8mm Forum: New sound heads for magnatech

»	8mm Forum » 8mm Forum » New sound heads for magnatech

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: New sound heads for magnatech

Kevin Hassall
Master Film Handler

Posts: 438
From: Walsall, England
Registered: Dec 2010

posted February 10, 2017 09:46 AM

Hiya guys Phil at classic is seeking advice about new sound heads he wants anyone who can help

| IP: Logged

Adrian Winchester
Film God

Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004

posted February 10, 2017 10:59 AM

In fact I just checked with Phil whether he would welcome his text being posted on the Forum, and he would. Here it is:

HERE AT CLASSIC, WE ARE VERY KEEN TO CONTINUE RELEASING NEW SUPER 8 FILMS TO THE COLLECTORS WORLDWIDE.

THIS PROCESS HAS STALLED FOR SOME MONTHS BECAUSE OF NEW FILM STOCKS, STRIPING PROBLEMS ETC. WE NOW HAVE PRINTS READY TO RECORD, BUT THE MAGNATECH MACHINES AT THE LABS HAVE FAILED, AND THE SOUNDHEADS NEED REPLACEMENT.

I SEEK HELP AND ADVICE FROM AROUND THE UK AND THE WORLD TO FIND REPLACEMENT SOUNDHEADS.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY? DO YOU KNOW WHO MAY MAKE OR REBUILD SUCH HEADS?

PLEASE TELL US IF YOU CAN HELP.

PHIL SHEARD
CHC

--------------------
Adrian Winchester

| IP: Logged

Kevin Hassall
Master Film Handler

Posts: 438
From: Walsall, England
Registered: Dec 2010

posted February 10, 2017 11:03 AM

Thats great Adrian ,we have a lot of technically minded guys on this great forum there's bound to be someone who knows someone or knows about the machines we just got to help our Phil out .

| IP: Logged

Tom Photiou
Film God

Posts: 4837
From: Plymouth U.K
Registered: Dec 2003

posted February 10, 2017 12:10 PM

I'm not 100% if i am on the right track here but i have e-mailed Phil with the following links, Hoping this may help,

http://www.thegreatbear.net/preservation/magnetic-tape-heads/

http://www.summertone.com/

http://www.jrfmagnetics.com/

[Wink]

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted February 10, 2017 02:08 PM

Summertone, I've dealt with. They do a great job of testing and lapping mag heads to give them a further lease of life, but they cannot manufacture them or even repair the type used on Super 8mm projectors sadly.

--------------------
"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

| IP: Logged

Osi Osgood
Film God

Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005

posted February 11, 2017 11:39 AM

A friend iof mine suggested (and i agree) that, as a last ditch measure, if Phil does not have any GS1200 projectors, he should get them, as they make incredibly GREAT recordings, whetner mono or stereo, and they have, of course, that wonderful sync pulse function ...

After all, when parts do run out for these larger magnetic recording devices, there will probably be numerous sources for GS1200 parts for many more years. i understand that this manual GS1200 style of recording would take more time and effort, but at least, sound recording would still be possible.

--------------------
"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted February 14, 2017 05:16 AM

Very confusing statements made there Osi???

Phil always tends to have a few GS 1200s in his store at any given time as his lists suggest.

There might however, be very good reason why he wouldn't undertake a full run of brand new prints through any he has to record them all though, using "home recording" techniques.

Not all GS 1200's record so well btw, straight out of the box.
It very much differs from one model to another.
Just have a read of what people's experiences are,like what Alan Rik has said previously for example here,when using these to pulse sync record upon.

[ February 14, 2017, 11:30 AM: Message edited by: Andrew Woodcock ]

--------------------
"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

| IP: Logged

Osi Osgood
Film God

Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005

posted February 14, 2017 11:02 AM

It shouldn't be confusing ...

Just that, as a second option, he should have those GS1200's ready willing and able to do record jobs, if the possibility of recording on a large unit falls apart, (due to a lack of the spare parts to replace the ones not working).

I mean, Lance Alspaugh has used GS1200's for years and has had excellent results.

--------------------
"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted February 14, 2017 11:14 AM

As said Osi, for a kick off,.. not all of them record anything like to a "standard".
And that's just the starting dilemma.

Lance knows what he's doing to optimize bias settings, I doubt Phil will be digging in doing the same.

--------------------
"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted February 14, 2017 07:13 PM

Let's hope I don't start tomorrow's first sentence off with "As said !"

--------------------
"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

| IP: Logged

Alan Rik
Film God

Posts: 2211
From: New York City, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 14, 2017 10:10 PM

Yes Andrew is spot on in terms of the differences in recording results with various GS machines. I would imagine that if every GS machine was put back to proper running order, meaning set up as they were when they left the factory they would all put out superb recordings. But there are very few people who know how to really calibrate the GS to obtain the spectacular results that Lance does. His recordings are really stunning. Hi fidelity and A+.
I have had many GS1200's and the best recording one was a version one machine. And of course the 1st GS machine I bought in the 80's. They both recorded really well. But some of them I have had and they were good, some were bad, some were so so.
And eventually the one I had that was great became so so. One day the left channel got very low. I sent it off for repair but we never could get it back to its "Glory Days".
I had heard that Derann use to use the Fujica SD25/Yelco 3600 in order to record sound at one time. The quality was THAT good. But then again even those machines are starting to get old. Correction..are OLD. I hope that Phil can find the heads he is looking for. As a last resort as someone suggested sell the new prints striped but mute and have the buyer add sound later.

| IP: Logged

Larry Arpin
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 953
From: Sunland, CA, USA
Registered: Dec 2006

posted February 14, 2017 11:45 PM

Osi-The kind of recorder Phil probably has is capable of recording both prints, before they are slit, at the same time at high speed. I don't remember how much faster, maybe 4 or 5 times faster. Back in the days, I was offered such a machine but they wanted too much for it. I made a counter offer but the guy said the sync motors were worth more than what I offered. This was around the early 80's.

| IP: Logged

Brian Fretwell
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1785
From: London, UK
Registered: Jun 2014

posted February 15, 2017 02:28 AM

From Phil's email it is clear that it is not CHC that are doing the recordings but the lab that is making the prints. I assume they are similar to those used by Derann, Studio labs etc. Pity Derann's went for scrap.

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted February 15, 2017 04:39 AM

You are probably bang on Brian, but they must still have sourced their magnetic heads from Europe or Japan for these though, more than likely. We just need to know what they are?

The thing is, Phil has gone through all of this once if you read what has been said. He speaks of them at one time being able to be found but at very high cost.

Makes me wonder if he is referring to Wittner there, who knows? Either way, we are left playing guessing games when we have been asked to help if we possibly can.

The SD 25 / Yelco 3600 would have produced spectacular results no doubt, straight out of the box judging by how good the SH 30 mono sound stage is. The separate amplifier section on these (for all intents and purposes) produces the best and most professional sounding reproduction from a single track on Super 8mm that I have ever heard from a Super 8mm amplifier!
Similar quality to a S938 /40 but with a precise consistent drive from the pulse sync DC motor controller and virtually zero wow from the enormous capstan roller. Much more powerful also just from the internal speaker/ amp ext output, Superb!

Very unlikely one of those SD 25/ 3600 will now ever surface these days though,especially in top working order. [Frown]

--------------------
"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

| IP: Logged

Jason Smith
Master Film Handler

Posts: 358
From: Tohoku, Japan
Registered: Oct 2015

posted February 15, 2017 07:19 AM

As someone who speaks Japanese, I would like to see if there is anything available here in Japan.

There are plenty of skilled craftsmen running small workshops around here that can restore or replicate just about anything...for a price.

I don't have a technical background but if anyone does speak to Phil, get details and pictures of the part that needs to be replaced.

On a separate note, Andrew if you were going to find a SD25 anywhere, it would be in Japan. I have one that i would like to try and record on but I'm looking for a manual.

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted February 15, 2017 07:54 AM

Great news there Jason and as you say, you stand the very best chance of finding a fully functional SD 25 of anyone I'd say.

We just then would need to find out, whether or not it contained a Universal transformer to be used globally on any voltage or frequency from around the world.

Asking whether or not Magnetic Super 8mm heads could be replicated is great news to hear also. If this is possible from one of the small workshops you find, let me know as I can then send you some details of the kind of Mag Heads I would be interested in having replicates of.

Sadly from searching myself our most reliable of sources for duplicate vintage photography manuals here, they have nothing at all for Fujicascope projectors sadly.

Luckily I have the original English version manual for my own SH 30 but of course, this would not help you here with quest to find out all of the recording functions and facilities using the more complex and Stereo SD 25 sadly.

--------------------
"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

| IP: Logged

Alan Rik
Film God

Posts: 2211
From: New York City, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 15, 2017 08:47 AM

You can also see if you can find a manual for the Yelco 3600. That model is identical and would record the same way. The Yelco is the same as the SD25 just marketed outside of Japan.
If you can read Japanese Jason I may have a manual for the SD25 as a PDF with pictures. It is the one floating around on the net so its been out a while.

| IP: Logged

Paul Browning
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1006
From: West Midlands United Kingdom
Registered: Aug 2011

posted February 15, 2017 10:51 AM

This maybe of interest to Phil http://www.ebay.com/itm/Magna-Tech-magnetic-film-audio-recorder-/252220110407 . This is an item for sale currently in the US, but in his write up it states that if the heads prove to be no good because it has stood for a long time he has a contact that can supply these at low cost ??. Got to be worth an email to ask the question surely.

| IP: Logged

Osi Osgood
Film God

Posts: 10204
From: Mountian Home, ID.
Registered: Jul 2005

posted February 15, 2017 11:48 AM

Interesting Larry, I kind of assumed that was the set-up that Phil has. One of the nice things about those GS1200'S, is that Multiple GS1200s can be looped together so once they're ready to go with the frame set exactly the same on each one and the auto start engaged it's fairly straightforward.

--------------------
"All these moments will be lost in time, just like ... tears, in the rain. "

| IP: Logged

Winbert Hutahaean
Film God

Posts: 5468
From: Nouméa, New Caledonia
Registered: Jun 2003

posted February 15, 2017 02:52 PM

Having read the Ebay link provided by Paul Browning, I found the head was made by Teccon:

Teccon was located in California: http://www.bigscreenbiz.com/42-equipment-and-suppl ies/48-film-making-equipment-manufacturer/1352-teccon-enterprises-ltd.html

But it is already a dissolved company

Here is an article about Teccon and the type of head it has made:

http://www.in70mm.com/news/2015/teccon/index.htm

With the help of google, here is the company who can rebuild or refurbursh Teccon recording heads:

http://www.sprague.ws/audio.htm

The page says:

So it is still available brand new.....if the company is still in business [Wink]

At least until 2013 the company was still in business and was bought by NCE Computer Group: http://www.ncegroup.com/about-us/company-profile/news/2013/07/18/acquisition-of-sprague-magnetics-inc/

otherwise try this: http://www.magnummagnetics.com/

So good luck Phil!

cheers,

--------------------
Winbert

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted February 15, 2017 02:54 PM

very interesting Paul, however is this recording equipment not solely for use with 35mm film?

--------------------
"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

| IP: Logged

Paul Browning
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1006
From: West Midlands United Kingdom
Registered: Aug 2011

posted February 15, 2017 04:41 PM

The ebay page Andrew shows the machine also does 16mm, but the point is the text in the read up, may provide a lead to a sound head for the machine in Germany. I find it extraordinary that they haven't got a number for someone in Germany, has this machine never been serviced in all this time of use?.

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted February 15, 2017 04:57 PM

They must be recorded then before slitting on this machine, as suggested.

The heads seen above all look very wide to my eyes even maybe for 16mm recording?

--------------------
"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

| IP: Logged

Brian Fretwell
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1785
From: London, UK
Registered: Jun 2014

posted February 17, 2017 03:16 AM

I believe that Derek put in his newsletter, when they put in the sound recording equipment from Magnatek that the firm made 35/70mm film sound recorders and that this was a modified one. Also that they heads had to come from the USA.

| IP: Logged

Andrew Woodcock
Film God

Posts: 7477
From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted February 17, 2017 03:22 AM

Yes also the FFTC issue showing it out on the high street being delivered in 3 sections out of the back of a lorry!😂

Didn't know the head source details though Brian, linking them to the USA.

--------------------
"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

| IP: Logged

All times are Central

Printer-friendly view of this topic

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2