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Ampex 3200

69.108.138.138
Posted on October 20, 2009 at 21:01:58
pepericoz
Audiophile

Posts: 32
Location: So.Cal
Joined: July 28, 2008
 Anyone has any info on this duplicator?basically it built around their 300 transport, what about repro and record unit? how does it compare to their 351? any info will be greatly appreciated.Thanks.

RE: Ampex 3200, posted on October 22, 2009 at 10:38:28
Bill Thomas
Industry Professional

Posts: 1330
Location: Southern USA
Joined: January 3, 2004
 I worked at a facility that used highly modified Ampex 3200 units. We had a Master unit and ten slaves - all running about 18 hours a day, 5 1/2 days a week. (Ampex type 642 tape was specifically developed for use on our duplicators).

The Master machine ran at 120 or 60 ips. The reproduce head preamplifier was custom-designed and built to improve the performance of the dubs. It was contained inside the head-nest assembly. As grhughes stated, the bias frequency on the standard units was 1 MHz. (Ours ran considerably higher than that)

I did not work in the duplication area of the facility specifically, but it was just "down the hall" from my "normal" work area. At the time (during the early 1980's) we were the largest single consumer of Ampex and 3M (Scotch) recording tape in the world; mainly due to our duplicators. I once saw a quarterly tape bill from Ampex. It was for $465,000.00!

Our duplicators were actually flat from 30 Hz to 18,000 Hz (+/- 1.5 dB). They were scrupulously maintained (and they NEEDED to be!)

Could a unit be converted to regular playback at 7 1/2 ips or 15 ips? Well, the transports would require new motors, (along with other modifications), but the electronics would need to be replaced with conventional record/reproduce electronics and the heads would also have to be replaced. In other words, it wouldn't be easy, but I suppose it *could* be done!

I wish I had more specific information for you, but that about sums up my knowledge of these beasties. Back "in the day", they were workhorses!

Hope this helps.

Bill

RE: Ampex 3200, posted on October 22, 2009 at 15:06:03
ironbut
Audiophile

Posts: 1115
Location: no california
Joined: February 21, 2004
 Hey Bill,
What company was it?
If you read the post I have below, I'm looking for as much info as I can find regarding reel to reel duplication facilities of all descriptions.
Any more info would be greatly appreciated!

Please e-mail me with your e-mail address., posted on October 23, 2009 at 16:35:54
Bill Thomas
Industry Professional

Posts: 1330
Location: Southern USA
Joined: January 3, 2004
 I would prefer not mentioning the company here because it will lead to a BARRAGE of questions about so many different things that I might not be able to handle due to my limited amount of time available.

Suffice it to say, the company in question recorded music, issued tapes and issued phonograph records - NONE of which were intended for purchase or use by the general public. We also produced material on cassettes at the time. I was directly responsible for issuing material on phonograph records. During a period of two weeks, I had to oversee the remastering of 55 sides (on top of my "usual" duties). It was a 24/7 proposition for two weeks, but we got it all done!

Needless to say, the company was destroyed from the top. Management made TERRIBLE decisions and also raped and pillaged the company until there was nothing left to produce any revenue. When I arrived at the company, there were 88 VERY creative people working there. When I left (five years later), there were 22. It folded a year and a half later.

Truly sad.

Bill

RE: Ampex 3200, posted on October 22, 2009 at 13:21:50
pepericoz
Audiophile

Posts: 32
Location: So.Cal
Joined: July 28, 2008
 Thank you Bill,very usefull information!

RE: Ampex 3200, posted on October 21, 2009 at 13:06:36
pepericoz
Audiophile

Posts: 32
Location: So.Cal
Joined: July 28, 2008
 Thank you all,i have a chance to grab the master unit with all electronics set up (repro and record) plus about 10 slave units for $250.i haven't had a chance to see them in person.i would rather gather as much info as i can so it will be worth the trip to come and check them out.(1 hour drive).if the reproduce electronic is anything close to the 351 that will be awsome,it can be modified to work with 15ips but i think it used 12sj7 instead of 12ax7 ( about 30 tubes?) this info i got from radio museum website.Oh man, if i get them,i gotta figure out the space for them, slave machine is about the size of the washing machine, master unit with electronics is as big as a refrigerator.......Ouch.......

The metal envelope tubes, posted on October 21, 2009 at 13:34:08
grhughes
Audiophile

Posts: 1871
Location: Central US
Joined: February 17, 2004
 They (RCA, GE, Sylvania) discontinued the helical wound, hum bucking filament in many of the replacement metal envelope tubes and substituted a filament that is prone to hum.
"I think the journey should be just as enjoyable as the destination." GRH
Duplication facilities, posted on October 21, 2009 at 12:11:32
ironbut
Audiophile

Posts: 1115
Location: no california
Joined: February 21, 2004
 I've been trying to locate as much info as I can regarding the duplication facilities used by RCA, Capitol, Sonotape, etc..
I've already found some good info on Mercury/Command, BC and a little on Ampex.
The kind of data I'm looking for is;
Location
Timelines (especially changes in dup speeds, formats)
Equipment used (and modification of that equipment)
Tape used
And the folks who were in charge of these facilities (sometimes bio info can lead to more interesting stuff)

I'm also trying to locate folks who were employed at these facilities for first hand accounts while they're still around.

RE: Duplication facilities, posted on October 21, 2009 at 12:50:12
Botanico92007
Audiophile

Posts: 273
Location: San Diego
Joined: March 15, 2006



Here's a photo from a Stereotape brochure included in the 2-track tape box. No identification of the tape decks, but they make an impressive lineup. I assume these are 3200s.

The technical data from the back of the box of 2-track Bel Canto tapes, at least the tapes with a Culver City address, states, "Latest duplication equipment (Ampex 3200-C) provide a wide dynamic range at a 1:1 ratio of duplication."

These were all pre-1960 tapes.
RE: Duplication facilities, posted on October 22, 2009 at 06:21:06
jcmusic
Audiophile

Posts: 905
Location: New Orleans, La.
Joined: June 13, 2006
 Yea!!! What I would give to be able to run through a place like that now!!! WOW!!! Great pic!!!

RE: Duplication facilities, posted on October 21, 2009 at 13:03:24
ironbut
Audiophile

Posts: 1115
Location: no california
Joined: February 21, 2004
 Wow, nice photo!
Thanks a heap.

Yes! RE: Ampex 3200, posted on October 21, 2009 at 08:24:44
grhughes
Audiophile

Posts: 1871
Location: Central US
Joined: February 17, 2004
 If you have a slave then they are set up for record only at 4x or greater speed (60 ips, 120 ips, etc). If you have a master reproduce unit then you are set up for play at 4 x or greater speed. The record bias is 1mhz or above and have enough power to drive several slaves (record heads) at once. The electronics with the metal enclosed tubes are not as desirable as the more modern using miniature tubes. Ray Hughes
"I think the journey should be just as enjoyable as the destination." GRH
More..I have a manual in my files., posted on October 21, 2009 at 08:44:01
grhughes
Audiophile

Posts: 1871
Location: Central US
Joined: February 17, 2004
 I'll have to dig it up. Ray
"I think the journey should be just as enjoyable as the destination." GRH

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