tape recorder
Tape recorder
(religion, spiritualism, and occult)Atape recorder can be a useful tool for receiving communications from the deceased. In You Can Communicate With the Unseen World (1974), Harold Sherman wrote, “By use of an ordinary tape recorder and/or a radio set attuned to unused frequencies, spirit voices of purported entities are being received.” This is known as Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP).
When setting out to record such spirit messages, many people start with either a short prayer or a brief period of meditation. The technique is to then set the tape recorder to “Record,” to state the date and time, and then to leave it running. The recording is best done in an area where no sound would normally be picked up. Any spirit voices may be heard upon playing back the tape. The volume should be turned all the way up and the resulting background “noise” (e.g. possibly a hissing sound) listened to carefully. With a multi-speed tape recorder, it is recommended that the tape be played back at a different speed from that used for recording. Although spirit voices will speak at any time of the day or night, it is best—initially at least—to conduct experiments at the same time every day.
Some researchers will ask questions at intervals during the recording of the tape. This gives spirit a chance to address those questions. If this is done then it is suggested that the last question be an invitation for spirit to say something of his or her own choosing.
In There Is No Death (2003), Tom and Lisa Butler said, “There are no rigid rules for experimenting with EVP … EVP has been recorded on just about everything that will record voice frequencies.” Reel-to-reel recorders were used at first, and later cassette recorders were used. Today there are personal note recorders, or digital note-takers, which are known as IC recorders. According to the Butlers, these perform even better than the cassette recorders, and produce results on par with reel-to-reel.
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tape recorder
[′tāp ri‚kȯrd·ər]Tape Recorder
a device for the magnetic recording and reproduction of sound.
Depending on their quality and intended use, tape recorders are classified as professional, studio, semiprofessional, or home models. Professional tape recorders are designed for the synchronous recording of sound (with a visual image) on perforated magnetic tape and are used in sound films. Studio recorders for recording on unperforated 6.25-mm magnetic tape are used in radio broadcasting, motion-picture studios, recording studios, television centers, and wherever high-quality sound recording is required. Semiprofessional recorders, most of which require 6.25-mm tape, are used for recording dispatcher communications in transport and for audio-frequency signals in scientific studies. For amateur recording and the playback of commercial tapes, home models are adequate. In addition, there are dictating machines; reporters’ models, light portable machines with independent power supplies; and students’ models, which are designed for parallel dual-track recording and which may be plugged into external monitors in foreign-language labs. Tape decks, as well as combinations of tape recorders and other types of equipment, such as radios and turntables, are available.
A tape recorder consists of a tape drive mechanism to advance the tape; electric signal amplifiers; magnetic heads for recording, playing back, and erasing the recordings; a high-frequency oscillations generator; a recording level indicator; and a power supply. The high-frequency (40-200 kilohertz) current from the generator is fed into the coils of the recording head (for magnetizing the tape) and erasing head. The basic quality of the recorder depends on the degree of magnetization. The optimal strength of the magnetization current is chosen for each type of magnetic tape. To simplify and reduce the cost of tape recorders (particularly, those for consumer use), a universal amplifier head is used (for sequential recording and playback) in conjunction with a universal magnetic head (see Figure 1).
The magnetic tape is usually wound on a spool (in professional recorders) or reel (in semiprofessional and home recorders). In the new cassette recorders the tape (occasionally, the magnetic wire) is contained in a closed cassette that is easily inserted and removed. Cassettes protect the tape from dust and manual contact and simplify the operation of the recorder.
Unlike the monophonic recorders described, which have a single channel for recording and playback, stereophonic recorders have a more complex design: each channel requires separate amplifiers, heads, and speakers. Consumer-model stereophonic recorders have two channels; professional stereophonic recorders may have as many as six.
The basic quality indexes for magnetic recorders with nonperforated tapes are established by GOST (All-Union State Standard).
GOST also specifies tape speeds of 38.1, 19.05, 9.53, and 4.76 cm per sec. Some tape recorders provide for two or three operating speeds, as required. The quality indexes depend on the use for which the recorders are intended, their class, and the operating speed. As a rule, the higher the tape speed, the higher the quality indexes.
REFERENCES
Kurbatov, N. V., and E. B. lanovskii. Spravochnik po magnitofonam, 3rd ed. Moscow, 1970.GOST 12107-66, 12392-66, and 13265-67.
V. G. KOROL’KOV