Sony PCM-3202 digital reel to reel tape recorder

Posted by admin in Sunday, February 14th 2010

propcycle asked:

Sony PCM-3202 2-track digital reel-to-reel audio mastering recorder. Made in the late 80's, it operates at 44.1 or 48khz at 16-bit on 1/4" tape. Two analog cue tracks, ceramic capstan, 30 random access memory locations with built-in auto locator, time code, ±12.5% vari-speed, AB repeat. AES/EBU and SDIF-2 digital interfaces.

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25 Comments

grumpybb said in February 16th, 2010 at 7:51 am

I’m not an expert on digital recording but I’ve played around enough with DAT machines over the years to know a little. Yes, there’s a timecode embedded that tells the machine various data. I’m not sure how they go about keeping the signal syned-up when the pitch is changed. I’m assuming they increase or decrease the sampling rate. Hope this helps a little.

AppleOfGlasgow said in February 17th, 2010 at 8:38 pm

First one is LHB - Olivia Newton Christ

lemonlimestiv said in February 20th, 2010 at 2:28 am

what song is that?

EyMeng said in February 20th, 2010 at 3:56 am

no no. This is not analog. Still has no soul.

davlf1 said in February 20th, 2010 at 6:00 pm

amazing and beautiful

bumtownv2 said in February 22nd, 2010 at 9:41 am

That’s an amazing machine

PosnocMedia said in February 23rd, 2010 at 12:46 pm

LHB - Olivia Newton Christ

pvx said in February 24th, 2010 at 5:43 am

I’m curious as to how these digital open-reel machines like this one (and your X-86 you have video of) are able to do variable speed & direction playback (like you demonstrated using the cue/jog knob) like an analog machine. Is there some kind of “clock” track recorded on the tape for the deck’s D/A converter to follow and keep track of the samples recorded to tape so the DAC can adjust it’s sample rate accordingly to keep locked on to the tape’s sample stream, and hence the varispeed playback?

coondogtheman1234 said in February 26th, 2010 at 10:32 pm

nice machine, i like how both reels are connected or seem like they are when you turn them by hand you could almost scratch that way but thats prob not good for it. id love to get my hands on one of these unit hell maybe a multitrack recorder.

intelnibis said in March 2nd, 2010 at 6:08 am

Great machine of the good old times, it´s got a soul, not like todays recording technology. Could you please tell me the name of the first title you play ???

greetings
steven

propcycle said in March 4th, 2010 at 10:37 am

Ampex 466 or 467, 3M 275, BASF/EMTEC 931, and Sony D tape can be used.. I have not tried the instrumentation tape formulations; they might work, but aren’t common in 1/4″.
Digital machines cannot use standard oxide tape.

stijnkraft said in March 6th, 2010 at 8:00 am

What sort of tape does it use?
Any form of digital ampex tape (799 or so), or analog R2R tape? (Don’t think so?)

propcycle said in March 9th, 2010 at 6:25 pm

These sort of decks were only way to record dig. 2-trk in the early 80’s, so that’s the point (1610 was for press masters and NED’s DTD sucked). These recorders are useless today, which is “the point” of putting this video up.. you don’t see these in the wild anymore for good reason, so does it matter if Radar’s converters are better? They probably are; Radar is years newer and they’re not comparable machines in form or function, so it’s irrelevant. technology evolves, you realize

nikolamijic said in March 11th, 2010 at 6:18 pm

Wow,it sure looks great,but what’s the point?This is no real tape,it writes dig.signat to tape.Ok if it’s for the feel,but convereters and recoders like Apogee/Radar/are really up there.Ok,The “analog” still remains unbeaten.I adore it,no offence,but can’t figure out what for you need that machine?Arw the Cconverters better that those on Radar?Please,I’m really courious.Haven’t ment to spit in you soup,just looking for an explanation?Thanx
Wish you all the best.

propcycle said in March 14th, 2010 at 10:18 pm

the coercivity of standard tape (e.g. Quantegy 456, 499, etc) is incompatible with digital machines and will not work. Digital machines require metal-particle tape stock.

I believe the machine auto cross fades across tape edits if necessary and has strong error correction, it can handle mangled tape to some degree.. and I doubt parts are available, they certainly wouldn’t be worth the cost in comparison to the usefulness/value of the machine.

odakueffect said in March 17th, 2010 at 8:59 am

Very nice machine.

shstrang98 said in March 19th, 2010 at 7:21 pm

Have you ever tried recording on conventional “non digital” 1/4″ tape?
How about about mangled and badly spliced tape?
Can you still get parts and heads?

shstrang98 said in March 20th, 2010 at 5:34 am

OMG that thing is fine. I drooled all over my keyboard.

I remember seeing those (and the mits and otaris) in Mix and REcording engineer and producer mag.
Lusty machines.

propcycle said in March 23rd, 2010 at 9:49 am

DAT and ADAT used helical-scan heads like a VTR. This machine uses a fixed head, like an analog recorder. The format of this machine is known as ‘DASH’ - Digital Audio Stationary Head.

guimbadriver said in March 24th, 2010 at 8:46 pm

hey this deck record pcm in the tape, i imaginate that a digital audio recorder had a rotary head like a DAT recorder or a ADAT recorder like the video tape machines.

Maxxarcade said in March 24th, 2010 at 11:16 pm

Damn that thing is sweet… How much does it cost?

How does the sound compare to CD or other media? It looks like a high end mastering deck.

rmx77 said in March 27th, 2010 at 1:02 pm

thats an awesome song i wish i could get a copy of it on an actual reel to reel tape

propcycle said in March 28th, 2010 at 10:22 pm

Future Proof by Massive Attack

and I’m glad you enjoy them!

pitatom2002 said in March 29th, 2010 at 1:48 pm

I love your videos on your great machines. What is the name of the second song?

loradora132 said in March 31st, 2010 at 5:25 am

Damn these great machines of your just drive my nuts. I want one!