All your tapes are belong to us: Soundesign TX 0868 cassette/8-track deck

[@vwestlife]

I found a copy of the service manual for it, and scanned it in: www.amstereo.org/files/soundesign_0868_service_manual.pdf

[@ThejasonJaw5442]

WPLJ radio station i remember this unit

[@CathySiegert]

thx for the service manual. Beatiful deck!

[@dkubarek1]

I literally came here to ask if you had this. The only thing I have is what's on the bottom and it's damaged. Thanks!

[@und4287]

The "tape running" indicator is a true show of blinkenlights.

[@ropersonline]

Just you wait until you find out about Ben Eater's breadboard CPU. Or the Monster 6502.

[@38911bytefree]

It a bulb behind a gear with slots (I saw this in an early AIWA, as gear rotates it works as animation)

[@NickDalzell]

We had an Emerson VCR that had something similar. It went slow for play, all LEDs lit for pause, and went fast during FFWD and RWND.

[@veb92168]

Literally just bought one of these exact machines at a garage sale for 4$ and everything works! Very cool for soundesign!

[@styloroc2000]

totally lol'd with the Techmoan cut

[@ingenfestbrems]

Let me tell you all. The fastest winding cassette player I’ve ever seen it’s the Tandberg tcd330. Made in 1975, It have dedicated capstan motors, dual loop closed type. And 2 direct drive motors on to each real, Rewind up to a serious speed, and slowing down at the end to not damage the tape, just like expensive 80/90’s vhs machines

[@cicadakiller714]

Thank you for sharing my song! Just found out about this, can’t believe you put one of my songs in a video! Means the world 🧡

[@Selrisitai]

Was pretty nice. I love music where the instruments have their full texture audible. Shows that whoever mastered it actually wanted the music to sound like music, made with instruments, and not just a simulacrum.

[@qbertguy]

vwestlife: "This is real woodgrain veneer" LGR: 😲🤯😵

[@MattLarose]

it's not fake, it's REAL fake!

[@JohnJones-oy3md]

@@MattLarose Woodgrain veneer is real wood.

[@MattLarose]

@@JohnJones-oy3md Yeah, but it's funnier without all your "facts", John.

[@JohnJones-oy3md]

@@MattLarose One can be funny and right, Matt.

[@MattLarose]

@@JohnJones-oy3md I reject your reality, and substitute my own

[@dragonmac1234]

I think this would be loved by Techmoan and LGR, I must admit I'm a big fan of 70's/80's brushed metal and big chunky buttons and switches on HiFi equipment.

[@JonnyInfinite]

The styling looks very Pioneer -like

[@orlandokaraoke3002]

I had one those exact units. Got it at a garage sale when I was 12 years old. I also scored a whole big box of blank 8 track tapes. It was one my favorite parts of the component system I had at the time. Making custom 8 tracks recorded off the tape was pretty cool.

[@haroldalexis4200]

Great review. This is a rarity for Soundesign. They were usually an alternative if you couldn't have higher quality or thousand dollar models in stereophonics. Woodgrain cabinets were very popular for many makes as well. The Sanyo model surprised me near the end with their version, they had a woodgrain cassette decks in times past. In my many years into stereo systems I was never able to get an 8 Track player , I bought 1 that was a lemon that skipped speeded much like when you press on a CD players skip speed. I enjoyed watching this have strong interest in purchasing the 2 units of Soundesign & Sanyo for collectors fun & the hobby. I thank you again and looking forward to seeing your channel... 🙂👏

[@matthewjbauer1990]

I would have expected this item to have shown up on Techmoan's channel. Good video as always.

[@Kylefassbinderful]

Idk, I think this falls in line with the kind of content VWestlife usually puts out.

[@ModMokkaMatti]

Maybe so, but I prefer seeing it on this channel. Techmoan has become tiresome to watch.

[@Kylefassbinderful]

@@ModMokkaMatti tiresome? how so?

[@tonyjones9442]

@@Kylefassbinderful I think he's running out of stuff to "review"

[@tomsimpson3322]

@@ModMokkaMatti Nothing wrong with having the two...check out 12voltvids to compliment both (-:

[@LakeNipissing]

"I think it's quite special." ... and the SPECIAL light illuminates!

[@armanelgtron4533]

Don't miss the fact that he has No Real Complaints about it!

[@helperguy1360]

That soft eject on the 8- track is incredible. I had an Electrophonic 8-track deck with an eject function and the tape practically shot out like a cannon!

[@scottls]

Leave it to you to find such a great-sounding tape deck by Soundesign. I've had SO MANY that did NOT perform nearly as nice as this.

[@BobbyLeeCarroll]

Hope you see this. I posted this to the author. Perhaps you might know. "Hope to hear back from you. I appreciate you taking the time to share this information. Thanks. Are you able to connect a record player, in my case an Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB to this unit in order to record on tape? Would you need the attenuator? Thanks ahead of time.

[@620film]

@@BobbyLeeCarroll , if your turntable has a built-in preamp, turn on the preamp, and then connect it to the inputs on the tape deck.

[@DriveInFreak]

I had one of those years ago, and (oddly enough) it's one of the best sounding 8-track decks I've ever heard, and I've had quite a few of them. There's two head adjustments on an 8-track deck; azimuth and height. Adjust the height for proper tracking (no crosstalk), and the azimuth for best treble response. Yes, it's a bit tricky and you may have to go back and forth a few times to get it just right, but it's worth it when you do. The cracked headshell is an easy fix. Just back out the screw on top, pull the head out of the shell (towards the door), superglue the hadshell, wait a day, slide the head back into place, GENITALLY tighten the screw to hold the head into place, then (of course) do an alignment. Good luck with it, and enjoy. While the cassette is so so on normal tape, the 8-track is outstanding....yea, that surprised me too. Thanks for all you do. Love your vids. Keep up the good work.

[@datassetteuser356]

I love the cylon-like "Tape Running" led bar.

[@moshezaharia4666]

I don't think these are LED's, it is a wheel or tube with spiral slot on it with incandesnt light behind.

[@BluRay_4]

I've opened one of these, its exactly like that

[@mph20000]

Gotta love those 1980s Night Rider -Tape running lights.

[@cirebyte7588]

Not too shabby! Sounds good with right type of tape.

[@emanuelecardia5687]

The tape green led are so bright and soft colour, the vu meter so good slowly moving and the red digital counter for a 8 cassette, in that time was something very rare to see, mayebe expensive, was technology for a middle class peoples! Very nice cassette deck, for collection!

[@ReallifeBambiDeerattheFarm1]

That's a nice looking Soundesign product. Always associated them with Wal-Mart or Kmart, low quality massed produced junk that ended up at yard sales and 2nd hand shops. This one actually looks nice and has a decent sound to it.

[@cjmarsh504]

I also saw this brand at Woolworths

[@ThriftyAV]

The inline attenuator is a much simpler solution to line level mismatch than the small mixing board I've been using. It will be worth it to pick one of these up. Nice demonstration of vintage gear!

[@GeoNeilUK]

Interesting channel name... Very interesting channel, have a sub!

[@superotterboy7937]

I was just about to comment "Techmoan would drool over this" when the clip of Techmoan popped up! Hahaha! This is a thing of beauty! Modern audio equipment has no class compared with these machines.

[@BertGrink]

I agree completely with your view on audio equipment.

[@superotterboy7937]

@@BertGrink Thank you, stranger.

[@rc52]

You always come up with some unusual & very interesting components! That is one handsome unit, never seen a combo like that! You channel is like the encyclopedia of audio gear from back in the day!!! Keep up the great uploads!!!

[@mufeedco]

Every time I watch here, I learn something new.

[@michaelharker6170]

Nice video. I love vintage electronics and appreciate that guys like you keep them surviving.

[@OnlyEdandTheAlmost]

I'm having a good time just hearing the words "tape deck." I owned a couple of "decks" back in the day and, as a teenager, I knew they were the coolest. After all, they weren't just a "player" -- they were a "deck."

[@josephpolaster7542]

Kmart was the biggest distributor of SD in 70s&80's. I always found something I liked from them. Mostly clock radios and all in one's.The Century and Brand Names catalog stores supplied them also.Never saw this unit but it would be mine if I did. Love LOVE it. Thank you!

[@jimmiesmith5811]

Yeah Zayers and Venture too I miss those days

[@cjmarsh504]

Also Woolworths too! Woow, I remember Zayres stores!

[@RecordKrate]

Thanks so much for sharing not only your knowledge but cool things over the years. 😎

[@millsyinnz]

Savannah, Georgia, Summer 1976. Having come home from a hard days work on a Friday night, Billy-bob sits outside on his verandah on his bench, taking in the early evening sunshine looking at the forest of willows across from his property, with the dulcet tones of the latest Reader's Digest pop country album being played on his Soundesign TX 0868, which was given to him and his wife, Ella-Jo as a wedding present the year before. As the first bars of Glen Campbell's "Galveston" faded up, he contemplated how far he had come, and where he was going, as he slowly sipped his can of beer. Great gadget. Sooo 70's,

[@cjmarsh504]

How did I miss this? That SounDesign is something to look at. now, they will become valuable now.

[@BertGrink]

yeah, the infamous VWestmoan/Techlife effect ;)

[@cjmarsh504]

@@BertGrink Exactly

[@VickyGeagan]

Kevin, that tape deck almost looks like the old Ken woods. Just the finish does. I really like it. You really can not beat that old equipment. Really good to listen to the old mono bubblegum music of the late 60's early 70's.

[@johnnytacokleinschmidt515]

8:25 Capstan Shaft. Great deck. I like it allot. Nice complement to a low or mid-fi system or console stereo. I want one.... Don't need one.... Probably will not find one. Thanks for sharing your interesting vintage electronics.

[@Jimmyhaflinger]

Soundesign were good people, they always made cheap but well made stuff and always pasted the schematic on the bottom

[@terrylockwood9176]

Well made? You must have bought different Soundesign stuff than I did back in the 80's, or you just got lucky. I never got anything good from that company lol

[@lesrogers7310]

Iv'e never head of Soundesign but then i'm from the UK. This looks and sounds like a great piece of kit.

[@clydesight]

What a nice machine! It looks nice, and sounds great! And, you explained it so clearly and thoroughly, I really enjoyed your video! Thanks!

[@Thanson199415]

7:07 Actually the speed adjustment for the motor is behind the Mabuchi sticker on the motor. The screw you're pointing at simply adjusts the clamping force against the bearing on the back of the flywheel.

[@Maxxeine]

Got some deja vu seeing the preview thumbnail of this in my feed; I thought this was a Techmoan video at first lol. Beastly machine though, absolutely gorgeous!

[@wilkes85]

That stereo is so cool! I've never seen such a feature-packed 8 track deck in my life. I wonder if Soundesign should have sold their higher end equipment under a different name though, so people don't confuse the higher end stuff with the cheaper stuff and then assume it's all junk, like what people generally think of Radio Shack gear... and speaking of which, the tape deck in your Soundesign has the same mechanism as in my Clarinette 101. That's pretty cool, they seem to be pretty reliable. As for the Billy Joel 8 track, yea that's why you check the splice first lol, I haven't seen 8 track in *years* that didn't need a new splice lol... but once you fix it it'll probably work for another 40 years.

[@nohrtillman8734]

Thumbs up just for the title! 😅😂 Only slightly more correct would have been “All your tape are belong to us!”

[@TheOriginalCollectorA1303]

Interesting tape deck! The aluminum front and the clean design is nice, plus it has the essential wood grain finish!

[@Re-Cycle.Shop2023]

I have this exact unit! It’s still working great! I use it almost daily.

[@gavincurtis]

Japan made stuff never gets old to look at inside. 9:10 Rick Sanchez would approve of that eject speed.

[@MichaelYates]

Nice unit, a in line attenuator is a great item to have in the collection for use with a lot of CD players on old amplifiers and cassette inputs

[@airplaneengine]

I've noticed many Soundesign devices have schematics attached to them somewhere. I've repaired those plastic headmounts with JB Weld with good success, all are still holding after doing so several years ago.

[@bugdrvr]

I'm surprised someone isn't making those again. Seems like they are broken on every 8 track of that era. Someone should tell the guy who makes those tiny replacement gears for turntables and cassette decks on eBay.

[@Rich_123]

10:25 "Peaking in the Red Zone" should be an album title.

[@hermanmunster3358]

What a quirky deck! The recordings sound great on the Maxell tape, and stability is VERY good, with no wow and flutter to speak of. Stereo separation is very good too. Living in the UK, the 8 Track system never really took off, and probably died as soon as cassettes hit the market. I am a child of the 70's, and certainly don't remember 8 Tracks being comminplace. As for Sanyo, personally, I never rated their products. They were always considered to be inferior to Sony, Philips, Panasonic etc. But what a find, thanks for uploading.

[@joog_is_not_okay]

Slugbug! I'd recognize that signature deep voice anywhere! Love the video man!

[@rockrollhi-figuy6824]

This is literally the only thing that has the Soundesign name on it that i would purchase! Its very cool! Great video! Ashame about your Billy Joel tape! Luckily, its an easy fix! One of the best albums by my all time favorite artist!

[@kins749]

I want one of those, combo 8 track and cassette, VU meter, brushed steel - it doesn't get any better!

[@andrewgamblin7264]

The sound quality on the Cicada Killer was ex Ellen, even via KZbin and a set of cheap wired earbuds.

[@worldgate989]

I love old hifi equipment and maybe those handles might be used for sliding the unit in and out of a rack storage.

[@jamesplotkin4674]

More to cause the illusion of rack modularity ;-)

[@nicholascortez728]

No one that bought this had a rack system. This is the 70s version of the Early 2000s mega bass stereos.

[@ComputerLearning0]

Beautiful deck.

[@ralphhoskins2115]

What a amazing piece of equipment,,, now ya just need to throw a period correct bsr / soundesign branded record changer on top and you will be in business... I love this old stuff... hopefully you do a video on the 8 track repair

[@tapemachinemusic2125]

I can hear the natural tape compression,thank you so much for sharing this video. I will try to find "soundesign TX 0868"

[@FeralDayASMR]

unbelievable to have such a great audio from cassetes^^

[@baardkopperud]

No that made me feel pretty nostalgic... even the CD-deck!

[@jamesplotkin4674]

Nice, clean device from way back.

[@BluRay_4]

i always liked soundesign's tape running indicator... they've used it in many of their tape decks but sadly no other brand used it

[@rockrollhi-figuy6824]

Its neat how it works too! If you ever get the chance, check it out

[@richardmorgan1588]

Perfect reference to Techmoan! I appreciate quirky content!

[@MatthewBrannigan]

Fully expecting the "VWestlife effect" - any examples of this on ebay will shoot to way beyond our means!!

[@ricketts223]

They just did...over 200 bucks now!!

[@Selrisitai]

@@ricketts223 That's all? If I were in the market for one of these, I'd consider a "very good" condition $200 unit to be an excellent, affordable price. A steal, even.

[@mcramp20]

Nice dual deck !little wow and flutter!

[@toasTr0n]

Great review! Looking forward to seeing how well it performs at recording on 8-track once you get the head carrier fixed, since 8-track is my main interest in tapes. 🙂

[@JessHull]

you always play such interesting music.

[@OntariosElevatorssince2013]

Damn, that is a gorgeous machine, even with its couple of shortcomings! That thing looks like one of Techmoan's wet dreams. The digital LED program indicator for the 8-track player is pretty cool, as that's something you almost never see. Also, now we need a video of that Technics CD player.

[@migalito1955]

Very nice. I'd be very happy to own it. Good luck on the head repair. Even though you probably will not use 8 track often it's so neat that being fully functional would be icing on the cake.

[@hogg6722]

I wish we had thrift stores in UK I love the old school technology!

[@MrDuncl]

We do, when they aren't locked down. You also have to know which ones sell electrical stuff as it has to be PAT (safety tested) so the buyer doesn't electrocute themselves. Sue Ryder and British Heart Foundation are two that sell electricals near here.

[@moshezaharia4666]

Amazing deck! great find!

[@spuds6423]

I had a lloyd's on but it also had a Turntable and amplifier....worked pretty well.

[@steviebboy69]

This old stuff surely looks so nice, I love old Moving needle VU meters, and all that Jazz. At first I thought wow Techmoan has another channel, when I moused over the video and saw him in it.

[@doctorwacky5680]

I remember these very well, they were sold in Meyer stores in Michigan. I think this thing was about $400, and it came with some halfway decent speakers to

[@rich_edwards79]

Beautiful machine. Though I rather like the look of the Sanyo too, a black fascia is quite futuristic for the 8-track era.

[@dominikmichalczak4941]

Hello @VWestlife! As said in 7:09, this screw is NOT for adjusting tape speed :). By this one you can align the clearance between the metal part and flywheel axis. This is a typical mid class quality mechanism which had many variations i believie it was made by Giken factory. They can be spotted in almost every Japanese radiorecorder from 70s/80s. For tape speed adjust all Mabuchi motors used in Hi Fi equipment have the pontentiometer under the Mabuchi sticker on the back plate.

[@vwestlife]

I discovered that tightening the screw will slow down the speed, but will also increase the wow & flutter. It does feel like there is an adjustment trimmer underneath the sticker on the motor.

[@dominikmichalczak4941]

@@vwestlife Yes it will slow down and increase the wow & flutter because it do unnecessary friction to the fly wheel axis. It's not good giving the motor and the belt more load because it will shorten their life. (Personally i set the clearance between 0,4mm or less. The flywheel must rotate freely without ant braking force.) The sticker may be quite hard to remove because they used very sticky glue :) After adjustment of the speed, it is worth to stick a glued tape so the dust will not come into the motor cabinet through the hole. Good luck!

[@thevacdude]

Thanks for the video, Kevin.

[@pipiferry]

My father bought two of those Technics CD players back in the day. He used them to play music at house parties ...

[@MinerAC4]

I also have a Fisher ER-8150 combo deck that looks similar to this one too. It has analog VU meters and the ability to record and play 8 tracks. It also has real dolby B for both the cassette and 8-track. It also has real woodgrain on the outside.

[@Not-Great-at-Gaming]

The "handle" on the 8 track side is likely to protect any tapes you have inserted, as well as any internal components, (i.e. heads) that could be damaged it the tape was forced too far into the player.

[@bf0189]

I love old early 2000s memes as it was my adolescence era. Spent way too much time on forums, AIM and IRC later! My friends dad had a cool Sounds Design stack from the same era and it's still pretty functional! I have nothing to complain about the brand tbh

[@DRDCC]

Hi Kevin, The repair of the broken head holder is indeed a bit tricky. We had a similar problem with our 8 track and glue only did not help us. The combination of glue and electrical tape wrapped around it did and holds it in place. Not the nicest solution, but it has been working for a couple of years now.

[@vintageceilingfans]

I think JB Weld would be more appropriate, perhaps along with a piece of metal to help keep the frame together

[@super-gerald]

I absolutely love this unit. It's the only 8 track deck I've seen with a digital track indicator. Hope you get the 8 track section fixed up.

[@135ballu]

Nice video sir, that BT62 head and these decks were the heavy weight champions of those old days. unlike those plastic RX machines these ones never needed much of work to keep em running, Nearly 25 years ago we used to make diy decks, STK459 or upc 1230 based output and these machines, still working to this day(belt head and roller are usual change). and 7:08 that is not for adjusting the motor speed :) . motor may have a preset based speed control under the sticker.

[@nazcaplain]

I bought that Slugbug LP on Bandcamp thx to you. Go you!

[@stevengelatzku2288]

It´s beautiful!

[@jro7075]

Hello to VWESTLIFE !!! still enjoying your videos ,and I was surprised to find a soundesign unit that was a high quality unit ,I remember selling this brand at the record store I worked in after school they sure were cheap looking but this one impressed me alot did not know they could make a unit like this I like it alot ,it really looks great and sounds impressive JRo

[@jro7075]

To VWESTLIFE also wanted to thank you on your many videos I have been watching lately now some are old some are new I like to watch them to relax sometimes ,I saw von one of your videos how you found a zenith TT It looked like the BSR type of player I remember my father having several of them when growing up I did not know they made them with the magnetic type of cartridge I to bought a crosley stac-o-matic cause of your video it bought back a lot of memories mine was pretty much unused and I got it on Ebay I even replaced the cartidge it came with to a better ceramic cartridge the flip type with diamond stylus and metal cantilever and 78 stylus on other it sounds better but I am saving it as a collctors item for my daughters I bought a used BSR with a ceramic and mag cartridge Ia while back just got them running thanks to you I did not think I could fix them but you inspired me to try I was shocked to find they both work ,I would like to know your opinion on the BSR with mag cart I see nothing wrong with them they place tone arm better than I would so far my 45's and lp's have not scratched yet and my counterwieght is adjustable the cartridge I am using is an old empire cart with conical stylus I was plying it today ,wow it sounded pretty good at 2and half grams I saw or heard nothing wrong ,I used to be an audiofool swearing on never using subpar TT's but I am sick of these manuals TT's you sit down and you get up again and they charge soo much for a simple tonearm and platter there specs are not as good as the old TT's I checked the spec on my bsr TT it is way better if you can find a way to give me info onwhy they are condidered bad I would be gratefull to know and thanks for you many videos like I said I watch them after a rough day at work and they are great and I can't get enough thanks JRo

[@yorgle]

LOVE that "tape running" indicator! Can you show more detail about how they accomplished that light sequencing? I'm guessing it's a wheel in front of the light pipes that blocks light from a bulb?

[@vwestlife]

Yes, it's just a light bulb shining through a spinning wheel with a spiral cutout in it to alternately block and let through the light.

[@bob7872]

I'd love to get a deck like that! Nice 👍

[@MaxStax1]

I had no idea Soundesign ever made any quality equipment. Interesting. My first stereo was a cheap Soundesign receiver, 8-track, turntable combo that a local discount store sold. It might have been cheap but it got used a heck of a lot.

[@DanOConnorTech]

Nice deck. Those cracked plastic bits are the bane of old 8-track units everywhere. It's the rare unit that hasn't cracked. There's a 1990's movie (Journey To The Center of the Earth) where one of the characters says about volcanology: It was a failed idea, like the Berlin Wall or 8-Tracks."

[@victorjohnson7512]

I had a soundesign 8-trac reciever back in the 1970s.

[@dougbrowning82]

Soundesign is still around, only it's called SDI Technologies now. They sell under the iHome, Timex, and ekids brands.

[@steverose798]

That tape deck sounds amazing, especially as you had to scrape the dirt off the head with your finger nail! Shame about the 8 track (and your Billy Joel cart) but worth it for the tape deck alone.

[@fartman1510]

Oh so gorgeous.

[@jpolar394]

It was very unusual to see any 8 track player with a record feature on any players back then. I remember paying my friend 2 bucks to use his father's 8 track player/recorder to record a 10 Years After Live double album so I can listen to it in my car.

[@jpolar394]

@Fenderking It was a double album.

[@neckwear]

The Maxell XL II was always my go to for mix tapes.

[@migueldoliveiracomposer]

That is one gorgeous machine. Nothing Apple makes comes close.

[@scothohl4586]

People knocked Soundesign but I have to tell you I had nothing but good luck with their stuff!

[@yanks1fan09]

My dad used to sell these wholesale in NY back in the 1970's and early 80's. It was quite popular. Nice find.

[@BruceTheSillyGoose]

would love to have heard the 8-track quality, i remember working at a radio shack store in the 70s, we had a "clarinette" model compact stereo 8-track unit that actually had sparkling trebles and very low noise with a standard [no dolby] 8-track tape. but i also heard other units that were dogs.

[@KanawhaCountyWX]

Clint would be drooling over his IBM Model M.

[@ModMokkaMatti]

When he's not smelling it?

[@fsfs555]

I picked up something similar a while back but it's made by Onkyo. It also has real Dolby NR (at least on the cassette side). I haven't torn into it too much yet. Anyway the 8-track's plastic head mount is a huge problem in most "newer" 8-track players made by any number of suppliers. It cracks because it's under tension (that screw at the top) and eventually weakens and snaps. The original design was metal but it was changed to plastic as a cost-saving measure. You could possibly fix it by using a reinforcing metal band around the outside of it but you'd be better off finding someone who can make a metal replica.