Welcome to "The Gallery"
This section of our website is for those who want to be “in the know” regarding our transfer process, the equipment we use and how we utilize it. Of course, we do not give away all of our trade secrets, but you will certainly get a closer look into what we do and how we do it. If you find yourself expressing deeper interest, feel free to check out our Facebook and Youtube pages for ongoing updates, additional photos and videos regarding the transfer process, equipment reviews and care of your vintage analog audio.
A general overview of our transcription workstation including the following equipment. In this order (left to right);
• Otari MX5050 Open Reel Mastering Deck
• Modified Sony VAIO PCV-MXS20 PC
• Blue Sky Media Desk Active Studio Monitors
• Audioarts Engineering AIR-1 Analog Mixing Console
• Sony MDR-7509 Professional Headphones
• APC Uninterruptible Power Supply
• Modified Technics SL-1210mk5 Turntable
• Source Rack (see details on source rack picture)
• Printing Station (see details on print station picture)
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Some other interesting devices (pictured left to right);
• American Harvest FD-50
• Loricraft PRC-3 Record Cleaning Machine
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Additional sources and devices (from left to right);
• Tascam CD-D13 CD Duplicator
• Dynamax CTR-12 Broadcast Cart Payer
• Dynamax CTR-14 Broadcast Cart Recorder
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Our tape machine of choice is the highly regarded Otari MX5050 Mastering Deck. These units are gentle tape handlers as well as stellar record / playback units. Our machine will play 2 track and 4 track ¼” tape formats. We keep our MX550 meticulously maintained and calibrated to ensure the best possible playback at all times.
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Our turntable of choice for record playback is a modified Technics SL-1210mk5. This unit was custom modified for transfer purposes by KAB Electro-Acoustics and features 78 rpm playback capability.
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A close-up view of our “source rack” which houses audio playback devices and related equipment. In the following order (top to bottom);
• Furman PL Plus D Series II Power Conditioner
• Switchcraft Custom Patchbay
• Tascam MD-CD1 Mini-Disc / CD player Combo Deck
• Tascam 112mkII Cassette Deck
• KAB Electro-Acoustics EQS-mkII Chronological EQ
• Akai CR-81D 8-Track Player / Recorder
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A general overview of our print station including the following equipment. In this order (top to bottom);
• Epson Expression 1640XL Large Format Scanner
• Epson Artisan Inkjet Printer
• Rimage Everest II Thermal CD Printer
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A general view of our Loricraft PRC3 Record Cleaning Machine. The Loricraft family of record cleaning machines is one of the most effective and professional machines on the market today. They actually do what they claim “microscopically clean hard to reach record grooves" period! Although they may be viewed as somewhat pricey, they are robust, professional and have a reputation of long lasting performance.
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Jim Walton examines the surface of an LP through a high powered CCD video microscope. Since the records surface is black, the video microscope software allows color enhancement to show depth perception. In the following pictures, we use blue to show the valley and white to illustrate the peaks.
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This is a view of a common LP record as seen through a high powered CCD video microscope. Color enhancement was used to show depth perception (blue is the valley and white shows the peaks). Note the dust and dirt on the record surface.
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This is a view of the same LP after the Loricraft record cleaning machine process. As you can see, the grooves are microscopically clean. Impressive indeed!
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It was once said that “tape is forever” and today we find that this statement couldn’t be farther from the truth. In reality, recording tape has a life expectancy of approximately 10 years. However, when it comes to Mylar recording tape, help is promising.
Mylar based recording tape absorbs moisture (humidity) that generally softens the binder that secures the iron oxide recording surface to the Mylar ribbon of the recording tape. When this situation occurs, it is possible to dehydrate the tape and reset the binder back to its original state (temporarily). In a nutshell, “baking” the tape will remove moisture damage and will temporarily reset the binder long enough so that the tape can be played back properly.
The American Harvest model FD-50 Food Dehydrator is the industries best kept secret to achieving this task. This unit not only fits trays of tape perfectly, but it’s ability to swirl accurately controlled warm air about the contents of the trays while venting out moisture makes it the perfect device for tape restoration (makes a great beef jerky too)!
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