Evolution of the Audio Recorder [Paperback]

Philip M. Van Praag (Author), Phil Van Praag (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1997 | ISBN-10: 0965734404 | ISBN-13: 978-0965734400 | Edition: 1st

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.

Editorial Reviews

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.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From Introduction: The purpose of this book is to raise the appreciation level for the audio tape recorder. It is a celebration of over 100 years of inspiration, perspiration, and permutation in attempts to produce and perfect the quintessential recording device. It is also, hopefully, an educational tool that will increase the understanding of these electromechanical marvels; not only from a "how do they work?" standpoint, or from a "what specific models have been produced?" standpoint, but also to gain a perspective of the sequences of development that occurred - that is, a feel for how these machines have evolved over time.

Product Details

• Paperback: 518 pages
• Publisher: Ec Designs Inc; 1st edition (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965734404
• ISBN-13: 978-0965734400
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

This review is from: Evolution of the Audio Recorder (Paperback)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

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)   

This review is from: Evolution of the Audio Recorder (Paperback)

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book on audio recorders!, March 30, 2010

By 

Stephen H. Lafferty - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Evolution of the Audio Recorder (Paperback)

This is a very enjoyable book on tape decks and recorders which offers something for everyone:
- If you are non-technical, the richly illustrated sections tracing the evolution of the recorder are enlightening and fun to read. Many reproductions of vintage ads and catalog pages.
- For techies, the chapter on Service and Restoration is the most practical and effective guide I have ever found to bringing vintage tape machines back to their full potential. While I have a good bit of experience in audio restoration, it really inspired me and gave me the confidence to dive into some fascinating work on tape decks.
- If you just want to see what the hoopla was about, the 126-page color section showing a huge collection of interesting tape machines is a real treat.
- For those who could use a good reference on high fidelity tape recording, the sections on equalization and such, along with the impressive catalog of schematics are very useful.

I must admit that when I was considering buying this book, I wondered whether it was worth the price. It has well-earned its cookies. Considering all of the experience, color pictures, diagrams and fun that Van Praag has included, it's a real bargain.