Akai DR1200

The machines do have a full operations manual and combine to form a 24 track digital system. Here is some third party advice about the transport problem.

“Faults are probably due to either the brakes sticking – preventing the tape pulling out of the cassette – or the pinch wheel mechanism is sticking. Either or both these things will happen if the system has been sat around unused for some time (which they have). These parts can be loosened with cleaning, using isopropyl alcohol or similar. The solenoid is beneath the deck mechanism – accessible if the front panel is removed. If you do not have the experience /confidence to do this anyone familiar with video cassette mechanisms might be able to help. The good news is this can be fixed with out replacing parts. More difficult would be aligning the tape path if required – this is more of a specialised task.”

Total of 24 tracks, 16 bit digital. Uses Video-8 cassettes for storage.

“These multitrack machines were used for the making of Recoil’s ‘Bloodline’ and ‘Unsound Methods’ albums. I linked two together making 24 tracks with one controller. I still have all the master video 8 tapes to go with them. If anyone wants to buy these machines, and get them working, I’d love to run the old master tapes through them to retrieve the individual parts and sounds, to be shared for some remixing perhaps. Is that an incentive?;)

 

I made an attempt to get the machines fixed years ago but couldn’t find anyone who could properly help. Apart from the capstan drive problem, they are in excellent condition and only ever left my home studio to make a visit to Konk studios where ‘Bloodline’ was mixed and ‘Surrey Sound’ for ‘UM’.”