Test tapes continued....

When you have decided on the previous things, you still have to choose between different test tapes.

The most popular tapes are speed and flutter, and multifrequency tapes.
The "speed" tape is used for measuring  how the tape transport performs.
Usually, there is a tone of about 3000 Hz recorded with very exact frequency.
Playing the tape, you connect a frequency counter, and if it shows anything but 3000 Hz (or whatever frequency the tape has), you have to adjust the speed.
There are also other things that can be measured that has to do with how well the tape transport works.

Multifrequency tapes, are tapes used for adjusting most of the things we mentioned in mechanical and electrical adjustments.
Below is a figure showing the contents of that tape.
(There is a voice announcing what will happen on the tape, so that you know "where you are").


Headphones are a good idea so that you can hear the voice announcements...
 

The first part is a 1000Hz tone. That tone is recorded at the fluxivity level you ordered the tape for.
Here is where you calibrate VU meters to show "0" dB, and adjust electrical levels.

Next are a couple of  frequencies for azimuth adjustment. They are often -10dB compared to the reference level.
The first tone at 500 Hz is for adjusting your instruments before the actual measerements start with at least 2 frequencies.
(Why there are several frequencies you can read more about in azimuth adjustments).

Then, there are a number of frequencies. These are for checking the frequency response.
Here the equalization matters, and one must know how to use these tones for adjustments.
These frequencies are normally recorded "weaker" than the reference level (1000 Hz tone), as
recorders may have a problem reproducing strong, high frequency signals.

Finally, there is the 1000 Hz tone.
This is because the adustments you  have done to azimuth and so on could have affected
the level adjustments, and instead of rewinding the tape, you can check the level once again.

There are a variety of test tapes to choose between, but the "multi frequency" tape is a good start.
One can even use this tape to adjust speed, but the accuracy is higher if you use a tape specially recorded
for speed adjustments.

Even though reel to reel recorders are not seen very often, test tapes are still manufactured.
MRL and TEAC for example are well known for their alignment tapes.
 
 
TASCAM BR-20

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