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1974 Tandberg 3600 XD
The electronics features peak-reading VU meters. In this recorder, 0-VU \
equals the tape saturation level, so
theres no guesswork as to whether the signal peaks - not displaye\
d by average reading VU meters - are
driving into distortion.
Another electronic highlight is the Dolby-record/Dolby FM. A single swit\
ch provides three Dolby functions: the
first is wideband Dolby record/play; the second is again Dolby record/pl\
ay but with an input filter to remove
any pilot signal which might leak through an FM tuner; the third switch \
position is for Dolby-FM, with a flat
record and a de-processed playback. In the Dolby FM mode, the signal fro\
m the FM station is recorded with
the stations pre-processing; on playback the signal is de-processed \
flat. Typical of the latest Dolby-FM
provisions on tape equipment, the 3600XDs record monitor is flat whe\
n receiving or recording Dolby -FM
signals, so the unit can function as a Dolby-FM decoder without need to \
go through the recording process.
The 3600XD has also been designed as a production centre for tho\
se who need more than straight
recording facilities, such as the photographic slide-show hobbyist. (In\
fact, an optional slide projector control
unit is available for this recorder.) A front-panel lever switch provid\
es SOS (sound on sound) and echo effects.
Also, since each track can individually be switched to the record mode, \
its possible to create multi-track
recordings, signal input mixing, individual track echo, and finally, the\
tape program can be mixed with a
microphone during playback.
Performance Plus.
The most outstanding thing about the Tandberg 3600XD is the sound qualit\
y. First off, the frequency response
at 3.75 ips and 7.5 ips is excellent. But more than frequency response y\
oull find that at 3.75 ips the signal-to-
noise ratio without Dolby is 58 dB (using the specified Maxell UD-35-7 \
tape.) Its 60 dB at 7.5 ips. This is as
good as some full-track studio recorders. With the Dolby active the sign\
al-to-noise ratio is better than 60 dB
wideband; 70 dB narrowband. In plain terms, the recording is essentially\
noise-free - dead quiet. A notable
achievement.
The sound quality of the recording itself was most impressive. With the \
signal peaks maintained at a meter-
indicated level of -5 dB, the listening panel heard no distortion or \
colouration whatsoever, even from live
piano recordings (which have peak signal transients usually running 10 \
dB and more above the average
program level)
At 0-VU peak signal level a very slight signal peak distortion was somet\
imes evident on live piano recordings
- never from other recorded sound sources. With instruments we traced\
a meter error of 5 dB commencing at
10,000 Hz and peaking at 15,000 Hz; in other words, tape saturation at 1\
5,000 Hz was at the meter indicated -
5 dB. Simply allow for the 5 dB, as we did, and the result is a superb r\
ecording. If your signal source doesnt
have excessive high-frequency energy, or youre not using condenser m\
icrophones, the error is meaningless,
and you can record at 0-VU. (But bear in mind we are nit-picking simply\
because the 3600XD is so
outstanding in sound quality. When we say there was a very slight distor\
tion, other recorders with standard VU
meters referenced to tape saturation - as is the usual case - are \
well into very noticeable distortion.)
Finally, the tape-to-head contact is so good we could record/play sustai\
ned tone without hearing wavers,
gargles or dropouts - another notable achievement; though some of the\
credit must go to the tape that was
used.
Summing up.
As you most likely perceived, we were highly impressed with the Tandberg\
3600XD. It packs a lot of sound
quality for the money and certainly deserves a listen at your local show\
room. (But make certain the dealer
demonstrates the machine with the tape for which the recorder is aligned\
.) Even if youre not in the market for
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1974 Tandberg 3600 XD
a recorder at the present time, listening to outstanding sound quality w\
ill be worth the trip.
Though they have standard VU-meter markings, the record-level meters are\
peak indicating, with 0-VU
referenced to tape saturation. The lever above the meters labelled s\
tart/stop is the pause control, which
releases the capstan pinch-roller pressure. The two push-switches below \
the meters are the left and right
record selectors - either track can be switched to the record mode in\
dependently of the other.
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