Ampex mm-1200 sound

[vikingdude]

I like the Ampex mm-1200 sound. Is there any of the smaller Ampex macines like for example a 2 track that will give you the same sound (or close to) as the mm-1200?

[I'm Painting Again]

the 440, 440b, 440c..they exist in Full Track..2track 1/4" and 1/2", 4 track 1/2", 8 track 1"..i think they are close to the mm1200..4 and 8 track heads are kind of hard to get though..

[soundguy]

the 440 uses the same bias and amplifier circuits as a 1200. The input transformer on the playback card is a different ratio, but the differences in the electronics on paper at least are very similar. Ive always found the 440 to sound way more agressive where a 1200 sounds really smooth. An atr is "smooth" like a 1200 but I dont have a wealth of experience mixing on them. Ive been on the 1200track, 440 mix, atr master program and its a combo that works really well for me.

dave

[Nathan Eldred]

I've got a MM1200 2" 16 track, and a Ampex ATR 800 1/4" two track which was an Ampex designed machine made in Japan (and the last machine they ever made). Some people are really down on the ATR 800, and some say it was the best machine Ampex ever made in the way of electronics. I've compared the two on stereo material, and since they have the same exact track width it's a good comparison. There isn't much of a difference, the 800 has that "Ampex" tone, it's just a little more open than the 1200. If they made an "800" 2" 16 track I buy it in a minute. I think that between having the same group of guys design the machines, having transformers in the machine, have the same track width, and using the same type of tape are all factors that contribute to the similarities.

[vikingdude]

Thanks for your replies very helpful.

So the ATR is not the same design as the AG440, thus the ATR and the AG440 sounds different, is that correct?

[soundguy]

An atr and a 440 couldnt be more different. A 440 has tremendous character, and thats it praising point. It also has a transport that was designed by chipping a mechanical drawing into the side of a cave with a stone. An atr pretty much has the coolest transport ever and was designed to NOT have incredible character. The "transparency" of an atr of course gives it its own character but you could say that they went out of their way to design an ATR to NOT sound like a 440 in regards to the "color" of the electronics. The ATR transport is completely awesome, the 440 transport is tolerated by the people that love the machines for the awesome sound they make. One one level or another, a 440 seems to be the more interesting recording deck and the atr the more interesting playback deck.

dave

[aurelialuz]

.4 and 8 track heads are kind of hard to get though..

i dunno, i'd think the 4 track heads are pretty easy to get. there still are people with piles of 440 parts around and everybody wants the 1/4" 2 track heads.