the cartridge on my Music Hall 5.1 from the stock cart. to an Ortofon 2M Black there was a pretty drastic increase in quality and volume.

Could it just be that the Ortofon output is that much superior to the Pioneer output and I should find something else to worry about?

Thanks for all the help and advice.

Peter W. wrote:Let's parse this some:
a)  The RtR output is partially based on the recording level. Most commercial recordings on tape are at a low level as they are for lower-end consumer tape machines using a typical dual-purpose record/playback head. So, if you are playing back a commercially recorded tape, you may need to boost your output levels.

b) I am sure your deck has an output level control - try adjusting it so that the VU meters bounce, on average, at 0 dB.

I did that. I set the levels according to the manual.

To test all this, try recording a tape for playback. If you have a three-head machine, set your recording level to match input to output, or saturation, which ever comes first. Then, see if it plays back at the correct level.

I wil try it this way. That's going make a really hot signal.

I am running a Revox A77 road deck, and a B215 Cassette Deck. The cassette deck allows me to adjust the output level apart from the front controls - and I am also feeding it into an A720 which allows me to adjust the input levels (in the back) for matching purposes. Handy.

Dave_in_Va wrote:Thanks everyone. (Yes, it's the Pioneer RT 909, Peter.)
I had a recording engineer friend over today and he said that it needs calibration between the source and "tape" switches. I think that's what he said.
Any way, I've ordered a copy of the service manual (on CD unfortunately) and when it gets here my friend will calibrate and check out the machine again (Azimuth adj. etc.).
He said other than that, the machine is great. It sure functions smoothly.
But most importantly, it looks cool! ;-)
Stress levels lowering as I type....

erhard-audio wrote:I guess that is one of the issues with old pre recorded stuff. I do not bother with those, as I had nothing but sound issues with the ones I tried.
Can you find out from the tech that restored your deck at what flux level he calibrated the deck at. For consumer level decks, I am guessing 200 to 250nWB/m at no more than +3dB.
Your best test would be to record your own tape, setting the record level so that the VU meters hover around the 0dB mark and under, try not to overload/saturate the recording/tape too much.
Then during playback, the levels should be just fine without requiring a lot of volume.

erhard-audio wrote:

Dave_in_Va wrote:Thanks everyone. (Yes, it's the Pioneer RT 909, Peter.)
I had a recording engineer friend over today and he said that it needs calibration between the source and "tape" switches. I think that's what he said.
Any way, I've ordered a copy of the service manual (on CD unfortunately) and when it gets here my friend will calibrate and check out the machine again (Azimuth adj. etc.).
He said other than that, the machine is great. It sure functions smoothly.
But most importantly, it looks cool! ;-)
Stress levels lowering as I type....

hhhmmmm......in order to correctly calibrate any reel to reel deck, the correct calibration tape/s need to be used with the correct/suitable flux level as mentioned in my earlier post.
I am assuming that your friend knows that. Also, some specific calibration equipment should also be used. That is the ONLY way to properly calibrate a reel to reel deck. It is not rocket science, but the right tools need to be used.
The RT909 is a very good deck once it has been correctly and properly aligned and calibrated.

Dave_in_Va wrote:Thanks Holger.
He's got the tools and equipment. He just totally restored a Revox PR 99 for his studio.

deepee99 wrote:Kind of a snarky name for a thread, methinks