CassetteMaster | LUKE UNBOXES MYSTERY TAPE RECORDER FROM eBAY @CassetteMaster | Uploaded 5 years ago | Updated 2 hours ago
The MYSTERY MACHINE (pun not originally intended, but shortly realized) is the:
Ren Industries US Navy Naval Electronic Systems Command reel-to-reel tape recorder, the Model RD-365/UN RECORDER-REPRODUCER SOUND.
This MIL-SPEC (I would think) machine was for use with training and entertainment use. But still, not a consumer unit, but for the US Military. Military machines have a certain mystique that no consumer machine will ever, ever have, and I hope to find more military tape recorders in the future, but they are very hard to find (not this model, though, this model is very easy to find, they are on eBay almost all the time, but all seem like new--giving me the impression that they were not so popularly-used by the military, or anyone, but that they must have just stocked surplus shelves...)
A weird design, and clearly not based on other commonly-use tape recorder designs, such as the Ampex/Akai mechanism for example. This machine has something in common with full-size stereo decks: 3-motor.
But this only has one head, a combination erase/record/playback, and is half-track mono. Two speeds, 3.75 IPS and 7.5 IPS.
Frequency response is a disappointing, as found in the service manual. At 3 3/4, the response only goes to 5kHz, and at 7 1/2, to 7.5kHz. However, in record tests done off cam, I found it to record higher frequencies at both speeds, but starting to get harmonics of the sinewave I put in after going a little bit above those max freqs.
American-manuafacturing for sure on this device. Manual level control. Meter is only for recording level, not playback. This machine has a particular drawback I really don't like: No mechanism to move the tape away from the head during rewind and fast-forward, even while fast winding extremely fast. Poor head...
I hope you enjoy this LONG video, provided you have the patience....................................................................yeah. It's over an HOUR. An adventure with some screwy screws really screwed with me and screwed me up..
The MYSTERY MACHINE (pun not originally intended, but shortly realized) is the:
Ren Industries US Navy Naval Electronic Systems Command reel-to-reel tape recorder, the Model RD-365/UN RECORDER-REPRODUCER SOUND.
This MIL-SPEC (I would think) machine was for use with training and entertainment use. But still, not a consumer unit, but for the US Military. Military machines have a certain mystique that no consumer machine will ever, ever have, and I hope to find more military tape recorders in the future, but they are very hard to find (not this model, though, this model is very easy to find, they are on eBay almost all the time, but all seem like new--giving me the impression that they were not so popularly-used by the military, or anyone, but that they must have just stocked surplus shelves...)
A weird design, and clearly not based on other commonly-use tape recorder designs, such as the Ampex/Akai mechanism for example. This machine has something in common with full-size stereo decks: 3-motor.
But this only has one head, a combination erase/record/playback, and is half-track mono. Two speeds, 3.75 IPS and 7.5 IPS.
Frequency response is a disappointing, as found in the service manual. At 3 3/4, the response only goes to 5kHz, and at 7 1/2, to 7.5kHz. However, in record tests done off cam, I found it to record higher frequencies at both speeds, but starting to get harmonics of the sinewave I put in after going a little bit above those max freqs.
American-manuafacturing for sure on this device. Manual level control. Meter is only for recording level, not playback. This machine has a particular drawback I really don't like: No mechanism to move the tape away from the head during rewind and fast-forward, even while fast winding extremely fast. Poor head...
I hope you enjoy this LONG video, provided you have the patience....................................................................yeah. It's over an HOUR. An adventure with some screwy screws really screwed with me and screwed me up..
