I disagree, your approach is wrong. All you check here is the azimuth of both heads - recording and playback are aligned, which is done in the factory, and you cannot change. But if you play a test cassette, recorded with aligned test recorder, then you'll have a reference sinewave. That reference should be used to adjust the azimuth. ...and that's why test tapes are quite expensive.
This really isn't the correct way to do a proper head alignment. You are referencing from a deck that you don't know if the head was in proper alignment to start with. One really needs a factory calibration tape to ensure proper alignment of the head.
The proof is always in the pudding, so they say. Every tape I've played back on other machines and factory bought music tapes sound excellent. I'd say the job is done and satisfactory. I agree with your assessment that an alignment tape should be used (when available). Thanks for watching.
@@HammyTechnoid But Micheal is right. I, as well as many in the profession, always use a calibrated TEST tape when aligning the azimuth. Your measurement technique is incorrect sir. Its worth the money to invest in a good test tape OR create one from a deck you know for sure is aligned properly.
Great video. It’s also important to check other folks tapes for azimuths because of small differences between machines. Because of this I always insist on tones from my trading partners
It's a leap of faith that this deck is aligned for making a reference tape. Yes your input is in phase, but recording a reference tape on an unknown head alignment proves nothing. Manufacturers made single trac calibration tapes recorded across the width of both channels to ensure it is in phase. As an experiment, change the azimuth out of phase, then record the tone again and play it back. PB will still appear in phase. Garbage in/ garbage out. All you did is adjust other decks to be the same alignment as your CT-S410.
It would be the same erroneous assumption to make a home brew 3,000 Hz speed calibration tape. Generate a 3,000 Hz signal and record it to a deck of unknown calibration. PB to an audio frequency counter will show 3,000Hz because record speed and playback speed are the same. Garbage in/garbage out.
One good way to tell if things have been messed with is if the factory lock-tite is still on the azimuth screw, usually looks like red or green paint. May not apply to all decks.
You're right.. and somewhere in my folder of pics, I have a pic of the head block of this machine, and I recall seeing the untouched green loctite, so yeah, I'm fairly certain this has a head assembly with proper alignment. That's a good tip for general knowledge.
Actually, if you read HiFi magazines back in the golden days of compact cassette, reviewers almost always complained about manufacturers not doing a proper factory alignment. One german magazine even went so far to take close-ups of their test candidate's azimuth screws to encourage those with enough skills to check the alignment against a reference tape. The only company that never ever let them down was Nakamichi. Their quality control was as perfect as you'd expect from japanese engineering. Sony, on the other hand, often handicapped themselves, even with their high-priced ES lineups. And it wasn't about azimuth only (you won't usually hear that with your own recordings anyway), the heads often were also misalignment regarding height, tilt and zenith. Which greatly limits the tape deck's capabilities in terms of sound quality and especially tape handling. A tilted head will also wear unevenly which will ruin the head pretty quickly. And in these days with virtually no spares available, it's a death sentence for an otherwise great and capable machine.
Sorry but you need a Reference Tape ( Fulltrack recording with a real Mono Head) to set it right. You measured only the combined Play/Rec Head and there is nothing to adjust.
So, I thought it was Channel 1 for Right and Channel 2 for Left. The service manuals I have suggest that the old meters use L for Vert and R for Horizontal. My scope (a Tektronix). And that makes sense to me because X would relate to the horizontal coordinate and y to the vertical, and it's called X,Y mode, so it stands to reason that X would be 1 and Y would be 2.
great to see, I remember these days ! - Have you got the old test tape that had the deep male American voice saying ...' Reproducer Test Tape Catalogue Number******Set Reproducer Gain To Read 0 VU....then he went on to say ' nano webers per meter'... love to here that again
You've got me there... can't say I've heard that one... but that old school studio stuff is way cool... I have some old demonstration CD's when digital was in its infancy.. mostly test tones and sweep frequencys for level setting.
@@HammyTechnoid - this was the old quarter inch test tape for lining up the 2 track masters - setting bias and azimuth ... but I guess I have a few more years on you ! you still a boy :)
Your methodology is totally wrong, but I like the cassette deck. I have the same model sitting right here along with a blueprinted and modified Teac V-1050 that's flat within 1dB from 20Hz to 20kHz with a TDK FE using Dolby C. I bought the Pioneer for spares as it has nearly the same mechanism and identical heads to the Teac. It turned out to be a good runner after a belt change and quick service, so I'm keeping both for now.
In the words of that famous pirate, "I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request". My experience with online sales, me being the seller, have been less than wonderful for me. In other words, I've been burnt. This is nothing against you personally, believe me. There are other avenues you can pursue to attain such a tape. Thanks for the consideration.
I disagree, your approach is wrong. All you check here is the azimuth of both heads - recording and playback are aligned, which is done in the factory, and you cannot change. But if you play a test cassette, recorded with aligned test recorder, then you'll have a reference sinewave. That reference should be used to adjust the azimuth. ...and that's why test tapes are quite expensive.
Totally agree with your assessment sir.
Bring back memories.
Thanks.
Interesting. I look forward to the next video!
This really isn't the correct way to do a proper head alignment. You are referencing from a deck that you don't know if the head was in proper alignment to start with. One really needs a factory calibration tape to ensure proper alignment of the head.
The proof is always in the pudding, so they say. Every tape I've played back on other machines and factory bought music tapes sound excellent. I'd say the job is done and satisfactory. I agree with your assessment that an alignment tape should be used (when available). Thanks for watching.
@@HammyTechnoid But Micheal is right. I, as well as many in the profession, always use a calibrated TEST tape when aligning the azimuth. Your measurement technique is incorrect sir. Its worth the money to invest in a good test tape OR create one from a deck you know for sure is aligned properly.
Great video. It’s also important to check other folks tapes for azimuths because of small differences between machines. Because of this I always insist on tones from my trading partners
It's a leap of faith that this deck is aligned for making a reference tape. Yes your input is in phase, but recording a reference tape on an unknown head alignment proves nothing. Manufacturers made single trac calibration tapes recorded across the width of both channels to ensure it is in phase. As an experiment, change the azimuth out of phase, then record the tone again and play it back. PB will still appear in phase. Garbage in/ garbage out. All you did is adjust other decks to be the same alignment as your CT-S410.
It would be the same erroneous assumption to make a home brew 3,000 Hz speed calibration tape. Generate a 3,000 Hz signal and record it to a deck of unknown calibration. PB to an audio frequency counter will show 3,000Hz because record speed and playback speed are the same. Garbage in/garbage out.
One good way to tell if things have been messed with is if the factory lock-tite is still on the azimuth screw, usually looks like red or green paint. May not apply to all decks.
You're right.. and somewhere in my folder of pics, I have a pic of the head block of this machine, and I recall seeing the untouched green loctite, so yeah, I'm fairly certain this has a head assembly with proper alignment. That's a good tip for general knowledge.
Actually, if you read HiFi magazines back in the golden days of compact cassette, reviewers almost always complained about manufacturers not doing a proper factory alignment. One german magazine even went so far to take close-ups of their test candidate's azimuth screws to encourage those with enough skills to check the alignment against a reference tape. The only company that never ever let them down was Nakamichi. Their quality control was as perfect as you'd expect from japanese engineering. Sony, on the other hand, often handicapped themselves, even with their high-priced ES lineups. And it wasn't about azimuth only (you won't usually hear that with your own recordings anyway), the heads often were also misalignment regarding height, tilt and zenith. Which greatly limits the tape deck's capabilities in terms of sound quality and especially tape handling. A tilted head will also wear unevenly which will ruin the head pretty quickly. And in these days with virtually no spares available, it's a death sentence for an otherwise great and capable machine.
@@svenschwingel8632 I totally agree with you I have seen Decks with misaligned heads right out of the box.
Sorry but you need a Reference Tape ( Fulltrack recording with a real Mono Head) to set it right. You measured only the combined Play/Rec Head and there is nothing to adjust.
O'scope instead of "oscilloscope". I bet that's a real time-saver.
So, I thought it was Channel 1 for Right and Channel 2 for Left. The service manuals I have suggest that the old meters use L for Vert and R for Horizontal. My scope (a Tektronix). And that makes sense to me because X would relate to the horizontal coordinate and y to the vertical, and it's called X,Y mode, so it stands to reason that X would be 1 and Y would be 2.
great to see, I remember these days ! -
Have you got the old test tape that had the deep male American voice saying ...' Reproducer Test Tape Catalogue Number******Set Reproducer Gain To Read 0 VU....then he went on to say ' nano webers per meter'... love to here that again
You've got me there... can't say I've heard that one... but that old school studio stuff is way cool... I have some old demonstration CD's when digital was in its infancy.. mostly test tones and sweep frequencys for level setting.
@@HammyTechnoid - this was the old quarter inch test tape for lining up the 2 track masters - setting bias and azimuth ... but I guess I have a few more years on you ! you still a boy :)
Your methodology is totally wrong, but I like the cassette deck. I have the same model sitting right here along with a blueprinted and modified Teac V-1050 that's flat within 1dB from 20Hz to 20kHz with a TDK FE using Dolby C. I bought the Pioneer for spares as it has nearly the same mechanism and identical heads to the Teac. It turned out to be a good runner after a belt change and quick service, so I'm keeping both for now.
Hey, can u sell me that tape you created?
In the words of that famous pirate, "I am disinclined to acquiesce to your request". My experience with online sales, me being the seller, have been less than wonderful for me. In other words, I've been burnt. This is nothing against you personally, believe me. There are other avenues you can pursue to attain such a tape. Thanks for the consideration.
Wrong, completely wrong don’t do this kids it’s a waste of time