Using VCR as audio recorder
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steerpike2
Super Member
I actually do this a lot - use VHS HiFi for audio, on several machines: Panasonic, Philips and Sharp.
The quality is VERY good, but it's quite tape dependant. Gotta be good cassettes or you get dropouts. And don't bank on using LP or SLP or EP.
The frequency response and W/F cannot be beaten. Signal to noise is also fantastic, BUT certain types of program material can show up the dbx-like compression system that is inherent in VHS-hi-fi. Solo classical guitar for instance doesn't record too well.
It does seem to work best when played back on the machine it was recorded on - inter-changeability between machines is worse with the audio, than with the video.
The quality is VERY good, but it's quite tape dependant. Gotta be good cassettes or you get dropouts. And don't bank on using LP or SLP or EP.
The frequency response and W/F cannot be beaten. Signal to noise is also fantastic, BUT certain types of program material can show up the dbx-like compression system that is inherent in VHS-hi-fi. Solo classical guitar for instance doesn't record too well.
It does seem to work best when played back on the machine it was recorded on - inter-changeability between machines is worse with the audio, than with the video.
terra1
Addicted Member
As linked above there are lots of threads debating quality.
I used to add music to home movies transferred from super 8mm.
The sound was quite good with a good quality hifi VCR and tapes.
I had it hooked up to an A/V reciever so it was just a matter of selecting the appropriate source settings. For just audio it would be like recording onto a tape deck except it's the VCR.
The thought entered my mind to use VHS for music tape, but cassettes were cheap and later with carousel CDs with programming the thought entirely passed. I find myself changing out CDs as the mood strikes me, so I doubt I would want to try and record 2 or 6 hours of music onto a VHS cartridge. Can't see it. What if I wanted to hear what's on the 2nd or 3rd hour of the tape only? The hassle is what killed the idea for me. Plus it would be one less tape for recording video.
I used to add music to home movies transferred from super 8mm.
The sound was quite good with a good quality hifi VCR and tapes.
I had it hooked up to an A/V reciever so it was just a matter of selecting the appropriate source settings. For just audio it would be like recording onto a tape deck except it's the VCR.
The thought entered my mind to use VHS for music tape, but cassettes were cheap and later with carousel CDs with programming the thought entirely passed. I find myself changing out CDs as the mood strikes me, so I doubt I would want to try and record 2 or 6 hours of music onto a VHS cartridge. Can't see it. What if I wanted to hear what's on the 2nd or 3rd hour of the tape only? The hassle is what killed the idea for me. Plus it would be one less tape for recording video.
Hifirob2
NEC and Klipsch rock!
I've had very good results recording audio this way over the years. I've only used VCR's with user set recording level and very high grade tapes on SLP speed. Dropouts were never a problem for me, but trying to locate a song, say, 4 hours into the tape was.
One of my Hi-Fi VCR's (an Emerson beast from 1986) allows me to record hi-fi audio and, of course, a video signal. But it has a switch that allows me to hear the mono audio track from the video source. If I timed my recording just right, I could get double duty from the tapes.
Rob
One of my Hi-Fi VCR's (an Emerson beast from 1986) allows me to record hi-fi audio and, of course, a video signal. But it has a switch that allows me to hear the mono audio track from the video source. If I timed my recording just right, I could get double duty from the tapes.
Rob
Tinman
Super Member
Another interesting curiosity was the Sony PCM-701ES. ( Yes.... I have one...
) It's a PCM processor that uses a Video recorder, ANY video recorder to store the data and then play it back. A really cool toy. I have recorded with it using various tape formats, and it doesn't seem to care at all.
The "video" it produces looks like digital snow.
A lot of early CD's were mastered on these units.
) It's a PCM processor that uses a Video recorder, ANY video recorder to store the data and then play it back. A really cool toy. I have recorded with it using various tape formats, and it doesn't seem to care at all.The "video" it produces looks like digital snow.
A lot of early CD's were mastered on these units.
KentTeffeteller
Gimpus Stereophilus!
Tinman,
The Sony PCM 701 ES was the last version of the Sony PCM line which was began with the Sony PCM F-1. Good performers and you are correct about many Compact Discs were mastered on them. Most of these machines were used with 3/4" U-Matic decks or Betamax decks. Only a few VHS machines had tracking reliable enough for good, reliable PCM Work. Only the best videotape was reliable enough to keep dropouts to a minimum.
The Sony PCM 701 ES was the last version of the Sony PCM line which was began with the Sony PCM F-1. Good performers and you are correct about many Compact Discs were mastered on them. Most of these machines were used with 3/4" U-Matic decks or Betamax decks. Only a few VHS machines had tracking reliable enough for good, reliable PCM Work. Only the best videotape was reliable enough to keep dropouts to a minimum.
tohm
Member
Another interesting curiosity was the Sony PCM-701ES. ( Yes.... I have one...
Woah. Interesting. :scratch2:
I'll keep an eye opened for one trust me.
Edit: Oh wow I just googled and read about it... what a brilliant piece of equipment... damn.
Bstable
Super Member
In 1989(?) I recorded The Who "Tommy Live " with all star cast on a Toshiba digital HIFi VHS player ($1200 list..I paid $500). The sound is INCREDIBLE, and it was recorded in long play. It is reel to reel quality in dynamic range. And no hiss. IIRC the dynamic range was 90db. I dubbed the tape onto DVD, and that sounds great also. I would prefer to play the tape, but that is my master, and don't want to risk losing it. To answer your question..Yes it is a great way to make party tapes of good quality. Good HiFi VCRs are getting rare though.
Arkay
Lunatic Member
Dang! Just when I think I have my "audio shopping list" finally shrinking to manageable levels, something new to add comes along... and worse, I think I've seen one of these things, and not knowing what I was looking at, passed it up. Think I'll keep my eyes open for another one, though; it does seem to be a pretty cool thing to have. Not an urgent necessity, but nice to have if you can find one.
I'm a fan of HiFi VHS, but I only record and playback on the same unit, so that isn't an issue here. What is an issue is that I can't find any more of the really nice professional quality tape in stock locally, and I have a limited stock (about twenty) of those tapes. Some of them have things on them I don't want to erase, so I only have about 14 tapes or so for recording on.
Actually, that is a common problem here for old formats: I can still buy MiniDisks, but finding DAT, DCC (forget it!) or high-quality VHS tape (slightly better) is getting very difficult, as is finding metal-type cassette tapes. Reel-to-reel is still available via online order from Quantegy, but costly and a bit of a hassle (for me) to order. I stay away from elcaset and Betamax (reluctantly) just because one has to draw the line somewhere, and those media are also increasingly hard to find. The obstacle isn't really finding the gear, since you only need to find that once; it is finding enough of the raw media to record onto!
Wish I had a Wayback machine/Time Machine to go back and stock up on a few cartons of each type of the better older formats...
I still have a Sanyo Super Beta HiFi VCR that I purchased new in 1985. I have never used it for video, only for audio. It sounds very good, no tape noise, great dynamic range, and 180 minute tapes. The machine has never been serviced, and is still performing flawlessly. Finding good quality blank Beta tapes is starting to become difficult. Super Beta HiFi produces excellent audio tapes.
