Evolution of the Audio Recorder (Paperback)

~ Philip M. Van Praag (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A comprehensive guide to the audio recorder. Includes theory, evolution, service and restoration tips, special purpose recorders, and identification and price guide. Over 500 photos and illustrations, including 250 color photos.

From the Publisher

Author Phil Van Praag has been involved with magnetic recording for 35 years. He holds an engineering master's degree and an FCC General Radiotelephone License. He has written for, and taught at, Ampex Corporation, and has served as technical services manager at a prestigious hi-fi firm.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 518 pages
• Publisher: EC Designs; 1st edition (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965734404
• ISBN-13: 978-0965734400
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,078,437 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book on audio tape recorders, December 28, 1998

By A Customer

If you have an interest in audio tape recorders, whether historically or an owner (I grew up with them), this book is excellent. There is none other like it. Coverage is complete with lots of great photos of tape recorders (like Elvis's Ampex 350 studio deck). If you are a hobbyist or technician, there are schematics and much repair/rebuild information. I was also a broadcast engineer and have recently rebuilt several Ampex reel-to-reel recorders. I searched everywhere for reference information and there wasn't much, other than old service manuals. This book covers all the Ampex models plus just about everything else, and is just plain fun to read. Many of the long lost home recorders I knew as a child are included. You won't be disappointed by purchasing a copy of this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have Book For The Recorder Restorer/Collector, August 10, 2003

By	Thomas J. Hoehler (Louisville, KY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Van Praag does a wonderful job of bringing a great deal of information about old tape machines together in one fun to read book. Open reel recorder information dominates here, but the theory section covers compact cassette and 8 track as well. For readers interested in technical data, a section deals with circuit drawings. The photography of the equipment is very high quality, it does justice to these old machines. Van Praag's style is matter-of-fact and rather relaxed. He is certainly a realist, you can tell he has spent many an hour working on audio recorders. His how-to-do section on repair/restoration is thorough, funny, and quite accurate. Whether you just fooled around with a cheap toy recorder as a child, or made your living keeping the big reels turning, you will enjoy this book.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Class Act., November 28, 1999

By A Customer

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has even remote interest in electronic equipment. This book is profusely illustrated and written in an entertaining yet informative style that will keep you reading for hours! This book will have special appeal to those who collect or have an affinity for vintage electronics equipment equipment.