jurb...@

"** You just MIGHT be describing Charlie Watkins' famous little horror - the "WEM Copycat" first released in 1958.

http://manningsmusicals.co.uk/wp-con...ms-007-800.jpg "

That is it but I think it has a differnt name on it.

** Betcha it has "Copicat" on it.



"A truly horrible machine that just barely worked, it's output was riddled with AC hum, tape noise (from the permanent magnet erase) and serious wow & flutter plus amplitude modulations. "

Well the motor is directly under the capstan.

** It's a regular turntable motor - with an added flywheel IIRC.


It seems to have some type of special tape.


** Nope - the machine was meat for regular 1/4 inch tape - not too thin either.


Other thing, the idea about the sleeve on the capstan might not be a piece of cake unless I can find it precision, no taper etc.

** Use a piece of shrink tubing - like I said.


"A fairly large BLDC motor branded "Pioneer" provided direct capstan drive and continuously variable speed range of about 5:1 with varying compensation applied to EQ circuits as tape speed changed to keep the response flat. There was also an NE570N compander IC to reduce tape noise to quite low levels. "

Yeah, try doing that with tubes.


** Would never be needed if you have proper, high frequency, AC erase and full width 1/4inch recording at 15ips.



..... Phil