What are tape counters actually counting? And why do they never seem to match up from one recorder to another? Did anyone ever try to standardize them? Let's find out...
Time flow:
0:00 Introduction
2:12 Portable recorders
7:12 Vintage decks
10:36 High-end decks
13:15 Double decks
16:06 New decks
17:07 A de facto standard?
18:47 The 2X counter
24:22 Conclusion
Correction: The TEAC W-1200's counter measures the supply spindle, not the takeup spindle. So it doesn't conform to what I call the "de facto standard" for tape counters after all, but it would match ICIA 2X counter readings if you divided its counter readings by four.
#tape #counter #cassette