Ampex 440-B vs 440-C reel to reel recorder

[@martytrain]

Memories of a time when this had to be done regularly. I always used to clean the heads and pinch roller first.

We had 4 Ampex 440B's when I worked at legendary Boss Radio KYNO-Fresno. Loved those machines! Great memories!!

[@rmcreal]

THE BEST !!!

@@rmcreal yes sir!

[@williammanganaro9070]

Really enjoyed watching the calibration process. Very nice deck !! Thank you.

[@johnkaplun9619]

Never understood why people consider an azimuth adjustment such a big deal. Seems pretty straightforward to me and conceptually less complicated than bias!

[@dale116dot7]

One thing that is nice with the 440C is you can use something like a Lynx Timeline to lock it to another machine (it uses a 9600 Hz reference). I use my 440C a lot for edits, I fly stuff off my 24 track to one track of the 440C (time code on the other track) for edits.

[@Beenjamn]

is it possible to sync to pro tools like this?

[@dale116dot7]

@@Beenjamn Yes if you can get a couple of Lynx Timeline synchronizers and get SMPTE timecode out of PT. I am all analogue, all tape, but I know a few studios that have tape chase a DAW.

[@ronanzann4851]

What sounds better, the 440-B....or a chainsaw ?.......or a recording of a chainsaw on a 440-C ?

[@dannycesena8768]

Great video. Do you ever have to replace those trim pots on the eq cards? Feel like mine are intermittent.

[@jonlocker]

Any ideas on a gravel sound from the record head? We have it isolated to the record head. Sounds like rubbing somewhat. 440C

[@robertpincus6528]

Your speakers look really good. What are they?

[@DrSteveAllen]

I've had so much difficulty aligning my 440. Thank you for this video. The manual wasn't really clear on what to do on step 14. :)

[@LosFicosMusic]

I have a question.. If i buy the 440 just the preamp can I still get that sound? Or the tape is what produces the hi-Fi

[@sansvermillion]

​@@LosFicosMusic the amps have a "sound", but I have not reached for it specifically or missed it on something, the tape part is more interesting to me. I think that powing them might require some rewiring for standalone use.

[@dubdoodle7191]

Is the 'B' direct drive reel & capstan motors ?

[@wado1942]

I have a 440C-2/4 and LOVE IT! I've made a few videos about it myself. I've sold off all my tape machines except for that one and it still gets somewhat regular use. Thank you for mentioning the "tails-out" bit, not a lot of people know that these days. I had MRL custom make me an NAB/IEC 5-tone tape with white noise (really helps azimuth) and 20Hz-20KHz sweep. Worth every penny! What do you think about people biasing to peak level at 700Hz? I've never done it but it seems dubious. Thank you for posting this cool vid!

[@LosFicosMusic]

Is it possible to just run the amps without the tape? For that sound?

[@wado1942]

@@LosFicosMusic Honestly, "that sound" comes from the musicians, the studio, the mics, the tape recorders etc. the whole workflow. When people hire me to lay their bedroom DAW mixes to tape, they come out the other side still sounding like bedroom DAW mixes. The tape changes the sound *a little*. The recorders' amps hardly change the sound at all. Remember, professional gear is designed to be as close to "input=output" as possible.

[@WIVBENGENGINEERING]

When setting up record on any 2 track 1/4 inch reel to reel at 7.5 ips.......check 700 Hz (or 1000 Hz) at 0 VU for operating reference level .......but frequency response tests should be recorded ( 30 to 20K) at -10 VU generally @ 185 or 250 nWb/M to set up flat response.....If you are running 15 or 30 IPS , all tones are recorded at 0VU......BTW 3.75 IPS is done at -20VU................For reference, 700 Hz was chosen by Ampex because it is in between the HI and LO EQ

[@gixerman01]

Where’s the chain saws and motorcycle wheelies? Is this channel even still around? I want to see a boat motor!

[@allanblack294]

Very interesting thanks. In 1968 in Sydney, we had 2 brand new 440-B mono recorders direct from Ampex and the problem was, in rewind the supply motors did not have enough rewind torque. With a full 10” supply reel, running about 100’ onto the take up reel, then stopping and pressing rewind, nothing happened, we had to hand wind to get the tape started into rewind mode. We never cured this problem, very embarrassing in front of the client. I was too young to raise hell with Ampex, anyone else heard of this problem?

[@dale116dot7]

I have the same problem. I flip the opposing reel switch to small reel to let it get going. I’m planning on replacing my 440C with a Stephens, I already use a 24 track, looking at a 2 or 4 track 1/2 inch.

[@shawnsulliv]

This is great!

[@mr.thomas5186]

Awesome! How do I get you to restore my 10 hp Evinrude fastwin? I mechanically overhauled it 5 years ago but don't have paint chrome and decal skills or equipment. Really enjoy your videos on chainsaws and outboards.

[@bigdmc1]

I just don't have the time

[@UnjuAVintage]

good tutorial👍 I have a 440B and would like to tune it up. well aligned. but I am missing a tape that has all the frequencies recorded to align it and the frequencies to record. do you have any for sale? or some address where to find it? thanks.

[@bigdmc1]

You can order MRL calibration tapes from such places as full compass I do not sell them

[@UnjuAVintage]

@@bigdmc1 ok thank you👍

[@kjpecho]

BigD, im in the middle of following your calibration/alignment on the 440c, what size nut driver do you use on the azimuth? Ive tried every nut driver and even ordered a new nut driver set an everything ive tried is either too large in diameter to fit in that hole to get down to the nut or the hex size is too small. would appreciate your input.

[@bigdmc1]

I just used a quarter inch craftsman socket on an extension

[@kjpecho]

bigdmc1 yes come to find out many have said to take a bench grinder to thin out the wall of my 1/4” nut driver. Everything i tried had to heavy of a wall to fit through that small hole to get down to the azimuth nut. Thanks for your video and for your reply. I greatly appreciate it. Have a great day sir

[@cardinhamkilligrew9712]

question. I was in a band in the late 80's. we did a demo on ampex 456 tape....I think it was a 4 or 8 track. How can I get a digital recording?

[@bigdmc1]

Cardinham Killigrew You’ll have to find somebody with the same type of machine it was recorded on and play it back while you record it onto a CD or something like that my guess is the tape maybe bad so it may need baked before it can be used

[@MegaDirtyberty]

Any plans to restore more chainsaws?.

[@ortonix]

Kolekcjoner z Polski pozdrawia i również czeka na kolejne - BIG DMC Restore.

[@MegaDirtyberty]

@@ortonix Czy czekasz również na filmy z piłą łańcuchową ?.

[@burns46824]

Which sounds better?

[@bigdmc1]

Tyler Burns They both sound the same

[@airbornefishing4871]

I know you are not sell your reels but I have a reel made by penn I see what you do with older reels and I would like to ask if you could modify my out. If not thanks keep on making great videos

[@bigdmc1]

Airborne Fishing Sorry but I do not have time to mod any reels at this time

[@airbornefishing4871]

bigdmc1 it all good thanks so much love your videos

[@richardhoughtenmusic]

thank you for this!

[@marisagarcia7046]

I buy storage lockers and came across of ampex receivers i have 1 to 8 reel to reel 440 and way to much to list im going to put them for sale soon

[@5thcomm]

Nice

[@RobotPete]

Big DMC!