Tech Info: Sonicraft A2DX Lab - Ultimate Multitrack Analog-to-Digital Transfers

Sonicraft A2DX Lab was designed to meet a specific need in the professional audio community: to provide the ultimate open reel analog-to-digital transfer service. We support every studio-grade and project studio analog tape format and noise reduction system used in the USA as well as Europe and other parts of the world.

If it's on open reel analog tape, we can transfer it into the digital domain with unsurpassed quality.

Here you will find technical info on the inner workings of the A2DX Transfer Lab. There are additional links to detailed Tech Notes in many of the sections below.

Large Format Multitrack Recorders
One-inch 4, 8, & 12-Track Formats - Classic Scully Sound
Ultimate Half-Inch 3-Track and One-Inch 4-track Transfers
Smaller Pro Formats
Two-track Mastering Machines
Semi-pro / Project Studio Formats
Noise Reduction
The Wiring
The ADC Converters
Tape Baking & Restoration
"Phatzilla": the Ultimate Analogizer

Large Format Mutitrack Recorders

MM1200 #1 - Fully restored and extensively modified

One of the most remarkable achievements of the team that put together Sonicraft's A2DX Lab is our fleet of fully-restored and extensively modified Ampex MM1200 multitrack machines.

Why this particular make and model? We chose the Ampex MM1200 over any other multitrack platform for a number of reasons: sonic excellence, ability to control challenged tape, simplicity of design, availability of parts, and availability of significant upgradable components.

Before we tackled the first A2DX Ampex MM1200 restoration project, we did countless hours of research, testing, prototyping, and comparisons. We wanted to determine what kind of improvements over stock performance we could achieve. We investigated changes in heads, components, and signal paths, as well as other modifications. And, we discovered a wealth of innovations, products and strategies that would allow us to achieve significantly better multitrack analog playback.

Our expectations for the outcome of the restoration project were high. But, when we finally brought our newly renovated A2DX Ampex MM1200 on line, it yielded detail and sound quality well beyond what we hoped for.

For more in depth info on the A2DX Ampex MM1200 and Tech Notes on our restoration and improvements to three of them, click here.

One-inch 4, 8, & 12-Track Formats - Classic Scully Sound

The Mighty A2DX Scully 284-12

We have completely restored an all-original 1968 "Bridgeport" Scully Model 284 one-inch 12-track recorder.

Three original Scully head assemblies enable this machine to handle 1" 8-track and both of the incredibly rare 1" 4-track and 1" 12-track formats.

One-inch 4-track is also supported on our A2DX MR-70-4. And, one-inch 8-track and 12-track are supported on our A2DX Ampex MM1200s.

But, if you prefer the classic sound of this wonderful old Scully recorder, here it is.

Ultimate 1/2" 3-Track and 1" 4-track

We felt that 1/2" 3-track and 1" 4-track were special formats that deserved special treatment. So, we've built our ultimate 1/2" 3-track and 1" 4-track machines on the ultimate platform - the legendary Ampex MR-70.

The Ampex MR-70 is the final and best-sounding professional vacuum tube analog tape recorder ever built. There are many who feel that the sound of this machine has never been surpassed. It is believed that Ampex technicians hand-made only 50 of them and that every one was in some way custom-built.

For more in depth info on the Ampex MR70 and Tech Notes on our restoration and improvements to three of them, click here.

Ampex MR-70 1/2" 3-Track Vacuum Tube Recorder

The performance of this MR-70 3-track is amazing and sonically, it is stunning.

Note that the MR70 supports all of the various equalization curves in use during the golden years of 3-track recording including NAB, CCIR, DIN and AME equalization.

The Sonicraft A2DX MR-70 one-inch four-track is truly one of a kind.

The head assembly had to be custom built from the ground up. Greg Orton of Flux Magnetics hand-crafted the heads to the highest possible standards. John French of JRF Magnetics came up with an ingenious design to ensure rock-solid tape guidance and head contact.

Custom MR70 1" 4-track head assembly

The performance of the A2DX MR-70 one-inch 4-track is extraordinary.

Support for all of the various equalization curves used by one-inch 4-track machines both in the United States and in Europe is built into every MR-70.

If you have half-inch 3-track or one-inch 4-track masters to transfer, these are the ultimate machines to do them on.

We are continuing to restore and enhance MR70 components. Other formats can and will be made available. Contact us for details.

Ultimate Ampex MR-70 1"4-Track Vacuum Tube Recorder

Smaller Pro Formats

Half-inch 8-track, 4-track, 3-track and 2-track tapes as well as quarter-inch 4-track, 2-track European DIN stereo and full-track mono, can all be transferred into the digital domain with ultimate quality on our thoroughly customized Ampex 440Cs.

Ampex 440Cs fully rebuilt with Flux heads, RTZ record and repro amps, fixed precision guides and constant tension mods

Basically a subset of the Ampex MM1200, these machines provided the platform used to prototype the A2DX Ampex M1200 improvements. The machine on the right was the first machine to undergo the A2DX restoration and enhancement process.

Extensive listening tests have proven these machines to be amazingly accurate as well as "pleasantly transparent". Furthermore, performance of the transports of these machines has been dramatically improved over stock units.

For Tech Notes and in depth info on advancements made to the A2DX Ampex AG440C machines, click here.

Two-track Mastering Machines

Ampex / ATR Services ATR-100

Half and quarter-inch 2-track tapes can be transferred from our ATR Services rebuilt Ampex ATR100.

Studer A80 RC

Especially delicate 1/4" 2-track tapes are best played on this fully restored Studer A80 RC.

Besides its exceptional ability to safely handle the most difficult to play tapes, this particular model is also noted to be the finest-sounding of the Studer machines.

Tapes recorded and stored on European AEG / DIN hubs can be played as-is or moved to standard NAB reels for transfer on any of the A2DX 1/4" mastering machines.

If you are looking for the ultimate vacuum tube sound for your 1/4" 2-track transfers, look no further.

A2DX Ampex MR70 1/4" 2-track

This Ampex MR-70 machine has been given the same kind of exhaustive restoration and enhancement as the A2DX 1/2" 3-track and 1" 4-track machines previously discussed.

All US and European equalization curves are fully supported.

Semi Pro / Project Studio Formats

The full range of semi-pro / project studio formats

As mentioned above, we can configure our fully optimized Ampex 440C machines for ultimate 1/2" 8-track and 1/4" 4-track transfers.

Additionally, we carefully maintain the full complement of analog tape machines needed to make excellent transfers from even higher track-density project studio formats like 1" 24-track, 1/2" 16-track, Akai 1/2" 12-track and 1/4" 8-track.

Every possible combination of track format, reel size, tape speed and noise reduction system is supported.

Noise Reduction

Sonicraft A2DX maintains the full range of professional noise reduction systems including 24-track racks of Dolby A, Dolby SR, dbx Type I and Telefunken / Telcom C4. Furthermore, we've taken vital steps to prevent undesirable degradation of your transfers by ensuring optimal tracking of the noise reduction systems.

Please click here to read the A2DX Tech Notes on why Sonicraft's noise reduction decoding is superior.

Top to bottom: Patch bay and 24 tracks of Mytek 96/24 ADC, dbx Type II NR, Dolby A, Dolby SR, Telcom C4

Sorting through the many configurations of professional noise reduction systems was an enormous job. We needed to be sure that the latest versions of each were indeed the best and would be fully backwards-compatible with tapes made on earlier systems. We purchased, rented and evaluated practically every style of Dolby and dbx noise reduction system. In fact, for dbx Type I decoding, we purchased and evaluated a total of six different dbx multitrack noise reduction systems before we made our final decision.

Both the Dolby A system and the Dolby SR system are Dolby's latest design and are housed in XP racks. The dbx Type I (professional) system utilizes 911 modules in 900A frames. The Telcom C4 system is an ANT e413 rack utilizing C4 E modules. Each of these represents the latest and best of its kind, all meticulously maintained and calibrated.

The Wiring

All of the wiring in the Sonicraft A2DX transfer lab is done in short discrete runs of the very highest quality and heaviest gauge Mogami cable. All patch bays and patch cords are quarter-inch military grade products and all connections are hand-soldered. Power for the analog equipment is supplied through a very high-quality isolation transformer. And, we use optical connections between the analog-to-digital converters and the capture workstation to isolate the electrical systems of the analog equipment from the computer.

The ADC Converters

Sonicraft A2DX analog-to-digital converters are current Mytek 8X96 units capable of up to 96kHz / 24-bit sampling. These converters are truly amazing and have been chosen for their ability to capture every bit of the quality, accuracy and detail of sound that we have worked so hard to deliver to them.

Beyond that, our 8X96 A2D converters have been factory-modified with precision calibrated 2 db stepped attenuators so we can more accurately tune their individual channels to the levels on your tape.

We have recently a pair of Mytek 8X192 converters into service. These converters sound stunning and allow us to capture up to 16 channels of 192 kHz / 24-bit audio.

Tape Baking & Restoration

Baking Tapes in the Fisher Scientific Laboratory Incubator

As you may know, a large percentage of older analog tapes suffer from stickiness and shedding. For more info, see our article on tape baking and restoration. In order to make these tapes safe to transfer, they must be recured by "baking".

Many tape restoration facilities use kitchen appliances for this purpose. For the ultimate in safe handling, we use a Fisher Scientific incubator designed for critical use in research labs. A precision piece of laboratory gear, it can hold temperature to within 1/10 of a degree Celsius. Drift of temperature beyond 3 degrees will shut the unit down.

Spacious interior dimensions allow the full range of tape reel sizes up to 16" reels of 2" tape.

Sometimes there's more to restoration than baking. Analog tape can be amazingly resilient. Before you give up on one of your masters, consider letting us see what we can do. You might be surprised. For example:

Before

2" 16-track Master Before Restoration

This is a 2" 16-track master from the mid-1970s which had been in a flood and then stored for several years under the worst of conditions. The box was literally disintegrating, the metal hub retainer from the box was fused to the interior of the tape hub and corrosion in the hub was so bad that the tape could not be mounted on any of our machines. The condition of the tape itself was so deteriorated it could not be wound or played.

After

2" 16-track Master After Restoration

This is the same 2" 16-track master after A2DX restoration. During the restoration process, we baked it, cleaned it, remounted it on a new hub, leadered and re-boxed it. It transferred with perfect results. Here you see it after transfer, library wound and ready to be placed in safe storage.

The Matrix

The Formats and Noise Reduction page shows the complete matrix of tape formats, speeds, noise reduction support and other important information.

"Phatzilla": the Ultimate Analogizer

"Phatzilla": Sonicraft A2DX Lab's fully restored Ampex MM1000-16 is The Real Deal Analogizer

The yearning for "Phat". How do you infuse your digital tracks with the sonic character of analog tape recording? There are now a lot of "analog tape simulators", products that claim to simulate what is the indefinable euphonic character of analog tape recording. The key word is "simulator". They use an assortment of gimmicks trying to get around the inescapable fact that nothing really sounds like the real thing.

Perhaps you are dreaming of front-ending your Pro Tools, Nuendo, Logic, Sonar or other digital audio workstation with a multitrack analog tape machine? Are you really up to choosing, purchasing, restoring and maintaining one?

Sonicraft A2DX Lab has the ultimate answer for you! "Phatzilla", the Ultimate Analogizer is here and ready to roll tape.

We know analog tape recording and A/D/A conversion inside and out. Let us Analogize your digital tracks. We'll bounce them out to "Phatzilla" and recapture them back into the digital domain for that "phat analog sound" on your digital projects.

Please click here to read the A2DX Tech Notes on Phatzilla: the Ultimate Analogizer!

Use Sonicraft A2DX Lab as your ultimate "Plug-In". Take your choice of any of our analog multitracks. Every A2DX machine has full erase/ record/ play capability.

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