Customer Reviews

Evolution of the Audio Recorder

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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.

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.

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.

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.