Can a 4 track reel to reel also playback 2 track stereo tapes?

Type: auto reverse, double compact cassette deck

Track System: 4-track, 2-channel stereo

Tape Speed: 4.8 cm/s

Heads: 1 x record/playback, 1 x playback, 1 x erase

Motor: 1 x capstan, 1 x reel, 1 x mechanism

Tape Type: type I, CrO2, Metal

Noise Reduction: B, C

Headroom Extension: HX Pro

Frequency Response: 20Hz to 17kHz (Metal tape)

Signal to Noise Ratio: 73dB (dolby C)

Wow and Flutter: 0.08%

Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.8%

Input: 80mV (line)

Output: 300V (line)

Dimensions: 435 x 133 x 328mm

Weight: 4.9kg

The TEAC 3300 made in 1972 is an extremely versatile tape deck, designed for the beginner through simplicity of design, yet built to the high technical requirements demanded by the semi-professionals and experienced audio enthusiasts.
The unit will operate at 7.5 or 15 per second and is available in 2 or 4 track configuration.
Specifications

• 3300-10
• 3300-11
• 3300-12

• Track system: 4-track, 2-channel, stereo/monaural system Motor: 2 x reel, 1 x capstan
  Reel size: up to 10.5 inch reel
  Tape speeds: 3 3?4 7 1?2 ips
  Wow and flutter: 0.06% (7 1?2 ips)
  Frequency response: 25Hz to 24kHz (7 1?2 ips)
  Signal to Noise Ratio: 58dB
  Total harmonic distortion: 1%
  Crosstalk: 60dB
  Input: 100mV (line), 0.25mV (mic)
  Output: 0.3V (line)
  Dimensions: 440 x 440 x 235mm
  Weight: 20kg
  Accessories: empty reel, reel holder, connection cord
  

Download your manual here: Login HiFi Engine TEAC 3300 Stereo Reel to Reel Tape Recorder HiFi Engine

When was the last time you ran the "head cleaning" tape in the machine? As tape collects dust and dirt - it gets deposited on the recording and playback heads. This ruins playback and recording quality. Also, since tape is magnetic - they tend to magnetize the heads, too (just like reel to reel, 8 track & cassette player / recorders). Demagnetizing them will help too. Here are links to both products:

head cleaner

head demagetizer

If he had it done by a person who knows what he is doing he most likely used a 1/2 track tape recording device. These are different than 1/4 track unit as they are used professionally an for mastering. You would need to find a 1/2 track type deck to play the tape back- they are made by Tascam, Otari, Studer, Pioneer, Sony and other lesser brands.

I could sell you another that works, at least it did the last time I used it. I have a bunch of reel-to-reels, including a KW5066

It's a 4-channel recorder. That's four recorded channels in the same direction. You COULD use it like a standard 2-channel stereo recorder with bi-directional playback if you recorded only the front tracks. THAT would produce a 1/4-track stereo tape with two sides (directions).

In the photo, the front and back are clearly marked.

http://www.thevintageknob.org/SONY/sonyvault/TC7884/TC7884.html

Leave the Back Record switches in PB mode.

It's a 4-head reversable deck where the Forward tracks are arranged across the physical tape surface, front-to-back as follows:

ForwardLeft ReverseRight ForwardRight ReverseLeft

...so it sounds like the Reverse playback heads are engaged at the same time you play Forward, so you would hear those adjacent tracks backward. If you play the tape in the Reverse direction, is the Forward program audible (but backward)?

If so and in otherwise high fidelity, something in the Forward/Reverse head selection may be hosed.

Or, if the out-of-phase tracks are mushy and low volume, the physical tracking of the tape across the heads could be WA-A-A-A-Y bad. That would probably be visible as sideways distortion in the tape path. Shine a high-intensity light on the tape where is passes over the heads, then reverse it while watching where it sets up on the heads. It should be centered on the heads and not change its orientation when reversed. Compare where it tracks in motion with the probable visible wear marks (shiny bars across the heads perpendicular to the travel) where the tape has polished the heads over the years.

Or, the heads are so worn the coils pick up signals from their neighboring tracks.

Hi,

No it doesn't work.
A 2 track recorder is using bandsize /2, and a 4 track bandsize/4.

Regards,
Gerard

I also have an MR-929. The information that you need is in the 'Stereophonic 4 track stereo''. As stereo is only two tracks, there is another 2 tracks in addition to the one you are listening to. Wind the entire reel to the empty spool, and then play that. As you have to physically turn the reel over to do so, you should then hear the other tracks (or track, if recorded in mono).
I use my 929 to play my parents recording of my family from the late 60s, which were recorded on a valve (tube) Ferguson machine, which had a green "magic eye" level indicator, which as a child I found fascinating!

Howie

I bet your receiver has a Tape Monitor Loop and your EQ has one, too.

Run the EQ into the Tape Monitor loop - all out's on one to in's on the other.

Then run the deck to the EQ Tape Monitor, same connection pattern but REC may be substituted for IN and Play(back) for OUT.

The EQ also has a switch that decides if it will affect the Source or the Tape. So the EQ can be used for recording or playback of a tape PLUS any other analog source you listen to.