Akai GX-4000D Reel To Reel - Review & Test!

Let’s take a look at the reel to reel tape deck you could still buy new in 1984!!! The Akai GX-4000D!
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[@Recordology]

There is conflicting information that this actually does have standard (erase, play, record) heads. Also, I have learned that it is a 3 motor unit.

[@patientdog1651]

I think it has one motor - "twin leaver" Akai units have one motor. They use a cam arrangement to engage idlers for rewind and fast forward. Early units had cams made of cast iron which shattered over time - a well known fault and spares are still available online. The units were also available with amp and speakers in the side and came under the 17xx range I think ( I have eight Akai units in my collection).

[@Recordology]

Now I’m seeing conflicting info about this! Odd.

[@Recordology]

Now I’m seeing this: (hifiengine.com) Specifications Track system: 4-track, 2-channel, stereo/monaural system Heads: 1 x GX playback, 1 x GX record, 1 x erase Motor: 1 x 4-pole induction motor

[@erikdenhouter]

As far as I know, every of the 4000 series has 3 heads, one motor. The GX series of that have (of course) the GX R/PB heads (Glass Xtal). One or three motors is easy to see: put it (without tape) in playback mode, and when the left reel turns clockwise slowly, it is a 3 motor deck, because the left motor will produce the take-off friction. If it stays put, it is a one motor deck, because the take-off friction is produced by a static felt clutch.

[@b.powell3480]

This is a great video!! Thanks for sharing this tape deck with us!, I used to have a Roberts tape deck, got it used at a swap meet, but the glass heads were worn, took it in for a tune-up, but I don't think the shop is in business anymore, anyway, I'm using a cassette deck, which works well for recording purposes

[@TorontoJon]

I love what I call the "animated quality" or records, reels, cassette tapes, and CD's that spin and rotate. They come to life and add to the whole experience of enjoying music :)

[@ultrajayme]

Literally takes me back to being a kid in the 80s!

[@JimmyV1530]

I have had this exact same model reel to reel for close to 40 years....it's a workhorse !! Still plays flawlessly today.

[@Derfnam46]

As do I

[@ultrajayme]

I just got one off Reverb that's been fully serviced and comes with 3 reels of tape for $325. Going to use it to recording guitars, bass and synth.

[@bassfacestudio7975]

Just ordered mine. Can’t wait to use this is my music production! Thanks for a clear and concise review! You helped me choose my Reel to Reel.

[@Recordology]

Awesome 😎

[@ultrajayme]

Just bought one on Reverb for the same purposes. How much did you get yours for?

[@stevesstuff1450]

That is one gorgeous Akai..!! 😊 Sounds great too, with virtually no audible tape-hiss....fantastic! 👍

[@ralphreinhardt6020]

Sounds pretty damn good ! Congratulations on a killer score , Record-ology dude ! 😎👍

[@WobbleMatic]

Had to pause video at 9.45, got a GX4000D yesterday and I knew about the speed adapter but figured it was long gone. Took the head cover off and there it was stowed. Legend. Thank you.

[@apislapis]

When the ex-father-in-law Maurice passed away, my ex-wife inherited his hi-fi gear including an Akai GX-4000D. She said that she didn't have room for his stuff and the gear was heading towards the refuse tip. She said that she remembered that I always admired his Akai whenever we visited and did I want it? So that's how I inherited "little Maurice." He needs a good service and I guess a re-cap may be on the cards. Had him a couple of years and have not got round to it just yet as I need to complete the setting up of my recording studio. I had thought about putting my tracks on the 4000D to add some of that tape saturation that was a feature in many old recordings. Many thanks for the tip re pulling out the spindle sheath to keep the tape reels on. Great video, so I've subbed.

[@Recordology]

Thank you and welcome!

[@cuppadan]

Great video on this. Thanks for posting. I love that others love this too. I own this exact model and it's everything you said about it and more. I got mine at a yard sale but had to have it serviced to bring it back like new. It sounds fantastic, like it was just made yesterday. And yes, my spindles were bent too. I was able to gently coax them a bit straighter so the tape wound more evenly. That aside, it's a perfect machine and the heads will outlast me

[@JimmyV1530]

I also own this model & bought it brand new back in the 80's still up & running...it's a workhorse !!

[@Aleehandro]

Love your enthusiasm 👌🏻 Great vid. Just got a full recap 4000d. Sounds awesome 👍🏻

[@teacfan1080]

Wow, great sound with the direct feed! I have a TEAC 4300 from 1975. It too is a BEAST!

[@ncfamily4]

I own the incredible Akai 747DBX. The last flagship deck made. I purchased it brand new in 1985, and it has given me sheer musical pleasure, all these years. It recently became sick, so it’s getting some TLC from a service center. I can’t wait to get it back. There is nothing like the sound of a good open reel tape deck.

[@sclearance58]

I got a reel to reel for my birthday! TEAC 1250. Love it ! It’s the crowning touch with my vintage equipment! It’s cool! It cranks! Love your vlog man!

[@Recordology]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@Recordology]

Awesome 😎

[@johnmarchington3146]

I have a GX-365 deck which I've always been delighted with. You were certainly lucky to pick up that 4000D.

[@Recordology]

Very thankful

[@sexytasmin]

Hi Mr Record Ology. I was using a Akai 4000DS 46 years ago. It was an excellent tape deck.😊

[@RUfromthe40s]

i had no money in 1970 and the most i could get was a crossfield X-165D that works today perfectelly and by that time there was already the 4000DS in the same catalog(came with speakers and volume knob as tone controls but only mine had no speakers in the 1970 catalog but i´ve seen older decks with the same reference, the GX heads when i first heard them on a cassette deck they seem better than others as i later bought the GX-4000D

[@JOSEEYW]

What a great looking deck and trading a turntable for it was quiet a deal. I bought an AMPEX AX-300 about two years ago for $45.00 at a estate sale. I went nuts and started buying tapes on eBay. Today I have 100+. Later on I bought an Akai GX 230 D and I don't get tired of listening to the sound quality of tapes from the late 50s through the late 60s. Congratulations and have lots of fun with your new toy!!!

[@Recordology]

Thank you!

[@darrylscheepers2279]

Fantastic video as usual. I still own a Akai cassette deck inherited from my dad as well as a Akai direct drive Turntable. Sadly both need work and I can't find spares here in Cape Town South Africa. Keep up the good shows Darryl Scheepers

[@Brokeninc]

I have this model and I was lucky as well. I won it on an online auction website for $60 local pick up only. Then about 2 weeks ago I was at a Goodwill Outlet and paid $30 for a box that was half full of tapes/reels. :)

[@brentfisher902]

Two-handed swords, knights, castles, elves, dragons, wizards...and the music of my childhood....from the days when mixtapes were ROUND. I used to listen to this around 1987 with my father...I call that time "The Crusades", along with the Sharp RT-1010 dual cassette deck. I now have this machine and the thing still works! A few years back I did the Skyrim theme on that same brand of Maxell UD-35-90 recording tape and digitized it back. When recording from a CD, it blows a turntable clean out of the water...dead silence when silence is called for, and quite sizzly highs, even at 3-3/4 inches per second. Basically you have twice as much tape surface area per second in both dimensions as opposed to a cassette deck (unless you had one with the 3-3/4 ips mode...

[@AudioFileZ]

Had a 4400 (same as 4000 w/ internal speakers and amplification). The mechanical design here was solid save the 2 semi-circular cams that the two large play levers engaged. A very focused design and not overly complicated but with a weakness as the cam pieces were a grainy, or pot metal if you will, often cracking and eventually failing to properly engage. If anyone made this part out of machined metal I think it would solve this shortcoming. Straightforward too on electronics often going way beyond twenty-five years and then it may or may not need new caps. Besides the mechanical speed change (i.e. akin to changing the belt drive to another area of the pull on many turntables) there were only two selectors for the electronics: Bias, & Equalization. As previously noted the two speeds were selected by the capstan which had a sleeve you physically put on and off the capstan shaft in order to change speed. Outside the belts which would last to varying degrees (often depending on the part of the country one lived), the deck itself, both electrical and physical, would prove to provide years and years of otherwise fairly low maintenance save for that cheap cast metal cam. These decks were really solid otherwise. My 4400 was a cam victim in the mid-eighties and since I had moved on to cassettes I chunked it. Also no one in my small town had any experience fixing reel to reel decks. I wish I had just put it away but, oh well.

[@choboutube]

This was my first R2R machine. I have 2 now, but both confined to storage. They're ok for what they are, but if you want to play bigger reels, at higher speeds then you will 'graduate' sooner or later. My 'main' machine (quotation marks to reflect that I use it once in a blue moon) is a Technics RS1500.

[@jmi5969]

This transport was used and reused in many Akai models... Probably, the coolest and at the same time the goofiest was the X-2000S - it had a built-in cassette and a built-in 8-track. That's right, three tape formats in one box.

[@leekisselburg8013]

Love your Akai! I have this exact model!! It was my Dad's and I received it after his passing. He used it to record his Marty Robbins albums... Works perfectly! Will NEVER part with it! Awesome!!

[@Recordology]

Very cool!

[@greggaieck4808]

Record, ology I had fun Saturday night on live chat I hope you do more live chat👍👍👍👍

[@anonamous9751]

Ah the memories. I loaned mine out and never saw it again. I still have my original sound on sound recordings. I have since acquired a Sony TC 355 but this one was my first.

[@alm5693]

I have the same deck! A friend gave it to me for free about four years ago when I mentioned that my Sony 640B R2R wasn't working anymore. I've got about six feet of shelf space of old band rehearsal and gig tapes, recordings of albums that I made on that good Maxell tape, and a boxful of "new" pre-recorded tapes that I found in a record warehouse in 1982. Such a fun fun toy even though tapes deteriorate with age (some of mine were recorded in 1971).

[@JrGoonior]

My now late uncle gave me his in 1996, he bought it brand new 1978. He even gave me some of the tapes he had made over those years and they still sound great to this day. Fortunately, at the time I was still able to get brand new tapes from Radio Shack and a high end stereo store.

[@peterb666]

I have one of these, purchased new in 1982 or 1983. I still have it and it still works. They bought out a Dolby equipped version just after I bought mine and that would be the one to have.

[@RUfromthe40s]

this was incredible when came out i had a 1970 that still records and plays with great sound today but next i bought that model and it sounds almost perfect,if recorded from cd the tape sounds much better at standart velocity. Akai play/record system and keys they kept using the same (they are kind of weird but never fail in more than 50 years )allthough it looks more modern than the 1970 model i own , works today, i also have a pioneer but somewhere in the 80´s i had problems with it and didn´t have a technician who knew how to repair a deck like this and my old father still uses his revox bought in 78 with no problems , he used to record a lot of reels but he didn´t writte nothing on the reels from year to year i could take some 6 or more reels that wouldn´t miss them till today

[@TheLaughingOtter]

Congrats on the new acquisition brother, welcome to the club... just to let you know...the 4000d actually comes in an all black version with blacked out VU meters. They are extremely rare, mostly being sold as a 220/240 voltage for the overseas market...however there were some all black models made with 110/120 v. I have 2 of the brushed silver decks and one of the US all black in my vintage stereo collection. PM me for photos if you like. Again, congrats! Enjoy!

[@Recordology]

I’ve seen those! Awesome 😎

[@MrDustpile]

Had a 1969 Akai 4000D roughly 30 years later at age 20 and loved it, yet was disappointed that a pro speed machine was out of reach. So I had a workshop make a 15ips spindle on their lathe - which barely fit - as well as using a graphic equaliser on the line in to flatten the frequency boosts at that speed. And it sounded incredible, enhancing clarity and oomph of some CDs I copied from. However the motor wore out as it wasn't designed to drive that fast. Still have the tapes though, plus a proper 15ips Tascam at last.

[@ERROL007]

I brought one of these maybe 30-40 years ago. I was aged around 17/18 years old at the time. I can't remember how much I got it for by I had just started working as a pipe fitter/wireman apprentice and was earning maybe £30 a week. My neighbour was had a 'Kays' mail order catalogue account and so I was paying for it by instalments. This was my first introduction to 'higher' end audio as at the time I had a 'boombox/ghetto blaster. As I was learning to play bass and had ideas about doing my own music the Akai seemed a great introduction with it's sound on sound feature. Whilst the recorder was ok I soon moved onto a Tascam 32 and 34 because I soon realised I needed to be able to isolate the individual sounds. I'd say the Akai was more an introduction model whereas the Tascams where a huge jump up in build quality. I believe I paid maybe £1200-14000 brand new for the 32 and 34.

[@prowlermadmax2]

I got mine brand new in 1984 for 800.00. I still have it and it still works, but I lost the adaptor to play at 7 1/2 speed

[@bob7872]

I don't know about the bias being affected, but the 3 heads are especially for the sound on sound feature, so you can hear what you already recorded while putting down the next track. Glad to see the kindness of some people.

[@jonsymmonds1120]

For what it is worth, hang on to this unit! I had a Teac/Tascam 4 track unit, one way 1/4 track. It was designed for small studio/Semi-pro production. It had logic circuitry that didn't hold up. Too much heat was generated within the unit and caps were constantly drying out. I had two of these units, both were capable of 10" reels. One ran 3 3/4-7.5" per socond. The other ran 7.5"-15" IPS. Both had the same logic issues. Maybe Akai was able to deal with these issues differently in their logic designs? Good luck to you and thanks for another awesome video!

[@ronaldweed6103]

What a Beauty WoW!! I remember reading stereo Review Magazine about Reel to Reel,in 1970s. One thing they would say was you should tape your Dad so one can remember his voice. That really made want a R&R but just couldn't get afford. I did get a Marantz 30 watts per channels with Advent speakers & a nice record player. I have the Memories sharing my 1972 Fiddler on the Roof with my Dad while we ate steak together. Miss him dearly 😢 what an awesome Dad. I have my jbl headphones 🎧 ON this sounds GREAT!!

[@danielthomas3057]

I had bought one brand new in 1984. After a few years it developed speed issues, slowing down partway through a reel of tape.

[@mercurialmagictrees]

Wow awesome! Fascinating machine. I may like one some day! I would just be worry that I won't have enough of my favorite music to play on it because reels are expensive and rare. I would consider recording music on a machine too.

[@JmieYoutube]

Just picked one up, I love it

[@pcallas66]

The output knob controls the output on the RCA jacks as well. If you have a more sensitive input for some reason you can control it from the deck. One other note is when changing speeds, there's an EQ switch so you get proper sound on each speed. There's sound on sound and a noise reduction button on the right for low noise and wide range if I remember correctly. I had one of them and it was a great workhorse. You definitely got the better end of the deal. It sounds great!!! Don't let the slightly bent reel stabilizer get to you. I think with age and how many times that the stabilizers were pulled out has more to do with it. I believe mine were the same way. In my opinion I don't think it was dropped on its face at all. Great video. Thank you for sharing.

[@Recordology]

Thank you!

[@pcallas66]

@@Recordology you're welcome.

[@VolkswagenNut1969]

Nice! The tape deck on my old system is an Akai 4000DS. Sounds great, love it! I can’t believe how powerful these things are and how amazing the dynamic range is. 😉 Enjoy it!

[@daniellcruikshank7922]

Congratulations that is a nice reel-to-reel deck, my father sold his but it got damaged in the post

[@christianfasy]

Sweet unit. Nice shape, too.

[@tenej6992]

I have an Akai GX-4000DB and it sounds fabolous! It got damaged in shipping, but got it up and running and I'm very satisfied with it. Bought it specifically because it had an integrated dolby, which it's always a nice feature to have.

[@Recordology]

Yes amazing in a rtr!

[@alm5693]

In the 70's, Teac made some outboard dolby units for home decks. I've got the cheapest one but the better ones were pretty slick. Made for a mess of cables behind the equipment though.

[@trippmoore]

@@alm5693 is that the TEAC AN-80? I got one in the box locally. It looked unused with the manual in the plastic sleeve and the original calibration tape. I was stoked to put up another box with another meter (it's not a VU meter though), but it doesn't work. I'm sure I can fix it, but I haven't had time to put it on the bench yet. Sometime after acquiring the 80 I did a trade with an audiophile buddy of mine and got a TEAC AN-300, among other things. It's the 4 channel version, but it looks more vintage and it does have VU meters. 4 big ones in fact. With discrete ins and outs and switches to put the Dolby NR in or out of the signal path it's quite versatile. You can be using a quad signal, or 2 stereo, or 4 mono. It's like a Noise Reduction server! I also have a couple dbx NR units.A 4 channel that can do encoding or decoding, but not simultaneously. The 2 channel model will do both encoding and decoding simultaneously. They both have a "disc" button for decoding dbx encoded records. If you haven't heard a dbx encoded record you are in for a treat, Almost zero surface noise and a huge dynamic range! I have a number of classical dbx records and 2 Cat Stevens dbx records.

[@alm5693]

@@trippmoore I've got the AN-60. The AN-80 was the better one that I decided was a little too expensive at the time. I used it with a Sony 640B R2R. I still have both but the Sony needs work.

[@ConglomerationCat]

Gotta tip your hats to AKAI back in the day... I still have my father's X-150D along with an AKAI GXC-325D cassette deck both hooked up to a 1973 Sony TA-1150 Integrated Amp. All still functioning to this day.

[@mikesdustygold5089]

My buddy found one of these in an artic and let me have it the same Akia dx-4000d. I put it aside and never payed attention to it. I dusted it off and it seems like everything is working, I need to find some reels and test it out thanks for the information.

[@thefamilydad8635]

That’s a beautiful deck. Sounds great. Mine is a Sony TC600 “suitcase” unit with a constant loud buzz (no other audio) in the left channel. The capstan sleeve to change speeds is inconvenient, but definitely works. That’s how my GE field recorder works.

[@davidahart2476]

My dad's first reel to reel was a Grundig suitcase type

[@pcallas66]

With the capstan sleeve as well, speed should be as stable on both speeds providing the inner capstan is in good shape. Less to go wrong with it for sure.

[@dhpbear2]

18:33 - My favorite tape back in the 1970s was Scotch 207 it looked a lot like open-reel videotape of that day - no shiny backing! :)

[@clmcdonald1]

I have this deck as well. It really is great. It floored me at how good it sounded for the 10 dollars I paid for it. Mine are bent as well. When you pull up on the capstans and they will turn to better hold the tape to the body and never wobble.just annoying to look at.

[@I.O.M.]

Sounds great!

[@davidahart2476]

I've got my dad's Akai GX747 he bought in 1981 or 1982 when he was stationed in Germany

[@greggaieck4808]

Record, ology the music you play is cool

[@peterofenback6095]

Akai did all combinations of features in their 7" range of tape recorders. I once owned a X201D which had quite the same control levers as the GX-4000 but had three motors and the crossfield bias head, but no dedicated record and playback heads and therefore no option of tape monitoring during recording. On the other hand it had auto reverse, but only in playback mode. The Akai was later replaced by a 2-Track Revox A77 which was on another level. But as Techmoan said, tape costs were so insane that at last I did not use this machine very often.

[@RUfromthe40s]

not that insane , the guy you refer sometimes he´s completely wrong about is knowing about several devices and doesn´t admit he´s wrong and there it stays a completely wrong piece of information he also said that a revox reel to reel didn´t play music because it had 4 track recording ,just because he didn´t know better and didn´t bother to ask anyone

[@chrisdeboden1977]

For people who have never had a tape deck before, it is an impressive device, but this is only an entry-level device. Coincidentally, I also have an Akai, the flagship model from 1980, the GX635d. Compared to this guy, the GX4000mkII which uses 18cm reels is a baby, the GX635d has 26cm reels. This recorder has 3 motors and is direct drive with soft-touch operation, the GX4000 only has 1 motor and is belt drive. The GX4000 has 3 heads (different system), the GX635d has 6 heads, 3 heads for the forward direction and 3 heads for the reverse direction. Quite a lot of difference between the entry-level model and the top model and the big joke is that although the GX635d is a beautiful deck, it is still not professional, it remains a consumer deck. In practice it is a nice recorder with a beautiful sound. With a Maxell XL-I tape on which my recorder is adjusted I hear no difference compared to CD, so that is nice, but it remains consumer stuff.

[@dazzfromaus4797]

Good find. Enjoy.

[@JOSEEYW]

Because of the bent reel turntables' metal part and the uneven pulling motion of the tape, I would recommend that your fast forward and rewind the full length of the tape using one of your other decks, to ensure that it is stored straight and tightly wound up. I have also read (and practice) that tapes must be preferably played from beginning to end and instead of stopping it in the middle and rewind it back. Just a thought for all the enthusiasts of the group!

[@kevinpatrickmacnutt]

You made the right choice, the Crossfield heads can have azimuth issues. The 4000dx was my first stereo open reel deck, a good deck, but I did not like the one speed motor. I used it for a few years before going to a Pioneer RT-707 which was a little more sophisticated.

[@greggaieck4808]

RECORD OLOGY YOUR AKAI GX 4OOO REEL TO REEL THIS IS COOL

[@new-knowledge8040]

STILL HAVE MY 1978 Akai GX-630D . It looks the same as the day I bought it.

[@veb6814]

I absolutely love Akai reel to reel machines! They're just beautiful looking! The only downfall is the paddle switches are prone to braking with age and next to impossible to repair or replace 😪

[@haroldpearson6025]

You should be able to get some 3d printed in a tough plastic. It also would not difficult to make a little wood pattern and cast some in alloy?

[@RUfromthe40s]

i bought some 12 machines for 100€ (most of them were akai)and all i needed was there ,some even worked perfect, it belonged to the father of a guy who repaired electronics in the 70´s and he sold all he had in his father repair shop , also bought other components from him ,for 50€ a sx-750 from pioneer working perfect and a complete system from optonica(sharp) that had a component that was the center of the control remote and all components had a cable conected to the center control than i could with a remote but with wire control all functions in the system, a plus was a turntable tangencial type that reads the records on both sides the arm rotates to underneath the record and plays all without turning the record ,i saw once a very cheap compact system from sharp with this system but this one is all in aluminium

[@ScottGrammer]

Often what breaks is the cams that are operated by the levers. 3D printed versions of these cams are available and work very well.

[@RUfromthe40s]

when you fast forward you have not to take the tape from near the heads and put it on top of the box that protects the heads ,my older one was like that

[@elisiocliopt]

Hi, is this good? and to record and play is good sound? was to buy one but this akai gx4000d?? hope it's good....

[@snugglebunnyhaven7258]

This deck was actually used in the movie Pump Up The Volume with Christian Slater 1990. Was his reel machine as a prop. These and the Teac decks were decent machines. The only gripe for me is I use the commercial decks like the Otari MX 5050s and they master in 2 track one way. Most all consumer decks are 4 or half track stereo. Although the Otari does have a 4 track playback head you can switch to, it won't record 4. The 4 track can play a 2 track but since the azimuth is off, the right channel will always be a bit lower in levels and fidelity. 2 track recording, especially with 15 IPS speed is much higher in quality. Can compare pretty much to CD audio quality with no noticible loss.

[@Recordology]

Very interesting!

[@stroise256]

I have same unit. its my dads from late 70s. been sitting in the closet for 20 yrs

[@Mandoline2007]

I just got an Akai 4000DS MK-II and I don't know how to change the speed. I know there are two speed but how to change it? Thank you for your help and congratulations for your video.

[@dhpbear2]

I recognize the "ALM" reel (Audio Lingual Method)! These were used in foreign language courses in junior high schools in the 1960s! (17:40).

[@lightbulbmaniac]

I have the same unit but the right channel doesn't work at all. (Meter inactive and if you put the switch to track 3-2 and rise the volume all the way up you barely hear a tiny bit of treble.) I believe a capacitor somewhere in there has dried and shorted internally, because if I add a higher voltage to the right channel input or the right side of the head it temporarily starts working again and sounds a little distorted. Left channel is perfectly fine. Any recommendations on which caps I should replace?

[@sexytasmin]

Hi Mr Recordology I prefer the Akai 4000DS because it is proper 3 head and you can monitor your recordings.

[@grahamthompson9825]

I suspect it is a proper three head machine as it has a tape source switch

[@grahamthompson9825]

I have just downloaded the service manual and it confirms it is a normal three head machine.

[@davidhaney1394]

This is a 3 head , single motor deck . Probably the best of the 4000 range as it has the GX heads so they don`t wear . I`m a reel to reel tech in the UK . If you need any info on these machines let me know I`ve serviced and restored many of these . They have a fantastic sound to them . They don`t really have any faults . I have 2 of them here at the moment one silver one black (not for sale) . Great deck.

[@savanaviolenta]

There is one for sale at 440€ with almost everything changed inside like new. Should I jump on and buy it? Need it for recording and for mixing.Or should I go with Revox A77

[@johnmiele5058]

12 /19/2023 where do you hook up the external speakers

[@patientdog1651]

Great video - I have one still in use. But are you sure that one of the heads is the bias head? Crossfield bias was invented by Tandberg and the idea was that the bias head faced opposite the record head to "pull out" the high frequency signals. Look up Tandberg crossfield bias. Also, bear in mind that glass and crystal heads do not like old back-coated tapes, such as those from TDK Audua and others. They will screech! 12 Volt Vids has done a few good videos on them.

[@Recordology]

I think it actually is a regular three head deck.

[@darinb.3273]

As I understand, the screeching is because of the binding agents in the tape formula (sticky shed syndrome). There are videos instructing how to bake these tapes so the material can be recovered off the tape. It is not a permanent fix for tapes that suffer from S.S.S. to my knowledge it doesn't have anything to do with oxide color it has to do with the binder breaking down and absorbing moisture, that's why baking the tape makes it okay for a little while. It will again absorb moisture and screech again. I suppose chemically this was a poor formula that wasn't realized at the time.

[@greggaieck4808]

RECORD, Ology When I Was Kid MY Mom OWEN WOLLENSAK REEL TO REEL I used to play WOLLENSAK reel to reel

[@ultrajayme]

Question. So when changing motor speed, which is which? Is it recording faster when you take off the cap and store it? Or other way around? Thanks! Mine is in the mail for recording my solo band project.

[@Recordology]

Nice! The bigger the capstan, the faster the speed so sleeve on is for 7.5

[@ultrajayme]

Thanks. About how many times can you erase and re-record before tape degradation? I remember back in the cassette days, the better quality the tape the more erases before it started to bleed or get muddy. Same rule here?

[@ultrajayme]

Subscribed. Thank you!

[@Recordology]

Welcome aboard!

[@ultrajayme]

Ebay has a lot of NOS tape. I just got a Pan Canada 1200' reel for $15. Hoping it's good enough quality to get started?

[@laverne506]

Hi what can't a microphone you can use with it Dig microphone and can I use it with a interface thanks

[@stevekenbeek7823]

I still have my 4000D just started getting back into it and my pioneer turntable from the late 70’s. Having motor or belt problems with the reel to reel it’s having problems getting the moving reels going and keeping them up to speed. Any suggestions?

[@Recordology]

I would start with cleaning off old lubrication with a deoxit type of cleaner and then adding fresh white lithium grease. That might do the trick! Good luck and let me know how it turns out!

[@nickbitten9910]

Nice machine- there is something about R2R machines. Happy days.

[@pd1jdw630]

I have one of these decks. And it’s in need of restoration. Which will happen in the future. But it has always been a workhorse.

[@dazzfromaus4797]

I did and I played $795:00 Australian in 1983. The only trouble that I had with it is that the drive clutches were too tight and chewed plastic reels apart thus destroying the reels.of tape. I eventually sold it in 1994 for $150:00 Australian dollars.

[@ScottGrammer]

It's a three-head, single-motor machine with Glass Crystal heads. These heads essentially last forever. I have one of these for sale.

[@kofthebaskervilles]

How did you hook it up? Does it have line level outputs?

[@alm5693]

Line level outputs and inputs. Older receivers had the four connections grouped together and you'd access playback via a tape monitor switch on the front panel. An Aux input will do for playback on more modern equipment.

[@olledahlquist3784]

You mentioned that the left roller (left of the AKAI logo) didn't turn. I think that is right, but also that the part where the tape passes will rotate. Otherwise it will clog up a lot of residue from the tape passing resulting in damaging tapes and sound quality. Among my 30+ reel-to-reel taperecorders I only have one AKAI and that is the 635-SD model. A very nice and reliable machine. Last week I got a SONY TC-640A in mint condition for 100 USD delivered to my home. That is a bargain - and now I have two. ;-)

[@alm5693]

I have a Sony 640B that I bought new but needs rehabbing now. I talked with a local music gear repair shop that estimated the rehab at up to $300. Most audio places near me won't even take it in for repair. 🙁

[@laverne506]

Hi how much is the reels and tape coat thanks

[@01chippe]

If this had a tape monitor function, which you showed that it did, it could not have a combined play/ record head as you could not monitor recording. I would think the heads from left to right are: erase, record, playback. In fact I have confirmed this is the case by downloading the manual Per the manual spec: “Heads: (3) 1 GX playback head, 1 GX recording head, 1 erase head” Where did you learn that one of the heads is a bias head? The bias is adjusted using the tape selector switch. The manual shows which settings to use for particular brands of tape. Also lists only ONE motor. (1) 4-pole induction motor.

[@Recordology]

Agreed on all accounts

[@Recordology]

I ran into some bad data sheets.

[@Recordology]

Agreed 100%

[@khillsy4489]

Hey there are you familiar with the Revox A700, A720, and A722 series ?

[@Recordology]

I have seen them!

[@TorontoJon]

LIKE 55 and that's no jive. I have an Akai GX-4000D reel-to-reel deck too which I purchased at a local auction about 10 or 15 years ago in pristine used condition, but at one stage, the recording function stopped working, so my main deck is a silver Akai GX-77 from an eBay seller many years ago which is a gorgeous deck too with digital Vu bars that look really sharp.

[@rockfidelity8229]

I have one. Do you hear a loud humming noise when you tun it on?

[@Recordology]

Fairly quiet….pretty sure it’s the flywheel.

[@rockfidelity8229]

@@Recordology thanks for responding.

[@xisotopex]

is this thing worth 200$ or should I try to get one cheaper?

[@RUfromthe40s]

you´re right, patience i have some 7 open reel decks and paid for none and all are good ,well this i didn´t put it to work yet but i will ,maybe this wekend

[@petewoodroffemusic]

Why didn't you say how you wire it into an amp? Ie I assume its 5pin din?

[@greggaieck4808]

Record, ology Electraa Reel TO Reel player that you owen is cool

[@icpizzaboy]

nice deck my rt-707 weighs in at a hefty 50 lbs and my deck has no belts except for the counter my 707 has logic controls with solenoids.

[@haroldpearson6025]

I have an X360 with many of the same features

[@arnoldtolker3505]

Wow, was für ein Monstrum! Ich selbst hatte 1969 eine Reel-to-Reel-Machine, auf deutsch, ein Tonbandgerät, von Uher. Keine Ahnung, ob es die Marke noch gibt... und keine Ahnung, wo das Gerät mitsamt dutzender Tonbänder, alle von BASF, geblieben sind...

[@wwmadi]

I have this deck at work (I'm an audio archivist). It's pretty good. But it doesn't play for me laid flat like you have it in this video. It just makes a clunky noise & won't play. I just play it upright (which works better for my tiny office anyway)

[@Recordology]

Interesting!

[@bob7872]

The only thing is, don't try to use an old acetate tape on it, the material will peel right off. It happened to me.

[@oldradiosnphonographs]

Careful with the controls. Those cams are made of pot metal. I had a head adjustment cam fall apart in an Akai M8

[@Gajodareactividade]

Mine also has bended spindles!