Technics RS-B12 cassette deck review & test

[@atco21117]

Hi - I've talked to younger people who want to start collecting classic music from the 50s-80s, and have asked me what is the best and how to get into vinyl. I tell them that if they don't have a collection of vinyl yet, I tell them to go with cassettes instead. In my opinion, cassettes are the buy to go for to collect. Generally the players are working fine, and can pick them up at Thrift stores or Goodwill for around $10-20. Tapes are easily available and cheap. Well less then a buck, and on Yard Sales they go for 25c each. The best units will probably sound from the 80s, but the 70s units with the VU meters are more collectable. I got about a half dozen units myself. Course, I'm kinda an 8-track guy too, but that's another story. See ya -- Atco

[@Thanson199415]

Believe me, I have some cassettes that boggle my mind in sound quality, but that first cassette you played brought chills down my back. Cassettes CAN sound really gooood as long as you have a proper deck and no cheap DC Bias recorder or cheap cassette player. I'm glad I got my self a cassette deck for my stereo system, (it's not the best out there) but it has AC Bias and makes cassettes sound FLAWLESS. Love AC Bias all the way!

[@HamtaroEL]

DC erase and DC bias tape decks are to be avoided altogether.

[@Aidan_B_Young]

The Technics cassette deck I used to own had auto-reverse, and I made the mistake of using it when recording tapes. When playing these older recordings back on my current deck, which doesn’t have auto-reverse, I’ve noticed that side b has noticeably lower sound quality than side a. So yeah, I agree with you on staying away from decks with that feature.

[@43128lucky4]

technics always made some of the best budget to midrange electronics in the 80s, i love their products

[@HamtaroEL]

43128lucky4 Their midrange decks have bias adjust but single capstan.

[@stevesstuff1450]

@43128lucky4: Yes, yes indeed they did! And this example is a perfect example - I know I'm watching 3 years later than this video was posted, but all the same, after 30-odd years, that Technics deck sounded great, and seemed mechanically as good as when is left the factory all those years ago! Can't fault Technics gear for reliability, and performance, if handled properly... ;-)

[@swathydas6711]

I just got a technics rs D 200. It is very good indeed. Has sound quality, which will impress everyone.

[@EzeeLinux]

I had two of these... Great, simple decks. Yes, the Dolby B only decks consistently perform better than the ones with C and I don't like auto reverse for the same reasons you pointed out. Great score. :)

[@maxmustardman298]

Joe Collins dolby b and c decks might sound worse than dolby b only because they share a common circuit. Few decks have a seperated circuit for each nr channel.

[@Badassvidsz]

Guys i have the aiwa ad-f 850 since 1995-1996 with dolby b and c As many times i was expirementing with recordings from my cd player or turntable in all cassete types with both dolbies to see which is better never saw any signifigant difference but never noticed either if dolby c was worst Of course i don't know if my deck uses seperate circuits for dolby b and c like < Max Mustermann > said for some decks ...... if somembody knows if my deck uses seperate circuits just let me know and much appreciated ..thx :-)

[@megabojan1993]

01:26 I hear with my little ear a Windows 7 startup sound :)

[@BeautifulAngelBlossom]

or vista

[@connorm955]

@@BeautifulAngelBlossom Most likely 7, which he doesn't mind even thought he prefers XP.

[@BeautifulAngelBlossom]

@@connorm955 Windows XP is obsolete for daily use in 2021 back on the video was posted Windows XP was still okay to use I don't even know why anybody would still choose to use XP and 2021 as a daily use computer

[@65CJ5]

How do you find things like this at thrift stores? Around here all the thrift stores have are ugly knickknacks and old lady underwear. I never see cassette decks on the shelves!

[@swamysaranam9609]

This model was quite famous in 90's for recording purpose. I have one bought in 2001 for just 20 dollars from a recording centre.

[@KamionKing]

Can someone tell me how to connect my phone aux jack into this decks' mic port. I don't hear any music out of them. Thank you

[@vwestlife]

The microphone jacks are only for connecting microphones. To record from a smartphone, use a stereo 3.5mm to 2 RCA cable and connect it to the tape deck's playback output on the back.

[@Vintageelectronics2296]

That tape is that were you got your name from

[@emancaindec9731]

7:32 one of my favorite 80's jams from my childhood. That's enough to make me like this video. More cassette deck reviews pls. :)

[@hermannschottler9396]

I have the pretty similar RS-B18 in daily use and I`m very happy with it.

[@kthwai]

I just demagnetized the tape head of my Denon deck last nite. Today, watching this video just remind me of how I miss my Technics soft touch mechanism. It was much better for editing, because it can precisely connect and resume the recording, and I never had that kind of mechanism in my other newer cassette decks anymore.

[@DVaEtc]

I never get tired of your videos

[@JohnAudioTech]

I have a Sharp RT-160 that has the soft touch controls. It uses the drive motor to operate them. You can hear the motor running inside at all times when the unit is powered on. I also avoid auto reverse decks for the same reason.

[@50LightSabersInAPack]

Nice bit of Westlife at the end :)

[@eggshellskullrule7971]

Your first tape demo in this vid, at 5:48, Hooked on Classics, gave me all thumbs up for this deck. I have been lisyening to it since.1983 or so when its LP version first camr out. Wow.

[@FrightfulAccountant]

I always found that soft one touch record button next to the play was a dangerous thing :')

[@oracleofottawa]

I have a Technics RS-B10. These are great value machines with awesome heads for way above average fidelity. The build quality is also way beyond average also....

[@VIDSTORAGE]

Sounds great and plays accurate ..Old cassette decks were made to perform ..

[@nickersonw10]

I just picked up the rs-b14 today from a local record store and it seems pretty much identical to this except it has Dolby B+C. I am happy to find you did a favorable video on a similar model to what I just got!

[@Larryguitargod]

I have the same EXACT one...it's very nice

[@irtbmtind89]

RIP Technics. They made amazing stuff.

[@Musicradio77Network]

irtbmtind89 Technics is not dead, but they still make the classic SL-1200 turntable, the best sounding turntable ever made.

[@Badassvidsz]

Technics came back again check here : kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIumln-Xn5qjb7c&app=desktop

[@life5161]

My number 2 favorite U Tube channels: VWestlife and Techmoan. Can watch both these channels most obsessively. 😆 LOVE IT!!

[@jackallen6261]

I just picked up a JVC that looks really similar to this, I haven't tried it yet but so far every tape deck I've bought has worked flawlessly. it was 4$

[@alankearton8284]

It's amazing how great cassettes can sound. They got a bad rap for being hussy and fuzzy but in the right conditions, cassette can rival CD or maybe even a budget vinyl setup.

[@rc52]

I record off the radio on my cassette deck (JVC TD-W309) a lot from this station that transmits there signal to the highest level & I can honestly say that they do sound as clean as cd's but with an analog sound. Word around town is that they might make a comeback. Hope so...

[@WOSArchives]

Roberto Cintron Yep. Cassettes are a classic case of "if it works, it works *GOOD*"

[@rc52]

Lxurious Life Hasta - Floral, excellent. Where can I buy it? Hopefully other record labels will pick up on it...

[@rc52]

TheDutchOwner's Tech Channel I believe you, because I have the NAD 3155 integrated amp & I also record from the radio but it's a "separate" tuner (Rotel) from this station that transmits there signal to the highest quality & I get crystal clear tapes. I went through a similar experience, my friend thought I was playing a cd, it was actually a cassette tape.

[@punishedexistence]

I still use tapes, they worked great for me back as a kid and honestly, they still are the easiest to repair, easy to edit and sound great. Why change...if it worked great back then it'll still work today. I still use VHS too for my TV shows n stuff, I keep the VCR in top shape, worked great since '98. Oh I've had DVR's, DVD recorders, everything, but for price, simplicity and quality, good ol analog magnetic media works fine for me.

[@joshua.duque.sarmiento1115]

My cassettes (some of my tapes are so old, typically from the 80s and 90s) also have DOLBY B noise reduction, so when I play them into the tape deck like that one I can also turn on the DOLBY B Noise Reduction to make it SOUNDS DIGITAL!!! CASSETTES ALSO HAVE DTS-HD MASTER AUDIO ENCODING, TO MAKE THE DIGITAL SURROUND SOUND STEREO MORE FLAVORFUL!!! SO ENTHUSIASTS WANT TO CONNECT THEIR TAPE DECK INTO THE HOME HI-FI MINI COMPONENT SYSTEM.

[@misterrocks3035]

On the topic of 'flippy head' cassette decks, one of the worst mechanisms I ever witnessed was on a Panasonic stereo. On that the auto-reverse head parked in a sort of lopsided halfway position between Side A & B playback. When you commanded any of its functions (play forwards/backwards, FF, RW, Stop or Eject) the mechanism was arranged such that that the head flipped back and forth a few times, and the mechanism raised. For a FF/RW or Eject operation, having gone through all that, it would then continue to drop the mechanism, flip the head around a few more times and finally carry out whatever you'd told it to do in the first place. You could probably count on one hand how many times you could command the tape transport before the thing slapped the head out of alignment from all the frantic head-flipping it was doing.

[@TremiRodomi]

Do you mind digtalizing some of those tapes? I like that classical music tape.

[@Appleboy78165]

5:53 Every time I hear that music I think of The Spy Who Loved Me, when Stromberg drops the woman into the shark pool

[@TheJaHa5]

Not a wow, and not a flutter!! That Dolby B is something else, I mean It sounds really good!!

[@Nico93]

i remembered seeing a vcr once who also had those moveing lights on it.

[@mikescott7109]

I have the TECHNICS RS-B-14 are these an ez fix ? my record head is recording muffled tested more then 1 blank tape love these models

[@ciprianwinerElectronicManiac]

I have the RS-B18 tape deck. It's a really awesome tape deck. I have restored it and it now works awesome. Cheers :)

[@DJPenguino51]

Yeah, you got lucky! Great find and take good care of it because they don't make 'em like they used to!

[@DESUDESU24]

Actually, the timer notation on the Play button, it's not for use in a timer (although that is an advantage of the soft-touch buttons). If you look at the thin lines above the play button it points to the rewind and FF buttons, so if you press all 3 at the same time it puts the play head in the pause position for a few seconds, then automatically engages the playback head after that time has elapsed. Source: My father has one of these in good condition.

[@that_laughing_hyena]

i've heard that older cassette decks wasn't has good has newer ones so if this is true my high end pioneer ct-f1000 from 1978 is not has good has a cassette deck from the late 80's and is it really necessarily to have a dolby C noise reduction to have great recordings quality or can i still have a descent quality with only a dolby B noise reduction ?

[@okbridges]

I have a TEAC A-800 from 1978 that is way better than any of the early to mid 80’s I’ve ever had. Dual motor, three head, dual capstan. The flywheel weighs almost two pounds, so playback is rock solid, no wow or flutter. The transport chassis is heavy gauge steel, built like a tank. If your Pioneer is near the top like my TEAC, then it is a quality deck.

[@Vintageelectronics2296]

What kind of tape deck does this unit have in it

[@deeppurplefan9648]

I dont know so much about casette desk but what is the main point with double casette deck?

[@VazDraeStudios]

Yesss Johnny Hates Jazz. Shattered Dreams is like one of my all time favs. Decks sounds lovely.

[@leostechnikkanal]

Yes! Lovely music, and a lovely deck!

[@Musicradio77Network]

I do have my Technics cassette deck, but it's not the exact model, it's a model RS-B11W and it's also a dual cassette deck. It uses the same exact piano key type buttons and fluorescent peak level meter than this one which is kinda similar. This was made around 1985 or so, but it came with the original instructions which is still good. It also features ATS (Automatic Tape Selector) with not bias required which can be used for any type of bias including normal, high (chrome) or metal. This unit is quite different than this one.

[@fthprodphoto-video5357]

Thanks a lot for this review I am planning to use the RS-B10 to copy old cassettes on my computer with audacity. Just one question, if I play a cassette that hasnt been encoded to play Dolby B, how will the sound be affected if I switch the Dolby B button ON anyways on a non-dolby B cassette ?

[@vwestlife]

If you switch on Dolby on a tape that was not recorded with Dolby encoding, the sound will be muffled (loss of treble).

[@fthprodphoto-video5357]

VWestlife I just realized that but it removes also quite a bit of hiss. I also tried a noise reduction setting in audacity that works but I am affraid it distorts the sound even if it's hard to hear.

[@HandyAndyTechTips]

I love that 1963 Billboard Top Rock 'n' Roll Hits album :-) I have it on CD, and it's awesome. Probably the best in the series.

[@musicnerd72]

Could you do a video with the top off? I had an AKAI deck in the mid '80's which I'm pretty sure was made by Matsushita. There's no solenoids, it's just gear induced soft touch controls... when you hit play, it sounds just like the AKAI I had... there's one large gear that runs off the flywheel gear to engage the operations... just curious if this is the same mechanism... ;-)

[@vwestlife]

There are several other videos showing the internals of Technics cassette decks.

[@AsBi1]

i wish i could have all that stuff too. really love the technology of past

[@EthanLong]

I just bought one of these from a thrifty, wondering is there's a way to control pitch as the tapes are playing a bit faster than they should. (this is why I got rid of my old one too...)

[@ethan043]

+Ethan Long You would have to open it up and adjust the speed of the motor which is a potentiometer on the back of it.

[@Otho666]

he briefly talks about the “service use only” hole in the video and mentioned the fact that you could adjust the playback speed with a long screwdriver.

[@washysama]

great score, I got a technics m225 for $10 usd, at a flea market very similar to this but has knobs instead of sliders, so I think is a previous model to this one...

[@bobskie321]

I bought a Technics cassette deck model RS-BX501 about a month ago. It's auto reverse and the azimuth screws still have their lock tight seal which means that it's never been adjusted and it has Dolby NR B & C. I bought it for Php500 ($12.00 US). It sounds great but I have to use a step down transformer from 220 volts to 100 volts (Japan).

[@jj-jo6wr]

you play all the pre recorded tape with dolby on?

[@brydon10]

Should I use Dolby NR-B if the cassette doesn't say Dolby B on it? I've tried pressing it on three different cassettes now (no indication the package or cassette of any Dolby B) and I think they sound better with NR turned off.

[@vwestlife]

If it's a pre-recorded tape from the 1990s from a Sony-owned record label, then it was recorded with Dolby B NR encoding even if it doesn't say so. Otherwise, it probably wasn't.

[@jaykay18]

It's been a long time; I forgot how GOOD tapes can actually sound. So rich, so vibrant--that's because it's all *analog*! Analog beats digital, always.

[@DimensionDude]

So much *WIN* in one video, I wish that it was possible to give it more than one Like.

[@wilkes85]

Nice tape deck! Whenever I find a seemingly nice one at the thrift store, it's always broken when I test it out. When I was a kid, we had an auto-reverse boombox with the flippy head... it didn't get knocked out of alignment, but the mechanism would get stuck half way. I have an auto-reverse Walkman with a fixed head, with all four tracks on it... that should have been standard, since it's a lot more reliable. 1:26 Windows Vista?

[@vwestlife]

I had a Seiko stereo system which had the four-track head for auto-reverse. I think hi-fi cassette decks avoided using that design because cramming both sides into one head means the coils will be smaller and thus probably won't sound as good.

[@wilkes85]

vwestlife OOh I see, I never thought of that. I guess that's why so many higher end cassette decks had the flip head... I've even seen some that flip the actual cassette itself! That's probably also the reason why there has never been an 8 track player with a fixed head, and all 8 tracks on it! (None that I know of, anyway). That would cut back on a lot of mechanical issues, but it might not sound as good.

[@HamtaroEL]

+vwestlife Nakamichi Dragon crammed both sides onto one head.

[@matmroy]

Very nice deck. They have quality built right in back then.

[@SirJeff]

2:08 I guess for your deck it does, but I do doubt that soft touch controls used solenoids... I recently did a belt change on an Aiwa AD-F260 and how it worked for that deck was that when the play button was pressed, the motor would be powered which turns the capstan flywheel. The flywheel has "slots" (I don't know what to call it) where another belt is placed to turn some gears that control the mechanism. Still, great review and vid. Definitely would choose this deck over that Aiwa one. Despite it having one of those DX heads with fine bias adjustment along with Dolby B and C, the controls are made of very flimsy and cheap plastic. Cassette door is cheap, also unremovable and doesn't even have soft eject...

[@jwoolery99]

1:26 Sounds like Windows Vista/7 in the background. :P

[@markcovington8159]

Hey VWestlife. What do you do about how to fix any cassette tapes that slip or squeal while they're playing?

[@vwestlife]

Lots of suggestions here: www.soundonsound.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=36480

[@skipperbentdk]

How "bad" are casette tapes compares to CD or LP's (you did a video where you compared CD's to LP's) - i'm kinda curious where it fits in. I guess in the lower end?

[@vwestlife]

See Techmoan's video "Cassettes, better than you don't remember".

[@skipperbentdk]

vwestlife Thanks - will check that out :)

[@oracleofottawa]

On a decent deck cassette tapes are very very close to LP's. The early tapes from the 1970's have a warmth and magic all their own which you have to hear to believe...

[@HamtaroEL]

@@oracleofottawa especially 12inches in 78rpm at best or 45rpm at worst.

[@NoetzkahunaL]

Excellent presentation..hopefully picking one up on 7/10/21. thanks for your time.

[@Jallge]

This is exactly the kind of cassette deck that I've been looking for. It really is in great condition, and possibly completely unused, just like the Sony VCR that I got recently. Do you suppose the thrift store took it out of the box and put it on the shelf?

[@vwestlife]

The heads were dirty, so it has been used.

[@leonardoantonio8756]

I have a Technics M22 I guess older than the one you have. It records cassettes with an amazing quality. It has the same peak graphic display

[@DVaEtc]

What would've the din connector been for?

[@vwestlife]

Audio input/output. It was a standard in the 1970s through mid-1980s, especially in Europe.

[@archivestereo]

Thanks - this is helpful. Just got a RS-B14 that adds Dolby B & C, but otherwise same deck. It sounds really good in your demo!

[@briant333]

Look out for the Technics M258R which is auto reverse but has 2 sets of fixed heads instead of the rotating head. This B12 is a nice deck for a low end model.

[@briant333]

That's true, I just mentioned the 258 because it was also a Technics.

[@HamtaroEL]

A four track head or that type used by Technics and Sony with their dual head Walkmans are the best solution for bi-directional type.

[@HamtaroEL]

The equivalent to that in the Walkman world is the WM-EX999.

[@HamtaroEL]

@@Dan-TechAndMusic Akai and Philips too.

[@Leesherwood]

That deck sounds wicked good for a youtube broadcast

[@rc52]

Excellent find Mr. vwestlife! I have the Technics M218 and it sounds excellent as well, same thing, Dolby B only. But the only thing is that the interconnects are soldered to the back & you don't have that luxury of changing them easily. But I do some serious listening & they do sound very natural & clean!

[@XuxsoadSh4nker]

Do You Record With Technics RS-B12

[@kodymackey5197]

what is the name of the last 2 songs?

[@HamtaroEL]

Johnny Hates Jazz: Shattered Dreams and Westlife: If I Let You Go.

[@XMguy]

Nice deck! I like the units with the controls out of usual order. But also like auto-reverse. Nice you were able to get those tapes so cheap too. Have to check my local Goodwill! I like that Shattered Dreams song too, think that was a one hit wonder for them....?

[@RogelioPerea]

It pays to ride the trailing edge of technology!

[@caragroves7196]

did you know that cassettes are coming back right now

[@emanuelmontejano4610]

Looks just like my Technics Rs-B16 same layout pretty much, except my b16 has the DBX noise reduction and the Dolby system ...it is a great deck plays awesome.

[@NelsonBigGunP200Fan]

Nakamichi makes a deck that is a TRUE auto reverse deck. The dragon. It retailed for a LOT, you can find them on ebay serviced and 100% working for 1300$. I guess the mechanism flips the tape itself around instead of flipping the heads and the direction. I want it but cannot afford it. its a TRUE audiophile deck.

[@vwestlife]

I am not a TRUE audiophile so I'll leave the overpriced equipment to them.

[@NelsonBigGunP200Fan]

i don't know if i can ever shell that much out for a cassette deck.... I mean i spent that and more on my desktop gaming PC... I still check yard sales and etc for audio equipment all the time.

[@wakjob961]

Hate to be captain correction here, but the Dragon didn't physically flip the tape. That was the Nak RX-series. I have one. :-)

[@HamtaroEL]

Christopher Ryan RS-M280 and RS-B100 are Technics best cassette decks in the M and B series.

[@dereksmith7781]

Does it make good recordings?

[@vwestlife]

Yes.

[@kevinbeckenham3872]

Thank you for another eductional video, thank you

[@marty-fh1rw]

Just been given one of these.Good video.Thanks.

[@skipperbentdk]

Haha how many casette and lp decks do you need? :)

[@enigmasenlahistoriaOA]

now that's your channel name as well

[@FrightfulAccountant]

I have a Technics RS D250 deck. it is very simular in lay out and functionality, but mine unfortunatley has not that cool fluoroscan display =(

[@jmmbos]

Technics was the best . This one had an Mx head . Unfortunately Technics stopped at an early time putting a pilot light inside their decks. One of last ones was the RS-B85 only in 1985 .. or 86 They sometimes had 3 motors in stead of 2, while in most cases the brochure only mentioned two motors I've got 4 technics decks and they all sound great

[@HamtaroEL]

Hans Bos RS-B85 is a good example of Technics's midrange deck.

[@NelsonBigGunP200Fan]

i have a few HK (harman kardon) decks and one Onkyo. All work (one i fixed with a new belt and running external power to the 12v motor. They sound excellent too.

[@TEDdotcom]

Cool, there's a Westlife and Johnny Hates Jazz cassette in here...

[@raabsand]

Ballin on a budget with cassettes!

[@devonnewest7990]

omg you did very well with this thrifty score!!!

[@MercedesCitarobusvideos]

I Think i heard Windows 7 boot up

[@armanelgtron4533]

Mercedes Citaro bus videos 1:26

[@XuxsoadSh4nker]

sounds very good without tape hiss

[@TheLtData]

Nice deck indeed. Sounds great. Nice to have.

[@joshua.duque.sarmiento1115]

KEEP IN MIND! MY CASSETTES ARE TYPICALLY GOSPEL SONGS (CHRISTIAN SONGS). I ALSO HAVE LOVE SONGS...

[@vwestlife]

Drummer & Vinylcollector Auhsoj Even though I'm an atheist, I do like some gospel music.

[@simtitan1]

+vwestlife I never would have guessed that your an atheist. Most people just assume that atheists are very mean and hateful, but from all of your videos that i've watched, you seem like a really nice guy. I guess you can't judge people by the way they look, or by their religion.

[@bumblesby]

I have JVC and Pioneer decks that sound great. And oh by the way, they record great too!

[@WaybackTECH]

Good tapes! I sure woulda scooped those up too

[@CapCor]

You scared me at 6:20 I thought someone was banging on my door.

[@SuperScottCrawford]

Hide those drugs.

[@CarlosLopez-ew5uv]

I have 297 cassette tapes I transferred them to CDs. I have 74 LPs I also burned them to CDs. I like music from the 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s and 2000s Rock heavy metal, punk, alternative , soul , and funk , I don't do rap or hipity hop. Maybe a track or two .!!!!

[@gabrielgarza3707]

I have a Technics M234X but it has DBX Dolby c and b nosie reduction

[@MattHayesVinyl]

Lovely deck. And Johnny Hates Jazz? You get props just for that.

[@noisepuppet]

I had this!

[@cosmolv]

Sound is exelent i must say. Not so clear as top of the line high End tape decks from '90 but it is decent quality. :) Anyway, i love that analog sound. (it brings more life into music.)

[@kevindavis4709]

Wow great sound bro :)

[@markcovington8159]

Hey VWestlife. If only the name of this group would have had a "V" added to the start of the name of that group they would have had the exact same as your KZbin channel name.What do you think? :)

[@Fighthouse154]

I think this cassette deck was owned by elderly person because of the very good condition