Revox A77: How to create a reel-to-reel tape loop

This video will show you once again how to create a tape-loop. Somebody asked me in a coment on my last video to do a tape-loop on a ReVox A77. Here is the demonstration: it works (-; (more or less good). If I had more time you wouldnt hear the cut for sure!
The track I used for the loop was "Owner of a lonely heart" by "Yes" from 1983.
You can buy a splicing block for example here:
redir.love/thocf/a19rxoyyzj

[@peter-subramanian]

I had no idea that this was even a thing!!!! Just the amount of technical skill and precision that this requires as compared to purely digital audio manipulation blows my mind.

[@ppeterso22]

LOL@ 7:03!!!!! You get respect from me for using an A77 to do this--not an easier B77 or PR99. Thanks for the posting! I have 3 A77's (1 HS and 2 Dolby models)--I had all but given up on using them and have been using my B77 and PR99 units. I will use my A77s now!

[@timridley1]

Love your language and your splicing speed too.

[@odedka76]

As someone with totally zero knowledge about Tape Recording, I must admit this looks and sounds exiting. You did a great job here!

[@jeanfatale]

He speaks perfectly well and everyone can understand without the least problem.

[@77easylis]

We have enjoyed how you work after the cut, without wind, hand in hand (A77) Die A816 ist natürlich für sowas optimal. Danke für das interessante Video.

[@HelloKittyFanMan.]

It's cool to watch the old-school ways of how some things were done before the easier and better methods that we have of doing them now were developed. :-)

[@hoover728]

Easier? Yes. Better? No. Digital is a sampled facsimile of music, tape is analogous to the actual signal.

[@OneRoomShed]

That's a great video. Analog equipment is so much more fun that digital equipment. Anyone can make loop on a computer, but to do it on an open reel takes skill. Long live the reel to reel tape deck !!!!

[@ruudvansteenis]

After having been a professional sound engineer for 25 years, I had a good laugh watching your video! (It almost shows how it should NOT be done, hahaha! :) )

[@technikfans]

As long as you get entertained, everything is good to me. I know that it wasn´t perfect, but it was just a short improvised video to give people which are not familiar with the "how to" a clue of how to do it. Maybe I will do another video and than also you can see, that I know what I´m doing... ;-)

[@ruudvansteenis]

***** I didn't write this to piss you off (I am sure you know what you are doing), but almost everything that could go wrong, went wrong! (Edit wasn't perfect, splicing tape was sticking out, tape loop got stuck in the Revox etc.). But I thought is was very funny to watch! By the way: beautiful Studer machine!

[@technikfans]

Ruud van Steenis It´s ok Ruud - I don´t take that all here not to much serious. ;-) Anyway: I think I will do a new video in the next days! :-)

[@juzsomeguy22768]

***** real good or not,, its fun to see back haha, i used to make the cuts allways in a 45 degree angle or less, gave a bit smoother transition, fun times with that old stuff :)

[@egoadsr]

:D wow, revox time producers was so patient ! the amount of time saved by the samplers is phenomenal ! thanks for sharing ;)

[@FUnKNUg]

Sound like a cool guy! Liked the video, thanks

[@rudyrudy6882]

Thank you for your work, it’s magical 🙏🇧🇪

[@Dante655321]

I don't know how i got to this vid, but I'm marveled. Is just "too easy" these days

[@davidannett3322]

This is awesome. That is some sweet sweet gear!

[@madjidhamdini8114]

Hello from belgium ^^ "Magnetophone" remind me mi childhood (im from 1977) , i had 2 sony 4 tracks but loose it ...sad . i maked loops with tape and also cassete tape ! this old technology is fine ! easy to cut/repare/ etc. I worked severals year in Germany (essen ,baden baden ,koln ,frankfurt ) supermarket open until 11PM ^^ very good , a very wonderful country i love it ^^ PS: Haha your german accent is better than my Belgian accent in english lol !

[@cdorval1]

Excellent video! Thanks. If the tape deck is off the floor, you can create tension by simply hanging a reel from the tape loop, and letting it dangle over the edge.

[@newagecult4292]

Blowing my mind right now.

[@schipbreukeling3]

Nevermind it is a great trick, thank you for sharing

[@SirDubluv]

Thanks ! Good video , I am going after 2 Revox A77 MKIII this afternoon.. Excited! :)

[@MrRockntube]

thank you for a great and funny video :)

[@whyamisotired1]

Brilliant videos man! This really helps me as im doing an essay on tape for University. Thanks!!!

[@tylermcdonald7751]

You are the greatest!

[@alalal1979]

Fantastic video and great fun to watch....... you should be on TV!

[@corbs132]

This is seriously impressive.

[@september-pp6gt]

we love your video!

[@MikeSevero]

Greetings from Kansas City. Very helpful, Thank you!!

[@ericjason]

Thank you for this video. i just picked up a Sony TC 200 and it is a very similar machine to your ReVox A77 so i will be able to accomplish the same. Cheers, friend!

[@AdventurousInsight]

Great video!

[@TheFRiNgEguitars]

"ok forget it" 7:35 hahaha very funny! Very informative video, and obvious you're experienced and highly skilled .. cheers from the USA!

[@SeansYTEntertainment]

I love this! I have an A77 too, and other than listening to classical music on it (coz that just seems so right!), I'm looking for ideas on how to use it in my digital music creation

[@quincythomas5282]

thanks you! i was dreaming about this when i pulled my Sony reel to reel out of the trash, good to know my dream in full affect! im going to layer 4 reels on one machine and displace the tension of the loop. 4 reels will hopefully make the loop longer and look badass. ; - ) ^^if that even makes any sense^^

[@verovieira1]

Fantastic, thanks for sharing !

[@MrSinisacmrecak]

love this video!!!!

[@technikfans]

Thank you! :-)

[@jimthekid6477]

Thanks mate! Good video

[@jen3800]

cute as pie. great work!

[@odedka76]

Thank you for the lesson!

[@kink303]

very good explanation, thank you!

[@richardwedlich8823]

This was very helpful. Thank you.

[@technikfans]

You're welcome! 😊👍

[@SteveDondley]

Fascinating to watch

[@technikfans]

Thank you! :-)

[@Highways6]

That’s cool!

[@hardeheelmeesters]

great video!

[@TonyStewartKY]

Thanks for the entertaining video

[@Disco5100]

man,you're awesome:D

[@chumanjames]

thats amazing

[@stevedoubleu99B]

Ha ha, yes that is indeed the word, very widely used in UK when things #@¥& up! Nice video.

[@thevideosinc]

Watching this makes me epreciate modern technology more

[@peterangelospanggaard9200]

Exactly 😂

[@digableweb]

Excellent ! thanks :)

[@herbertmorales333]

Awesome video :)

[@technikfans]

Thank you!

[@klinkske]

very informative, thx

[@TMesquita18]

Nice work. :)

[@BlackBearTexas]

hahaha you're videos are awesome! you remind me of my friend Moritz! Thanks for uploading :)

[@deerounet]

super cool

[@revolvingtoto007]

awesome

[@djzerotwoo]

Wow great video! I always wondered how they did this sort of thing. Would you be able to make a track or a little mix or something so I can see how they make the layers of sound when recording because if I remember they used to use samples and cut them together

[@goodFinMusic]

This was an awesome video. Sub

[@sitizenkanemusic]

Well i just subscribed to you channel! I like how you say the word "music" in the german style, "Musik"

[@bunko74]

enjoyed that. danke

[@ac1dman]

That was informative and also you are adorable

[@technikfans]

Thanks a lot! :-)

[@pcallas66]

That was a great video, by the way. The tape got crinkled is probably the most precise word, and wrinkled would be a close second, in a couple spots. The A77 isn't the most friendly machine to play back a tape loop, but you did a great job.

[@technikfans]

Thank you Paul! I´ve never heard this word before. Good to know! ;-)

[@pcallas66]

You're welcome.

[@hellishtimber]

Very interesting! Sehr interessant!

[@echriton]

You can use cisor to cut hairs :-) That works perfectly and you can change the angle of cut.

[@MsWiesengrund]

GREAT!!!

[@sitizenkanemusic]

You sound like my music theory professor, Doctor Schmitz from München.

[@TheAuralab]

great!!

[@Filiu1]

You have a lot of Swiss audio masterpieces.Congratulations for your collection!Do you live in Switzerland?

[@rolandblocko4229]

Dear technikfan, could you give me an advice if this is also possible on a revox f36? I tried it but without success. What am I doing wrong?

[@rsanchez7111]

Thanks for sharing. Btw where did you get that splicing block. Nice and easy to use. Thx again. Cool!!

[@technikfans]

rsanchez7111 I have this splicing block since many years. It´s an original spare part vom ReVox. You can ask for example at ReVox in Germany or Switzerland to buy it. Alternative: look at ebay! You often can find there such parts! :-)

[@GenuineSoundware]

I think I was the guy who requested an example of looping a tape with the A77. Great video! Thanks a lot! I really need that "splice block" or whatever it's called... do you know where I could buy one?

[@portaismusicstudio]

funny guy thank you for this lesson

[@jankersting]

I love your german accentt

[@technikfans]

Thank you! ;-)

[@mkarnicki]

This vid made me subscribe to your channel. Very cool! (And funny non-censored comments haha)

[@sitizenkanemusic]

Actually, making a loop analog-style is just as easy as digital (well, not that easy, compared to point and click). I have both and albeit, analog is fun to mess around and is pretty straight-forward to learn because everything is limited in terms of what equipment is available to you.

[@user-ht6qt6zv1c]

Hello, lovely video ! Could you describe your preferred process for biasing tape on a deck ?

[@technikfans]

Since I am not a technician, I have never measured the A77 myself. You would have to ask a professional.

[@AleMarasso]

Hello, I leave a question, maybe you can help me. Does the sound of a revox a77 depend 100% on its heads (head)? I'm seeing if I buy Revox a77 that apparently has changed heads and I have my doubts. Thank you!

[@technikfans]

Hello Ale! The tape heads are always extremely important for the sound of any tape recorder. With old devices it is normal for the tape heads to be ground in a little. If the cut is too strong, the recording and playback will lack the treble. Sound heads must not be ground in more than 3mm.

[@fr6nco]

niiiice :D

[@unclereg7713]

Is there a specific equation of tape speed and tape length to work out where to splice so your loop plays in a 12 bar in 4/4 time for example. I am planning on making some loops but will need them to always play in time when the splice goes over the head.

[@technikfans]

I think it depends on how long the loop should be. But usually the fastest speed is the best speed of course. 😉

[@MsEUGENIO1978]

ein traum

[@MrKrokkenoster]

I use open reel tapes since 1967 and I fiund that if you want a PERMANENT splice use cyano acrilate or "super glue" as the splicing tapes glue becomes gooey after some time and the splices jam up

[@MrMedsetfair]

How about a video Gerhardus???

[@ADHDWay]

Bravo1

[@vitorjunior2023]

Nice! Hahahahah! Yes Rocks!

[@DOPEDOGTOPDOG]

What about using the loop for using the A-77 as a tape echo ?

[@technikfans]

+DOPEDOGTOPDOG I did not try it untill now. But it sholud also be possible if there is enough tape-tension on it.

[@colbym3295]

DOPEDOGTOPDOG my exact thoughts, I'm looking at a teac 4010 to use as a tape delay

[@Jensmusiclover]

Owning a B 215 as well- great machine! Also, I have a PR 99 and a TELEFUNKEN M 28 Let's stay in touch: PORTRAIT - Aus dem Radioalltag von Jens Messtorff (ein Film von Danny Tristan)

[@NathanRichan]

The word you were looking for was 'precision', if you haven't since found it.

[@sekaiology]

Fucking amazing, thank you!

[@galleryhaus2209]

Hello. Could you tell me where did you get your splicing block with push cutter? I couldn't find one with push cutter from that link. Thank you.

[@technikfans]

It was an original Revox accessory. I don't know if this is still sold today. It's best to ask Revox directly! You can also get the splicing block in metal here: www.thomann.de/de/atr_magnetics_splice_block_1_4_short.htm?offid=1&affid=585 The original ReVox splicing block was made of plastic but was very robust.

[@galleryhaus2209]

@@technikfans Ah OK! I'll find it, thank you!!!!!

[@rakosipeter7446]

@@galleryhaus2209 It's much cheaper on ebay.

[@artemik1986]

С кассетаами раньше такое вытворял :)

[@smadaf]

Very cool video. The English word you wanted is "precise"; a German way to write how it's pronounced in English is "priesseiss".

[@444damn]

@technikfans i was actually being sarcastic you're welcome to swear as much as you like, i was mocking the jerk who took issue with it

[@maurosaverio]

Du meine Güte "Bandschlaufenwiederholung" für Anfänger...fangt bloss nicht damit an ;-) aber okay für Alle die so was noch nie gesehen haben...übrigens seit über 20 Jahren gibt es Komputer auf welchen sowas viel besser geht ;-) Such-maschint mal: Echodelay, Les Paul oder auch The making of Dark side of the moon Money Loop. Übrigens das Basis Drums auf Totos Africa wurde so gemacht allerdings mit einer 2-Zoll Mehrspurbandmachine. Grüsse ein alter Tonmeister Hase

[@HelloKittyFanMan.]

LOL, "Peeeeep!" instead of "beeep"! :-D Love that German accent, man! :-D Fun video (even with the disappointment that the pro recorder was too stupidly designed to play also)!

[@technikfans]

"Peeep" is just the German version we would spell it, cause we pronaunce it exactly like this! ;-)

[@HelloKittyFanMan.]

Heheheh!

[@Sirenfreak1000T]

Pause 0:51 as of today 10-18-2014 at 12:23pm I got that exact CD at a yardsale for a dollar

[@TuneStunnaMusic]

VEry nice video, dont care if you missed the splice, this is still a lost art.

[@dubdoodle7191]

Why do so many Revox RTR owners place them on the floor ?

[@technikfans]

If you want to cut the tape, this is the most comfortable way. 😉

[@lifesglorydead]

This is so cool!! Love seeing vids like this. I can do this in a couple seconds on my Mac, but I'll bet it's a lot more rewarding to hold the crap in your hands and say "I made a tape loop!" Haha. Now I want a reel-to-reel.

[@justinmacri306]

Anyone else hearing Christoph Waltz?

[@madjidhamdini8114]

50 metres / seconds ?!? Wow , mine i had builded for he a pitch bend lol ( a volum button 47kohm for the motor he work very fast or very slow like +/-60 or 70% absolutely not precis hahaha , i was younger and learnin electronic ^^ )

[@technikfans]

No sorry. Its 15m per second... But this is also pretty fast. 😉👍

[@ctiacobctiacob8224]

Nice work. But why were you so nervous? :-)

[@technikfans]

Thank you! Don´t know. I think I just want to do it right. ;-)

[@ctiacobctiacob8224]

I'm curious whether there is any better option for putting tension on loop tapes than using one's hands :-)

[@shoprat17]

Not bad English for a German!

[@jgk381]

lmao, a leeetle beet fffaacked up -7:00

[@MrPhoenixsz]

kannst du die auch einstellen ??

[@technikfans]

Du meinst die Maschine technisch einmessen? Nein. Ich bin kein Techniker. 😉

[@MrPhoenixsz]

@@technikfans ah ok schade