Analogue reel-to-reel tape recorders do need an occasional line up, to cope with head wear, and to keep up with changing tape formulations. You will need a test tape, which has tones recorded to precise levels, an oscillator, a tweaker (a screwdriver with a very small metal blade which doesn’t interfere with the high frequency bias oscillator in the machine), and someone to show you how to do it. Alternatively, there are a number of people who advertise this kind of service. Pro studios check and line up their machines often, you should have it done at least once a year. Occasionally you may find that your digital recorder will glitch when playing a tape recorded on someone else’s machine. This is a sign that at least one of the two machines needs aligning. This can be done as part of an overall service.

You will almost certainly find a reel of gaffer tape and a reel of masking tape in any studio. There will always be a time when cables need to be taped down, or something needs holding in place temporarily (cheap studios use gaffer tape to hold their mic stands together!). Masking tape is useful for keeping cables neatly coiled, and also for attaching notes to equipment showing control positions or fader assignments.

Tape, and associated items, will form most of the running costs of your studio. If you use a DAT machine, buy DAT tapes from studio suppliers rather than the local corner shop. If you have a digital multitrack that runs on video cassettes, make sure you buy exactly the type of cassette recommended by the manufacturer, otherwise you are asking for trouble. The duration of S-VHS cassettes used for ADAT recording is sometimes puzzling. If you buy a tape intended for PAL or SECAM video, then you will get around a quarter of the stated video running time in your ADAT. For example, a nominal 180 minute tape will last just over 40 minutes. In the USA where they have NTSC video, the video tape speed is different, so a 120 minute NTSC video cassette will also last for just over 40 minutes in an ADAT. Other than the amount of tape inside for the stated duration, there is no difference between NTSC and PAL/SECAM video cassettes.

If you use stereo analogue reel-to-reel tape, seven inch spools will be useful, especially if you need to send tapes to other people. The type with the large centre hub, shown here, is more friendly to tape recorders than the small centre variety. It doesn’t hold as much tape of course, but many machines have a tension problem with small hub spools. It is not usually necessary to buy empty 10 1/2" spools. As you use up more and more tape, you will probably find yourself giving them away.

Tools

These items are not compulsory, but any home studio is bound to involve a bit of DIY. I don’t need to describe everyday toolkit items which you probably have already - screwdrivers, electric drill etc. Shown here are the items most relevant to the studio. Note especially the side cutters and long-nose pliers. Wire strippers come in an enormous variety. I have found this type, similar to types available from DIY and electrical shops, the most useful for general small quantity work.

Wiring

If you get into wiring, then the correct supplies are essential. Bodged wiring will not do. Shown here are binding sleeves, sleeving lubricant, sleeving tool, heat shrink and expanding braid sleeve, heat gun, cable ties and stick on cable tie bases, cable numbers. A hot air paint stripper will work very effectively as a heat gun, a hair dryer isn’t hot enough.

Miscellaneous