Test Equipment recs please...for RTR adjusting and calibrating

[rockitman]

1) Need an Oscilloscope...recommendations for one that get's the job done ?

2) Signal generator for test tones. recommendation ?

Time to take control of my RTR machines....

 

[microstrip]

1) Need an Oscilloscope...recommendations for one that get's the job done ?

2) Signal generator for test tones. recommendation ?

Time to take control of my RTR machines....

If it is just for adjusting and calibration I would recommend a virtual instrument - a good quality 24bit 192kHz usb soundcard such as the EMU tracker or similar and some free software, such as scope

http://www.zeitnitz.de/Christian/scope_en

It has both facilities.

 

[Bruce B]

2) Signal generator for test tones. recommendation ?

The first thing you will need is a good MRL tape.

I also use a Fluke 115

 

[c1ferrari]

Audio Precision...

1) Need an Oscilloscope...recommendations for one that get's the job done ?

2) Signal generator for test tones. recommendation ?

Time to take control of my RTR machines....

I've learned from using it.
A 2236 Tek scope would be cool, too

 

[rockitman]

The first thing you will need is a good MRL tape.

I also use a Fluke 115

Thanks...Bought a Fluke and Ki's former testing equip. including a scope and signal generator. It will be good to be able to do most things myself when it comes to RTR machines.

 

[rockitman]

Whatever you do, if you ever "spectrum" look at the tones from the test tape on the tape outs of the r2r across the frequency range and at say -3db and 0db and +3 db, do keep it a secret, as its the big secret in r2r lore. OK, well, its big third harmonic, almost no second, and some residule odds up the spectrum...damn, glad no one got that out of me..

Thats never considered in a calibration test, just frequency response, speed variation and single frequency thd, usually at -10db. There is no point in actually testing what really happens given the abilities of that emu card/spectrum analyzier software, because what happens in r2r stays in r2r, a ah aha ha.

Sorry, could not resist. I am being a bad bad boy, rockitman. Please never go that deep with your tests, and if you do, keep it to yourself because if you dont have a "modified" pro deck (you see, those classic pro decks, while being the greatest thing on earth, well, they are "even better" when modded) folks don't want to hear about it, except, me, pm me if you ever do it, please.

Tom

Bad boy Tom ? Nah unenlightened...being digital only, I understand your specs vs sound quality decision criteria troubles you. Listen to a studio safety copy on 15 ips and get back to me. You can PM me your predictable results....Analog > Digital...

 

[stellavox]

Only need one device

A (working) Sound Technology 1500 or it's variants - along with the associated MRL test tape.

Charles

 

[Ki Choi]

Hi Charles:

Since you are the master, it is easy for you to say.

It might behoove the newbies to learn the concept of calibrating tape machines using the conventional tools first (and be able to follow as written in the Studer service manual using the same test equipment in most cases) without the complexity of having to learn a new and more powerful instrument, IMHO.

I know what you had been telling me - ST1500 is easier than the scope and millivoltmeter method.

 

[lilak5]

Hi,

my first post here...
Maybe not a question about what's best but I also need some help with my alignments..
I use a PC with an external sound card (RMG, Babyface), a software called audioTester and a Fluke Millivoltmeter.
The generator gives out 1 kHz at 0 dBm and I adjust the PC so I read 0,775 V. With this I make my alignments (Scope and sweep).
What I do not understand (sorry for probably a stupid question...) is how to use resistors. According to Studer docs, I need 600 Ohm resistors on input and output. They change my measurements a bit. And I get different volume levels on playback and recording.
Could anybody please help me with this?


Thanks a lot

/peter

 

[Bruce B]

Hi Peter,

How are your measuring your output voltage? If you are in balanced mode, the voltage from pins 2+ and 3- should read 1.23v

 

[lilak5]

Hi Bruce

Between 1/2 and 1/3 it is 0,775V? Right? Will check...
(I am a mechanical engineer and always "hated" and never understood this electrical stuff...)

I would like to have a "correct" alignment for the tape machines and a constant volume level on all inputs (Burmester 808, so I can adjust the inputs if needed)

Thanks a lot!

/peter