Brings back memories. I worked at one station that served as a network head-end for several stations and we had three of these side by side, and three SP decks (single decks). The three triple decks were used to send commercials to three time zones, while the SP decks were used for music only. It was wild. You'd have to load the EAST spots in deck one, the CENTRAL spots in deck two and the WEST spots in deck three; then pray all the spots timed out right for the rejoin to music. They finally gave up the network feed and we got to use the triple decks all for music and spots (all local by that time). Fun memories. The relays are also used for SECondary and TERtiary tones to trigger other things. We used SEC tones to trigger the next deck, like if you had three songs in a row, you put a sec tone at the end of the song where you wanted the next song to start. Ive also seen the TERtiary tones used to alert the board operator that there was ten seconds left on the currently playing spot or song. Those tones were laid on the CUE track--which had the 1K tone that stopped the cart once it had played. The TERtiary tone was 150Hz and the TERtiary tone was 8KHz, I think. Thanks for the video and memories!
Thank you Jeff. I have never worked in radio, my interest is more as a hobbyist, being impressed by the superb build quality etc. It's great to hear of real experience such as your own. Thank you for your comment.
i have a single player the motor was making noise it sounded like it had a bad bearing when i took it out of the case the motor capacitor was bad it was leaking oil i replaced and the motor plays and sounds good 1.5 mfd 660 vac .
The ITC 3D was the machine I used in my first job in commercial radio. The station had 2 side-by-side in the equipment rack that was right next to the tabletop where the mixing console was. The 3Ds had their audio outputs summed together so that the left machine would play on one potentiometer of the board, and the right machine was on another. Since all the music and spots were on carts, it was possible to do a whole radio show on 3 pots, 2 for the tapes, and one for the microphone. Oh those were the days... 1977.
They were indeed!! I have only ever done hospital radio (about 1977) and we so aspired to having proper cart machines, but could not afford such luxury. I imagine, some radio presenters love the latest tech whilst others would go back to the 'old school' in a flash. Would I be correct? Thank you for your comment. Steve.
I'm working on a Schulmerich Magnabell. I replaced the rubber tension wheel and now it won't stop playing after the song ends. If your not familiar, it is a continuous play cart. Any advice on what may be wrong?
Hi Mark. I googled the machine and it looks fascinating, not having seen one before. I imagine it will play any recordings, but optimised for bell sounds perhaps? Anyway, after giving this some thought, assuming there is some kind of electro magnetic device operating the pinch wheel, it may need a little adjustment, as it could be sticking 'on' due to residual magnetism. Maybe there is a gap that needs to be restored so it releases when it should when de-energised. Hope this helps, Mark.
The solenoid is likely binding. I just worked on a 1987 version of this and 2 of the three solenoid plungers were binding and would not release. had to sand about 1/2" and polish and wax them and now they work perfectly.
Sorry, only just seen your other comment. If you tell me the symptoms I could possibly advise, but If you prefer, I would be happy to take a look. One point I would warn of, which is not obvious...the solenoids work via bridge rectifiers, DIRECTLY FROM THE MAINS. Bl..dy dangerous if you're unaware. Just thought it was worth mentioning.
Yes, they come up on the auction sites now and then. Be sure to check the voltage and mains frequency, as the motor speed is governed by this frequency. ie USA 60hz and UK 50hz
Brings back memories. I worked at one station that served as a network head-end for several stations and we had three of these side by side, and three SP decks (single decks). The three triple decks were used to send commercials to three time zones, while the SP decks were used for music only. It was wild. You'd have to load the EAST spots in deck one, the CENTRAL spots in deck two and the WEST spots in deck three; then pray all the spots timed out right for the rejoin to music. They finally gave up the network feed and we got to use the triple decks all for music and spots (all local by that time). Fun memories.
The relays are also used for SECondary and TERtiary tones to trigger other things. We used SEC tones to trigger the next deck, like if you had three songs in a row, you put a sec tone at the end of the song where you wanted the next song to start. Ive also seen the TERtiary tones used to alert the board operator that there was ten seconds left on the currently playing spot or song. Those tones were laid on the CUE track--which had the 1K tone that stopped the cart once it had played. The TERtiary tone was 150Hz and the TERtiary tone was 8KHz, I think.
Thanks for the video and memories!
Thank you Jeff. I have never worked in radio, my interest is more as a hobbyist, being impressed by the superb build quality etc. It's great to hear of real experience such as your own. Thank you for your comment.
i have a single player the motor was making noise it sounded like it had a bad bearing when i took it out of the case the motor capacitor was bad it was leaking oil i replaced and the motor plays and sounds good 1.5 mfd 660 vac .
The ITC 3D was the machine I used in my first job in commercial radio. The station had 2 side-by-side in the equipment rack that was right next to the tabletop where the mixing console was. The 3Ds had their audio outputs summed together so that the left machine would play on one potentiometer of the board, and the right machine was on another. Since all the music and spots were on carts, it was possible to do a whole radio show on 3 pots, 2 for the tapes, and one for the microphone. Oh those were the days... 1977.
They were indeed!! I have only ever done hospital radio (about 1977) and we so aspired to having proper cart machines, but could not afford such luxury. I imagine, some radio presenters love the latest tech whilst others would go back to the 'old school' in a flash. Would I be correct? Thank you for your comment.
Steve.
I'm working on a Schulmerich Magnabell. I replaced the rubber tension wheel and now it won't stop playing after the song ends. If your not familiar, it is a continuous play cart. Any advice on what may be wrong?
Hi Mark. I googled the machine and it looks fascinating, not having seen one before. I imagine it will play any recordings, but optimised for bell sounds perhaps? Anyway, after giving this some thought, assuming there is some kind of electro magnetic device operating the pinch wheel, it may need a little adjustment, as it could be sticking 'on' due to residual magnetism. Maybe there is a gap that needs to be restored so it releases when it should when de-energised. Hope this helps, Mark.
The solenoid is likely binding. I just worked on a 1987 version of this and 2 of the three solenoid plungers were binding and would not release. had to sand about 1/2" and polish and wax them and now they work perfectly.
Thanks Kevin, I haven't touched the solenoids so that makes sense.
Hi Steve, I have 2 of these machines but only one slot works properly on each one. Could I pay you to look at these and fix them if you can?
Sorry, only just seen your other comment. If you tell me the symptoms I could possibly advise, but If you prefer, I would be happy to take a look. One point I would warn of, which is not obvious...the solenoids work via bridge rectifiers, DIRECTLY FROM THE MAINS. Bl..dy dangerous if you're unaware. Just thought it was worth mentioning.
I've been looking for years for an nab cart machine
Ebay is a good place, as mine have been purchased on that site, or maybe some radio stations may still have one or two stashed away.
Are these type of machines available to buy in the UK?
Yes, they come up on the auction sites now and then. Be sure to check the voltage and mains frequency, as the motor speed is governed by this frequency. ie USA 60hz and UK 50hz