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Here is a listing of Analog Tape Head mechanical alignment parameters:
1. Tape Head Height: This parameter involves the vertical orientation of the tape head with respect to the tape itself. Proper adjustment locates the tape head stacks in vertically equal alignment with the tape. Tape head gaps should fall in proper alignment with the prescribed location of the tape tracks when this parameter is adjusted properly. No tape head gaps should fall partially above or below the tape edges, but should be within the tape edge guard band defined for the particular tape format.
2. Wrap: This parameter defines the arc over which the tape travels past the tape head gap(s). When properly adjusted, the gap should be in the precise center of that arc.
3. Zenith: This parameter defines the front to back orientation of the tape head with respect to the tape. In other words, the tape needs to be mvong in the same plane as the tape head surface. If it is not, uneven tape head wear will occur and the head will fail prematurely (loss of high frequency response on some channels on a multi channel machine).
4. Azimuth: This parameter defines the perpendicularity of the tape head gap(s) with respect to the direction of tape travel. If this parameter is not adjust properly, high frequency loss will occur and / or stereophonic image will become distorted due to group delay issues. Azimuth can be adjusted using your Diamond Cut softwares X-Y plotter. Please refer to your users guide for details.
5. Tension: This parameter is the force with which the tape is contacting the tape head surface. If this value is too low, tape dropouts will occur. If it is too high, excessive tape head wear can occur. On simple machines (like most cassette decks), this paramater is mostly defined by a felt pressure pad which squeezes the tape between itself and the tape head. On sophisticated reel to reel machines, the back torque on the tape supply reel motor determines this paramater. On these machines, this adjustment is made electronically and not mechanically. Also, on sophisticated reel to reel machines, the tape tension is maintained at a constant value electronically via a compensation servo system.
keyword: tape deck, head alignment
1. Tape Head Height: This parameter involves the vertical orientation of the tape head with respect to the tape itself. Proper adjustment locates the tape head stacks in vertically equal alignment with the tape. Tape head gaps should fall in proper alignment with the prescribed location of the tape tracks when this parameter is adjusted properly. No tape head gaps should fall partially above or below the tape edges, but should be within the tape edge guard band defined for the particular tape format.
2. Wrap: This parameter defines the arc over which the tape travels past the tape head gap(s). When properly adjusted, the gap should be in the precise center of that arc.
3. Zenith: This parameter defines the front to back orientation of the tape head with respect to the tape. In other words, the tape needs to be mvong in the same plane as the tape head surface. If it is not, uneven tape head wear will occur and the head will fail prematurely (loss of high frequency response on some channels on a multi channel machine).
4. Azimuth: This parameter defines the perpendicularity of the tape head gap(s) with respect to the direction of tape travel. If this parameter is not adjust properly, high frequency loss will occur and / or stereophonic image will become distorted due to group delay issues. Azimuth can be adjusted using your Diamond Cut softwares X-Y plotter. Please refer to your users guide for details.
5. Tension: This parameter is the force with which the tape is contacting the tape head surface. If this value is too low, tape dropouts will occur. If it is too high, excessive tape head wear can occur. On simple machines (like most cassette decks), this paramater is mostly defined by a felt pressure pad which squeezes the tape between itself and the tape head. On sophisticated reel to reel machines, the back torque on the tape supply reel motor determines this paramater. On these machines, this adjustment is made electronically and not mechanically. Also, on sophisticated reel to reel machines, the tape tension is maintained at a constant value electronically via a compensation servo system.
keyword: tape deck, head alignment