Bang & Olufsen Beocord 2400 tape recorder demonstration

The Beocord 2400 was at its launch in 1969 the flagship when it came to tape recorders from the Danish Bang & Olufsen company. It was manufactured for a couple of years in the 1970s before being replaced by the more compact Beocord 1600 model. The machine features 3 tape speeds, stereo recording and playback, as well as a rich set of features such as 4 stereo inputs with mixing, Sound on Sound and echo, and includes a power amplifier with connections for two sets of speakers. It was available in 2 and 4 track versions; this particular model features is the 4 track version, with 3 tape heads. Slightly surprising, the tape drive is completely mechanical with a single motor providing all the functions. These machines were very well engineered, with excellent quality rubber being used for the idlers and pinch roller, so they are still operational in this day and age, although it must be said that the drive train does not have a lot of margin for the increased friction in bearings and decreased friction in rubber parts due to aging, and so will often require some adjustment and refurbishment.

[@BertGrink]

This machine has always been my "Holy Grail" of vintage tape recorders,so to speak. It's just such a beautiful piece of machinery. Interesting side note: Did you now that the electronics for the mixer section was built in a modular fashion? It was made so in order to customise the machine for different purposes; you could for example have microphone preamplifiers on all the stereo channels and use it to record a small band live. Or you could swap the modules out and have line level modules on all channels. Or even RIAA modules on all channels. All the different modules were available separately. Thanks for posting this video. Greetings from Denmark.

[@clausroed4215]

I have one as well (used to have two actually). My model is a 4 track, but has an extra switch so it can playback 2 track tapes. I also have two RIAA input modules, as I was using it in a small mobile discotheque. Unfortunately, only the tape speed 19 cm/s work well, the two other tape speeds at running too slow, due to mechanical issues. So, if anyone has good suggestions as how to repair it, I am all ears to hear. Regards Claus

[@mUbase]

Great demonstration of a lovely machine, very informative thanks.

[@sharonlee4773]

Informative,many thanks. Do you know what model was the prior one to this that used up the full width that you meantion? regards W

[@ricardlupus]

That would be the Beocord 2000 De Luxe, which was a two track machine, with additional 4 track playback head. I believe the 2400 was also available with this configuration, but I don't think the 2000 De Luxe was available in a 4-track only configuration.

[@sharonlee4773]

@@ricardlupus Many thanks!

[@eddionrodanronnie]

I have this model with a lid & I don't use it Any idea what I can do with it

[@enedenedubedene4811]

Am besten verschrotten 😱😱😱 Viele Grüsse aus Germany

[@paulgreen6302]

Fancy joysticks.no mess.

[@enedenedubedene4811]

Wie reinigt man an dieser Fehlkonstruktion die Tonköpfe?🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 Viele Grüsse aus Germany

[@ricardlupus]

Ganz einfach: (Hintere) Tonkopfabdeckung nach oben abziehen, dann Tonköpfe reinigen mit Wattestäbchen und Isopropanol.

[@enedenedubedene4811]

@@ricardlupus Schau mal bitte das Video noch mal genau an. Wenn man diese Tonkopfabdeckung abnimmt, kommt man an die Tonkopfspiegel trotzdem nicht ran, weil diese von der unteren Abdeckung verdeckt werden. Erst wenn man diese ebenfalls abrschraubt, kommt man an die Vorderseite der Tonköpfe ran.