Tape recorders: what is it and what are they?

Progress does not stand still, and new technical devices with many useful functions regularly appear in stores. Sooner or later, they are all updated, improved and often changed beyond recognition. The same happened with tape recorders. However, this did not stop fans of such devices from continuing to love them and enjoy magnetic recordings. In this article, we will learn more about tape recorders and figure out how to choose the right one.

Before proceeding to a detailed examination of all the features of the tape recorder, the main question should be answered: what is it? So, a tape recorder is an electromechanical device that is designed to record and reproduce signals previously recorded on magnetic media.

Today, almost everyone knows what a tape recorder looks like and what qualities it possesses. But few are aware of how it was developed. Meanwhile the principle of magnetic recording of sound signals and their storage on a medium was proposed by Smith Oberline. For the role of a magnetic sound carrier, he proposed to use a silk thread with steel veins. However, this unusual idea was never realized.

The first functioning device, which was used according to the principle of magnetic recording on a suitable medium, was made by the Danish engineer Waldemar Poulsen. These events took place in 1895. As a carrier, Valdemar decided to use steel wire. The inventor gave the device the name "telegraph".

With the onset of 1925, Kurt Stille developed and presented a special electromagnetic device that was designed to record a voice on a special magnetic wire. Subsequently, similar devices, having a design developed by him, began to be produced under the brand name "Marconi-Shtille". These devices were actively used by the BBC from 1935 to 1950.

In 1925, the first flexible tape was patented in the USSR. It was made of celluloid and covered with steel sawdust. This invention was not developed. In 1927, Fritz Pfleimer patented the magnetic type tape. At first it had a paper base, but later it was replaced by a polymer one. In the 1920s, Schuller proposed the classic design of an annular magnetic head. It was a magnetic-type ring core with a winding on one side and a gap on the other. During the recording, a direct current flowed into the winding, which caused the magnetic field to emerge in the provided gap. The latter magnetized the tape based on changes in the signals. In the course of reading, on the contrary, the tape closed the magnetic flux through the gap on the core.

In 1934–1935, BASF began mass production of magnetic tapes based on carbonyl iron or diacetate-based magnetite. In 1935, the renowned manufacturer AEG released its first commercial tape recorder, called the Magnetophon K1.... The name itself has remained a trademark of AEG-Telefunken for a long time.

At the end of the Second World War, the tape recorders of this manufacturer were taken out from the territory of Germany to the USSR, USA, where a few years later similar functional devices were developed. The desire to reduce the size of tape recorders and improve the ease of use has led to the fact that new models of devices appeared on the market, in which special cassette systems were present.

By the second half of the 1960s, the compact cassette had become practically the unified standard for cassette models of tape recorders. Its development is the merit of the famous and to this day large brand Philips.

In the 1980s and 1990s, compact cassette devices practically supplanted the "old" reel-to-reel models. They almost disappeared from the market. Experiments related to magnetic video recordings started in the first half of the 1950s. The first commercial VCR was released in 1956.

A tape recorder is a technically complex device that consists of many important components. Let's take a closer look at the most significant components and find out how they ensure the functioning of the product in question.

It is also called the tape transport mechanism. The name of this element speaks for itself - it is needed to feed the tape. The characteristics of this mechanism have a direct impact on the sound quality of the device. All the distortions that the tape mechanism introduces into the signal is unrealistic to somehow remove or correct.

The main characteristic of the spare part in question in the tape recorder device is the detonation coefficient and the long-term stability of the speed of the ribbon advance. This mechanism should provide:

• uniform advancement of the magnetic medium during recording and during playback at a set speed (called a working stroke);
• optimal tension of the magnetic carrier with a specific force;
• high-quality and reliable contact between the carrier and the magnetic heads;
• changes in belt speed (in models where several speeds are provided);
• fast forward the media in both directions;

One of the most important components of a tape recorder. The characteristics of these parts have a direct impact on the quality of the device as a whole. The magnetic head is designed to work both with one track (mono format) and with several - from 2 to 24 (stereo - could be present in stereo recorders). These parts are subdivided according to their purpose:

• ГВ - heads responsible for reproduction;
• GZ - details that are responsible for reproduction;
• HS - heads responsible for erasure.

The number of these components can vary. If there are several magnetic heads in the overall design (in a drum or base), then we can talk about a magnetic head unit (BMG). There are such tape recorders in which there are replaceable versions of the BMG. Due to this, it is possible to get, for example, a different number of tracks. In some cases, combined heads are used.

There are also such models of tape recorders, in which a special head for biasing, recording and playback of auxiliary signals is provided. As a rule, the process of erasing a specific record is carried out thanks to a high-frequency alternating magnetic field. In the most primitive and cheapest models of tape recorders, HMs were often used in the form of a permanent magnet of a special structure. The part was mechanically brought to the tape during erasure.

The tape recorders were also equipped with an electronic part, which must include the following components:

• 1 or more amplifiers for reproduction and recording;
• 1 or more power low-frequency amplifiers;
• a generator responsible for erasing and magnetizing (in the simplest tape recorders this part may be absent);
• noise-reducing device (it will not necessarily be present in the design of the tape recorder);
• electronic control system of LMP operating modes (also optional);

The electronic component of the first models of tape recorders was made on special vacuum tubes. These components in the device in question posed several specific problems.

• Lamps always generate enough heat that can cause serious damage to the tape media. In stationary types of tape recorders, the electronic system was either made in the form of a separate unit, or was located in a spacious case with good ventilation and thermal insulation. In miniature copies, manufacturers sought to reduce the number of bulbs, but increase the size of the ventilation holes.
• Lamps are prone to specific microphonic effects, and the tape drive can generate impressive acoustic noise. In high-end devices, special measures had to be taken to combat such an unpleasant effect.
• Lamps need a high-voltage power supply for the anode circuits, as well as a low-voltage one for heating the cathodes.... In the units under consideration, one more power source is needed, which is necessary for the electric motor. As a result, the battery pack of a portable tube tape recorder will be too bulky, heavy and expensive.

When transistors appeared, they began to be installed in a tape structure. In this way, the problems of heat dissipation and unpleasant microphone effect were solved. The transistor type tape recorder could be powered by cheap and low-voltage batteries, which lasted much longer. Equipment with such components turned out to be more portable. By the end of the 1960s, lamp specimens were almost completely ousted from the market. Modern devices do not suffer from the listed disadvantages.

Also in the device of tape recorders such components could be present.

• Antenna... Telescopic part designed for both receiving and transmitting analog and digital signals.
• Control buttons. Modern models of tape recorders are equipped with many control and switch buttons. This is not only a key to turn the device on and off, but also rewind, switch audio tracks or radio stations.
• Power wire. A part that has a pair of contacts on the connection connector. If we are talking about a device with powerful speakers, and there is the possibility of connecting auxiliary equipment, then a large cross-section cable can complement such a model.

Tape recorders are classified into many subspecies according to several parameters. Let's take a closer look at the different types of these devices.

Different models of tape recorders may differ according to the media they use. So, standard reel-to-reel copies use magnetic tape as the carrier. Otherwise, it was always called a reel. This is the most common product. These varieties were very relevant until new cassette recorders appeared on the market.

The reel-to-reel tape recorders were distinguished by excellent sound reproduction quality. This effect was achieved due to the sufficient width of the belt and the high speed of its advance. A musical device of this type could also have a low speed - such options are called "dictaphone". There were also household and studio reel-to-reel tape recorders. The fastest recording of the highest quality was in the latest versions, which belonged to the professional class.

At one time they were very popular cassette models of tape recorders. In them, cassettes, in which there was a magnetic tape, acted as a carrier. The first carriers were equipped with such ribbons, which turned out to be quite noisy in operation and had a very small dynamic range. A little later, better quality Metal tapes appeared, but they quickly left the market. In 2006, only Type I belts remained in mass production.

In cassette recorders, various noise cancellation systems have been used to eliminate and reduce noise.

Separately, it is worth highlighting multi-cassette models of tape recorders. These are very easy-to-use and compact devices, which provide for automatic cassette change. In the 1970s-1980s, such copies were produced by the well-known Philips brand and the no less famous Mitsubishi. In such devices, there were 2 tape drives. An overwrite and continuous playback function was provided.

There are also cassette-disk models of tape recorders. Such devices are multitaskingbecause they can work with different media.

The audio tape recorder can also be divided according to the direct method of the recorded information. There are analog and digital devices. Technological progress does not stand still, so the second varieties are confidently replacing the first. Tape recorders working with digital-type recordings (according to a scheme different from analog versions) are marked with a special abbreviation - Dat or Dash.

Dat-devices carry out direct recording of a digitized audio signal on a magnetic tape. The sampling rate can vary. Digital tape recorders were often cheaper than analog ones, so they were appreciated by many consumers. However, due to the fact that initially there was very little compatibility of recording technologies, Dat devices have become more often used for professional recording in studio conditions.

Dash flavors were originally developed for professional studio use. This is a well-known development of the Sony brand. Manufacturers had to work hard on their "brainchild" so that it could compete with the usual analog copies.

Tape recorders can be used in various fields. Let's take a look at some of them.

• Studio. For example, these products include professional equipment of the highest quality, which was often used in film studios. Nowadays German Ballfinger devices are bringing back the popularity of these tape recorders operating with large reels of magnetic tapes.
• Household. The simplest and most widespread models of tape recorders. Modern devices can come complete with speakers, often they are complemented by a touch screen and a USB connector for installing a flash card - there are a lot of modifications. Home appliances can also come with a radio.
• For security systems. In this case, multi-channel models of high-end tape recorders are more often used.

The original tape recorders with light music are also popular today. Such devices are rarely installed at home. Most often they can be found in various public institutions - bars and cafes.

Absolutely all models of tape recorders are classified according to the parameters of mobility. The technique can be like this:

• wearable - these are small and portable devices (mini format), they can work while moving, in motion;
• portable - models that can be moved from place to place without much effort;
• stationary - usually large, bulky and powerful devices designed specifically for uncompromising sound quality.

To this day, many manufacturers produce different models of tape recorders, supplemented with different functional components. On sale there are both cheap and expensive, and simple, and intricate copies with many configurations. Let's consider how to choose the right technique of this type.

• First of all such a technique should be selected based on the preferences and wishes of the person who wants to purchase it... If the user likes to work with bobbins, it is better for him to find a reel version. Some people prefer to listen exclusively to cassette music - such consumers should choose the appropriate cassette recorder.
• If the user is not going to use the tape recorder too often, but he wants to listen to the old saved recordings, it is better to find a more modern radio tape recorder. It may be of the cassette type.
• Choosing the perfect tape recorder, its technical and operational characteristics should be taken into account. Pay attention to power indicators, carrier speed and other basic indicators. Usually, all of the listed characteristics are indicated in the accompanying technical documentation that comes with the device.
• It is advisable to decide for yourself before buying such a device, what kind of functional "stuffing" do you want to get from it. You can buy a cheap and very simple model with a minimum set of functions, or you can spend a little more and find a multitasking technique with additional options.
• Consider the size of the tape recorder to be selected. Above were listed different sizes of devices in accordance with the degree of their mobility. If you want a small and lightweight model, then there is no point in looking at bulky options, especially if they are stationary. If you want to buy exactly the last copy, then you should be prepared for the fact that it will not be cheap (usually this is a professional technique), and you will have to allocate enough free space for it.
• Pay attention to the manufacturer. Today, many major brands produce similar devices in a wide variety of modifications. It is not recommended to save money and buy cheap Chinese copies, since they are unlikely to last long. Choose devices from famous brands.
• If you went to buy a tape recorder at a hardware store, you should examine it carefully before paying. The device must not have the slightest defects or damage.

For an overview of a vintage 80s-style tape recorder, see the following video.