[Vintage-Audio] Selecting Tape On H. Scott Amp

[Fred Olsen]

Hi Duane,

I'll not copy this to the list for several reasons.  One, I don't have a 
Scott at hand.  Two, this is from memory of how things used to be, so 
some of it is conjecture.  Three, I ain't no expert.

The extra or auxiliary input is likely at line level with flat 
equalization.  This might work for tape playback if the output of the 
deck in question is equalized to flat.  It is more likely intended as a 
mixer input, or simply a spare, for whatever purpose.

The rear tape loop jacks are what was actually intended to be used, and 
this derives from "back then" when tape decks were not considered a 
primary input source.  Before prerecorded tapes were common it was 
assumed that the user would use tape for off-air recording.  I still 
have boxes of tapes of The Met peeling away someplace.

When playing a tape one sets the tape monitor switch to "tape", which I 
would expect to cut off other sources.  When recording, the "source" 
position is obvious and the "tape" position will provide a check of 
as-recorded if one is using a four-head deck.  That can be confirmed by 
switching between the two and noting the transit delay.  With less than 
four heads it simply follows the source.

The source equalizations of tape and disc were different.  The NAB 
(National Association of Broadcasters) position is intended for a tape 
source and the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) position 
is intended for disc.  (I say disc to distinguish between "rec-ord" and 
"ree-cord".)  Don't ask me to recite the specifics of either curve as it 
has been way too long.  When playing a disc, set the equalization to 
phono, and to tape for tape.  This function was integrated into the 
input source switching on virtually all later preamps, and is separate 
here because of the tape not being considered a primary source.

Further nuances would need to be determined from the operating 
instructions and/or the skiz.

Best regards,
Fred
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