Tape Recording Calibration and Metering - Revision history

NickPGSmith at 14:06, 20 July 2025

2025-07-20T14:06:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:06, 20 July 2025
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	**[[Media:BASF_EQ.pdf\|EQ]]		**[[Media:BASF_EQ.pdf\|EQ]]
	**[[Media:BASF_Housing.pdf\|The Cassette Housing]]		**[[Media:BASF_Housing.pdf\|The Cassette Housing]]
	*[[Media:BASF_Meters.pdf\|Meters and Measurement]]		**[[Media:BASF_Meters.pdf\|Meters and Measurement]]
	*[[Media:BASF_Calibration.pdf\|BASF Calibration Mechanism]]		*[[Media:BASF_Calibration.pdf\|BASF Calibration Mechanism]]
	* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Cassette_tape_types_and_formulations Wikipedia - Tape Formulations]		* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Cassette_tape_types_and_formulations Wikipedia - Tape Formulations]

NickPGSmith at 14:06, 20 July 2025

2025-07-20T14:06:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:06, 20 July 2025
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	* [http://walkman-archive.com/articles/guide-excellent-recordings_05.html Walkman Archive]		* [http://walkman-archive.com/articles/guide-excellent-recordings_05.html Walkman Archive]
	* [[Media:Marantz Reference.jpg\|Marantz Reference]]		* [[Media:Marantz Reference.jpg\|Marantz Reference]]
	* [[Media:~~BASF~~ Meters and Measurement.pdf\|BASF ~~Reference~~]]		* BASF "The Inventor's Notebook"
			**[[Media:BASF_Bias.pdf\|Bias]]
			**[[Media:BASF_Chrome.pdf\|The Technical Argument for Chromium Dioxide]]
			**[[Media:BASF_EQ.pdf\|EQ]]
			**[[Media:BASF_Housing.pdf\|The Cassette Housing]]
			*[[Media:BASF_Meters.pdf\|Meters and Measurement]]
			*[[Media:BASF_Calibration.pdf\|BASF Calibration Mechanism]]
	* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Cassette_tape_types_and_formulations Wikipedia - Tape Formulations]		* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Cassette_tape_types_and_formulations Wikipedia - Tape Formulations]

NickPGSmith: /* Metering */

2025-07-07T15:01:01Z

Metering

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:01, 7 July 2025
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	* DIN		* DIN
	** 0 dB is 250 nWb/m		** 0 dB is 250 nWb/m
	** Dolby level shown at -1.2 dB		** Dolby level shown at -1.2 dB (voltage factor: 0.871)
	** Used by Marantz, Sony, TEAC		** Used by Marantz, Sony, TEAC
	* Nakamichi		* Nakamichi
	** 0 dB is 200 nW/m		** 0 dB is 200 nW/m
	** Dolby level shown at 0 dB		** Dolby level shown at 0 dB
	* Old Philips		* "Old" Philips
	** 0 dB is 160 nWb/m		** 0 dB is 160 nWb/m
	** Dolby level shown at 2.8 dB		** Dolby level shown at 2.8 dB (voltage factor: 1.380)
	** Most common, used by Aiwa, Akai, Pioneer, Technics, etc		** Most common, used by Aiwa, Akai, Pioneer, Technics, etc

NickPGSmith: /* Metering */

2024-05-24T11:43:18Z

Metering

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:43, 24 May 2024
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	** Most common, used by Aiwa, Akai, Pioneer, Technics, etc		** Most common, used by Aiwa, Akai, Pioneer, Technics, etc

	True VU Meters have a tightly controlled professional definition of response, but are more approximate in consumer grade equipment. They show an average signal level over time, and smooth out sharp peaks.		True [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VU_meter VU Meters] have a tightly controlled professional definition of response, but are more approximate in consumer grade equipment. They show an average signal level over time, and smooth out sharp peaks.

	* 3% distortion level is usually around +6 to +8 VU		* 3% distortion level is usually around +6 to +8 VU

NickPGSmith: /* Metering */

2024-05-24T11:42:27Z

Metering

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:42, 24 May 2024
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	True VU Meters have a tightly controlled professional definition of response, but are more approximate in consumer grade equipment. They show an average signal level over time, and smooth out sharp peaks.		True VU Meters have a tightly controlled professional definition of response, but are more approximate in consumer grade equipment. They show an average signal level over time, and smooth out sharp peaks.

	* 3 % distortion level is usually around +6 to +8 VU		* 3% distortion level is usually around +6 to +8 VU

	Peak Meters have fast response, showing peak levels. Better for use on cassette decks with their lower headroom compared to faster tape speeds of Open Reel decks.		Peak Meters have fast response, showing peak levels. Better for use on cassette decks with their lower headroom compared to faster tape speeds of Open Reel decks.

	* Generally 0 dB on a VU meter is a lower flux level than 0 dB on a peak meter, by about 3 dB.		* Generally 0 dB on a VU meter is a lower flux level than 0 dB on a peak meter, by about 3 dB.

NickPGSmith at 05:27, 9 May 2024

2024-05-09T05:27:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:27, 9 May 2024
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	* [[Media:BASF Meters and Measurement.pdf\|BASF Reference]]		* [[Media:BASF Meters and Measurement.pdf\|BASF Reference]]
	* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Cassette_tape_types_and_formulations Wikipedia - Tape Formulations]		* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Cassette_tape_types_and_formulations Wikipedia - Tape Formulations]

	== Recorded Flux ==		== Recorded Flux ==

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	** 0 dB is 250 nWb/m		** 0 dB is 250 nWb/m
	** Dolby level shown at -1.2 dB		** Dolby level shown at -1.2 dB
	** Used by Sony, TEAC		** Used by Marantz, Sony, TEAC
	* Nakamichi		* Nakamichi
	** 0 dB is 200 nW/m		** 0 dB is 200 nW/m

NickPGSmith at 05:26, 9 May 2024

2024-05-09T05:26:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:26, 9 May 2024
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	* [[Media:BASF Meters and Measurement.pdf\|BASF Reference]]		* [[Media:BASF Meters and Measurement.pdf\|BASF Reference]]
	* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Cassette_tape_types_and_formulations Wikipedia - Tape Formulations]		* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Cassette_tape_types_and_formulations Wikipedia - Tape Formulations]

	== Recorded Flux ==		== Recorded Flux ==

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2024-05-08T04:53:43Z

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2023-02-17T21:02:13Z

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NickPGSmith: /* Recorded Flux */

2021-10-11T05:46:58Z

Recorded Flux

New page

Accurate calibration of a tape based recording is necessary to match record and replay levels, and is critical for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolby_noise-reduction_system Dolby] tracking.

Reference:
* [http://walkman-archive.com/articles/guide-excellent-recordings_05.html Walkman Archive]
* [[Media:Marantz Reference.jpg|Marantz Reference]]
* [[Media:BASF Meters and Measurement.pdf|BASF Reference]]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Cassette_tape_types_and_formulations Wikipedia - Tape Formulations]

== Recorded Flux ==

* 3% distortion is generally considered maximum acceptable.
* MOL (Maximum Output Level):
** Level that produces 3rd harmonic distortion of 3%
** Frequency dependent. At high frequencies can't be used as harmonics won't be reproduced.
* SOL (Saturated Output Level):
** The level which produces the maximum output. More record level reduces playback output.
* Measurement of flux can be open circuit or closed circuit
** 200 nWb/m closed circuit = 220 nWb/m open circuit (Dolby Level)

== Metering ==

Three standards:

* DIN
** 0 dB is 250 nWb/m
** Dolby level shown at -1.2 dB
** Used by Sony, TEAC
* Nakamichi
** 0 dB is 200 nW/m
** Dolby level shown at 0 dB
* Old Philips
** 0 dB is 160 nWb/m
** Dolby level shown at 2.8 dB
** Most common, used by Aiwa, Akai, Pioneer, Technics, etc

True VU Meters have a tightly controlled professional definition of response, but are more approximate in consumer grade equipment. They show an average signal level over time, and smooth out sharp peaks.

* 3 % distortion level is usually around +6 to +8 VU

Peak Meters have fast response, showing peak levels. Better for use on cassette decks with their lower headroom compared to faster tape speeds of Open Reel decks.

* Generally 0 dB on a VU meter is a lower flux level than 0 dB on a peak meter, by about 3 dB.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:06, 20 July 2025
Line 9:		Line 9:
	**[[Media:BASF_EQ.pdf\|EQ]]		**[[Media:BASF_EQ.pdf\|EQ]]
	**[[Media:BASF_Housing.pdf\|The Cassette Housing]]		**[[Media:BASF_Housing.pdf\|The Cassette Housing]]
	*[[Media:BASF_Meters.pdf\|Meters and Measurement]]		**[[Media:BASF_Meters.pdf\|Meters and Measurement]]
	*[[Media:BASF_Calibration.pdf\|BASF Calibration Mechanism]]		*[[Media:BASF_Calibration.pdf\|BASF Calibration Mechanism]]
	* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Cassette_tape_types_and_formulations Wikipedia - Tape Formulations]		* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Cassette_tape_types_and_formulations Wikipedia - Tape Formulations]