This makes my neurons glow warmly. When I was in college learning broadcasting, I learned how to splice and edit tape on a unit very similar to this. I don't care what modern technologists say, there was a warmth to the old reel-to-reel that CD's and MP3's will never have (I imagine the vinyl guys say the same thing). Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
I have had my pioneer rt 909 almost 20 years and i am still enjoying the beautiful sound of this machine whether i am playing a tape or recording a tape its a great deck. Thanks for posting this it makes love my pioneer rt 909 more.
Excellent tutorial for a BEAUTIFUL machine, thanks for sharing ! I currently have 2 RT-1020s, a RT-707, and a Teac X-1000R among my gear, and am now lusting for a 909 ! :-) Like John Lennon sang "I`m just sittin` here watching the wheels go round and round, I really love to watch `em roll"
I love the 909 and the 707 decks. They are so well built and thought out as well as a work of art to look at. Thank you for the egghead porn. Truly beautiful!
I was watching an episode of Knight Rider and saw one of these in it. I was hooked ever since then. I've done some homework on it and its considered the BMW of open reel tape decks. After seeing this demo, I must get one. My dad has a Pioneer 1020L that's older than me and it still works. I must have this RT-909.
Thanks for the reply.It's not just a beautiful design it also looks like great engineering. Smooth mechanism. Damn the internet! Another thing i now want to own. Nice video.
Loved your explanation! I just inherited one of these units in almost mint condition except, as you pointed out, for the capstan belt, which I'll replace shortly. I'm looking forward to recording some of my CD's into tape just for the vintage factor. Really sweet deck.
Love the look and sound of the RT 909! I have the Pioneer RT 701 that I got on E-bay I really like it, and easy to work on. I also have the Teac 3300-10 Reel to Reel, but I want one more, they are just so cool to look at! You can find alot of videos here on You Tube to do repairs yourself!
I have this machine. I believe the repeat function works in conjunction with the automatic reverse; sensing tape. With the repeat on, the deck re-plays the tape from the begging once the counter reaches 0000.
general public is SO EASILY confused when 'techs' mention "the other side of the tape" - as in 2:30 in... to be avoided... The whole four track/quarter track thing is bad enuf !! NOT meaning to be a Grinch but Pioneer was not the first to incorporate a 'tape lifter' system to cut down on head wear; nor were they first with consumer deck servo control for smooth high speed winding. Great decks !! Quite informative video All-In-All !! The TIMER START is used w/an external timer to enable REC or PLAY while no one is at 'home' OR it can wake you up with your favorite morning music !! My X2000 & I do this... FUN way to start the day.
You're an excellent tutor. My problem my machine was gone but I still have my recordings, I am looking to buy a rt909. I bought a Teac that plaid the music to slow.
Since there are 66 comments, I didn't take time to read them all. I had one of these for YEARS and the timer function is kind of interesting, albeit was a bit worthless for my use. Connect the AC plug to some sort of device that would turn it on (a clock-type timer for example) and it will turn the machine on when the power is applied. There is one caveat, however. If you have those record mode buttons pressed in, it will start recording on the tape that you have threaded, otherwise it will begin playing. Make sure you don't have a tape loaded that you want to keep. I'm sure there are people out there that would find it useful, but not me. Incidentally, I bought this machine for $799 plus tax in 1981 at a place I think called WJL Sound in Denver, Colorado, if I recall. This was an incredibly expensive purchase at the time (remember, it was 1981), but not the highest priced machine I could have purchased. Teac and Akai were also on display; some more expensive, some cheaper. It was the best looking, however, and the cheapest that could handle the 10 1/2" reels. One thing it missed and a feature I would have liked is bi-directional recording. There was an Akai that did it that handled the large reels, but it was about $1,000 and a little out of the range of price I was looking for. 4 heads to do bi-directional recording, but it still had a tape monitor function in both directions. There was also a 6 head which made more sense. But this one did have very low noise and a frequency response that went higher than a dog whistle (there aren't very many speakers that can keep up with that!). Just thought I'd add a bit to your great video!!!
There is one additional feature...the capstans spin at very slightly different rates allowing for tape tension on the heads...it does not use a pressure pad. The way to find this out is to pull the tape away from the heads while it's playing (not really recommended for a decent quality tape...I used a junk tape) and watch as the machine reestablishes tension against the heads fairly quickly. No pressure pad to wear the tape or just another part to have to replace down the road when the glue dries out and it falls off...you're sitting there wondering what happened to all of the frequency response (it's very muffled when that happens...or it doesn't play at all). Another little FYI that I thought you'd find interesting.
Oh snap...Leonard didn't post that, Gil did. I was setting up an account for him and forgot to sign out of his and back into mine. Ah well, that's okay.
Great video, I have an RT-909 (1980), RT-901 (1979) and on the RT909, the repeat button sends the tape reverse to forward when the counter reads "9999" and the timer switch puts the deck into play when you use an external power cord timer and record when power is applied with the 2 record safety switches are down.
The "Small/Big Reel" button does not "take horsepower" for small reels, but adjusts back tension according to the position it is dialed in. This is done this way on all decks accommodating both sizes because the more/less mass it needs to handle. Nice deck; could use some calibration too
The timer button probably lets the machine start in play or rec. mode if powered on with an external timer of any kind connected to main chord. Many cassette decks has the same feature. Great video btw.
To put things right, the belt replacement NEEDS to be followed by a speed adjustment. This is done using a speed calibration tape with a 3000Hz signal and the adjustment needs to be monitored on a frequency counter. Any other adjustment of speed is totally wrong and not recommended. The tape path in FF and REW does not touch excessive components (pinch rollers) to preserve the much more sensitive tape, rather than the less sensitive and replaceable deck components :)
Timer function, just a guess but I bet with it pressed in when machine will either play or record once powered up. This enables you to use a time to turn on the deck and record radio programs at a scheduled time. Just a guess mind you.
Hey weberaudio, just acquired one of these, very helpful video.. Everything seems to work but the play function itself.. I can hear the tape when i manually turn it. Also, the fastforward function works, so i suppose that motor is functional. Do you think it could be a broken belt as you mentioned in the video? Also, my rollers are totally gone, with just some of the gummy residue remaining, I figure i should replace those. Any good websites/resources for replacement parts?
Hello I got a question when I record on my pioneer 909 VU meter , and from source shows me very nice level recording ,soon as I record something and put the same tape whatever I record to the different reel to reel recorders then I see low level, And again the same tape on the completely different reel to reel Machine maybe I'm doing something wrong? thank you
Hello, I just picked up one of these units locally. When I press play the reels run very fast. I'm new to reel-to-reels and would appreciate your input.
Because there is no need of that extra complication to deliver that quality of music to your ears. Spotify and a worldwide satellite network thanks to space era texhnology delivers instant online digital music 320kbps (soon lossless audio) delivering up to 20khz when a human ear cannot surpass 16 or 17khz. For 10 usd a month you have all the music you want on a ess sabre dac on any good cell phone, you can store your playlist on the cloud and share them with millions of users. So now its not about the gear its about the music. Of course if you like the machine and the gear go ahead with all that complications its always nice to see things turning, these machines are a work of art in themselves, but its not about the music ajjaajja its about the machine, like a tourbillon watch vs a quartz.
I've own mine for about 5 years now,is it normal for the tape to wind unevenly when fast forwarding or rewinding,adjusting the screw doesn't work,any suggestions from any expert please.
Anyone know if RT-909 it will support slower speed recorded reels, have some small reels recorded by parent during vietnam to send home ... according to wikipedia tape normally moves at 3 3⁄4 or 7 1⁄2 inches per second and they may be recorded at 1 7/8? Tried on a on an akai that admittedly neededed repair and it played like chipmunks at either of its 2 speeds.
Anyone know where I can get the tape clamps for this machine decent price ? Also tape reels, i know every one mentions ebay, so expensive there... Thanks
My sister in law gave my brothers stereo system to me after he passed away, it included one of these. Is yours 110/220 switchable? I've seen them switchable and non switchable, the one I have is.
MSRP was $900 in 1979, which was about a month`s take-home pay for the average guy back then. The big discount shops (Crazy Eddie`s, WDS, Uncle Steve`s, etc.) typically knocked about 20% off the MSRP.
Sorry soundtechguy, but anyone who knows these decks knows to NEVER clean the pinch rollers with any kind of alcohol. The original rollers will melt. Some of the aftermarket replacements will as well. Use soapy water first and if they don't get clean use an emory board to re-dress them in play mode. Don't use a tape you care about, or lock the tensioners in place with string and do it that way.
This makes my neurons glow warmly. When I was in college learning broadcasting, I learned how to splice and edit tape on a unit very similar to this. I don't care what modern technologists say, there was a warmth to the old reel-to-reel that CD's and MP3's will never have (I imagine the vinyl guys say the same thing).
Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
I second that. Thank you very much.
Brought one back from Germany in 83 while serving in the military beautiful machine.
What a gorgeous machine!!! Absolutely love it!!! Amazingly logical piece of engineering!!! Why can't things be made like that today???
I have had my pioneer rt 909 almost 20 years and i am still enjoying the beautiful sound of this machine whether i am playing a tape or recording a tape its a great deck. Thanks for posting this it makes love my pioneer rt 909 more.
Gotta love these old pioneers!! They still look modern-even today!
Excellent tutorial for a BEAUTIFUL machine, thanks for sharing ! I currently have 2 RT-1020s, a RT-707, and a Teac X-1000R among my gear, and am now lusting for a 909 ! :-) Like John Lennon sang "I`m just sittin` here watching the wheels go round and round, I really love to watch `em roll"
I love the 909 and the 707 decks. They are so well built and thought out as well as a work of art to look at. Thank you for the egghead porn. Truly beautiful!
I was watching an episode of Knight Rider and saw one of these in it. I was hooked ever since then. I've done some homework on it and its considered the BMW of open reel tape decks. After seeing this demo, I must get one. My dad has a Pioneer 1020L that's older than me and it still works. I must have this RT-909.
lobecosc exactly why I’m here. That ugly lady and her weird mind control sound...
use to own it had about 20 tapes i recorded myself but when cds came out i sold it a big mistake wish i still had it
Great video, very knowledgeable!!! Thank you.
Great review. Love mine
I did have the flywheel belt issue, as well as funny rollers. But it's 100% perfect now. Thanks for the great video!
Thanks for the reply.It's not just a beautiful design it also looks like great engineering. Smooth mechanism. Damn the internet! Another thing i now want to own. Nice video.
Loved your explanation! I just inherited one of these units in almost mint condition except, as you pointed out, for the capstan belt, which I'll replace shortly. I'm looking forward to recording some of my CD's into tape just for the vintage factor. Really sweet deck.
Excellent video sir
Excellent, thanks for the detailed demo.
Love the look and sound of the RT 909! I have the Pioneer RT 701 that I got on E-bay I really like it, and easy to work on. I also have the Teac 3300-10 Reel to Reel, but I want one more, they are just so cool to look at! You can find alot of videos here on You Tube to do repairs yourself!
Great video. I love my 909
" Boss-man ..Pioneer reel to reel ..just one fantastic machine 💜
d 🤕
excellent explanation. Thank you sir.
A beauty of exemplary engineering and perfect asthetics. I'm lusting for it.
Excellent and useful walkthrough, thanks very much.
I have this machine. I believe the repeat function works in conjunction with the automatic reverse; sensing tape. With the repeat on, the deck re-plays the tape from the begging once the counter reaches 0000.
general public is SO EASILY confused when 'techs' mention "the other side of the tape" - as in 2:30 in... to be avoided... The whole four track/quarter track thing is bad enuf !! NOT meaning to be a Grinch but Pioneer was not the first to incorporate a 'tape lifter' system to cut down on head wear; nor were they first with consumer deck servo control for smooth high speed winding. Great decks !! Quite informative video All-In-All !!
The TIMER START is used w/an external timer to enable REC or PLAY while no one is at 'home' OR it can wake you up with your favorite morning music !! My X2000 & I do this... FUN way to start the day.
thanks!!! this was really helpful for me
Отличная техника!!!!
I sure hope so!!
You're an excellent tutor. My problem my machine was gone but I still have my recordings, I am looking to buy a rt909. I bought a Teac that plaid the music to slow.
Very nicely done, thank you
midwestdigitalcorp f
Since there are 66 comments, I didn't take time to read them all. I had one of these for YEARS and the timer function is kind of interesting, albeit was a bit worthless for my use. Connect the AC plug to some sort of device that would turn it on (a clock-type timer for example) and it will turn the machine on when the power is applied. There is one caveat, however. If you have those record mode buttons pressed in, it will start recording on the tape that you have threaded, otherwise it will begin playing. Make sure you don't have a tape loaded that you want to keep. I'm sure there are people out there that would find it useful, but not me.
Incidentally, I bought this machine for $799 plus tax in 1981 at a place I think called WJL Sound in Denver, Colorado, if I recall. This was an incredibly expensive purchase at the time (remember, it was 1981), but not the highest priced machine I could have purchased. Teac and Akai were also on display; some more expensive, some cheaper. It was the best looking, however, and the cheapest that could handle the 10 1/2" reels. One thing it missed and a feature I would have liked is bi-directional recording. There was an Akai that did it that handled the large reels, but it was about $1,000 and a little out of the range of price I was looking for. 4 heads to do bi-directional recording, but it still had a tape monitor function in both directions. There was also a 6 head which made more sense. But this one did have very low noise and a frequency response that went higher than a dog whistle (there aren't very many speakers that can keep up with that!).
Just thought I'd add a bit to your great video!!!
There is one additional feature...the capstans spin at very slightly different rates allowing for tape tension on the heads...it does not use a pressure pad. The way to find this out is to pull the tape away from the heads while it's playing (not really recommended for a decent quality tape...I used a junk tape) and watch as the machine reestablishes tension against the heads fairly quickly. No pressure pad to wear the tape or just another part to have to replace down the road when the glue dries out and it falls off...you're sitting there wondering what happened to all of the frequency response (it's very muffled when that happens...or it doesn't play at all). Another little FYI that I thought you'd find interesting.
Oh snap...Leonard didn't post that, Gil did. I was setting up an account for him and forgot to sign out of his and back into mine. Ah well, that's okay.
Great video, I have an RT-909 (1980), RT-901 (1979) and on the RT909, the repeat button sends the tape reverse to forward when the counter reads "9999" and the timer switch puts the deck into play when you use an external power cord timer and record when power is applied with the 2 record safety switches are down.
Just got one in and will be reselling at midwestdigtalcorp
Thanks
top de aparelho
The "Small/Big Reel" button does not "take horsepower" for small reels, but adjusts back tension according to the position it is dialed in. This is done this way on all decks accommodating both sizes because the more/less mass it needs to handle.
Nice deck; could use some calibration too
Just snagged one of these for $40!
The timer button probably lets the machine start in play or rec. mode if powered on with an external timer of any kind connected to main chord. Many cassette decks has the same feature.
Great video btw.
To put things right, the belt replacement NEEDS to be followed by a speed adjustment. This is done using a speed calibration tape with a 3000Hz signal and the adjustment needs to be monitored on a frequency counter. Any other adjustment of speed is totally wrong and not recommended.
The tape path in FF and REW does not touch excessive components (pinch rollers) to preserve the much more sensitive tape, rather than the less sensitive and replaceable deck components :)
You can buy them on e Bay as a TEAC or REVOX accessory
Sorry, the RT 909 is not the flagship of Pioneer. The flagship is the RT 2044.
Timer function, just a guess but I bet with it pressed in when machine will either play or record once powered up. This enables you to use a time to turn on the deck and record radio programs at a scheduled time. Just a guess mind you.
Hey weberaudio, just acquired one of these, very helpful video..
Everything seems to work but the play function itself.. I can hear the tape when i manually turn it. Also, the fastforward function works, so i suppose that motor is functional. Do you think it could be a broken belt as you mentioned in the video?
Also, my rollers are totally gone, with just some of the gummy residue remaining, I figure i should replace those. Any good websites/resources for replacement parts?
I referbed one of these,got a pinch roller rebiuld kit works great. Do you have any advise for how to realign rhe heads.
I just received one of these and the belt you talk about was melted into the drive motor where can I get a new belt and how does it go on?
Hello I got a question when I record on my pioneer 909
VU meter , and from source shows me very nice level recording ,soon as I record something and put the same tape whatever I record to the different reel to reel recorders then I see low level, And again the same tape on the completely different reel to reel Machine maybe I'm doing something wrong? thank you
Hello,
I just picked up one of these units locally. When I press play the reels run very fast. I'm new to reel-to-reels and would appreciate your input.
Great Demo. I have one of these. Do you know who can refurb one of these in the New York City area?
perfect demo!!!!!!! too bad they do not make any audio gear like in those days.
Because there is no need of that extra complication to deliver that quality of music to your ears. Spotify and a worldwide satellite network thanks to space era texhnology delivers instant online digital music 320kbps (soon lossless audio) delivering up to 20khz when a human ear cannot surpass 16 or 17khz. For 10 usd a month you have all the music you want on a ess sabre dac on any good cell phone, you can store your playlist on the cloud and share them with millions of users. So now its not about the gear its about the music. Of course if you like the machine and the gear go ahead with all that complications its always nice to see things turning, these machines are a work of art in themselves, but its not about the music ajjaajja its about the machine, like a tourbillon watch vs a quartz.
I wonder, does this allow you to turn the reel motor off for cuing the tape for cutting? Thanks!
No.
I've own mine for about 5 years now,is it normal for the tape to wind unevenly when fast forwarding or rewinding,adjusting the screw doesn't work,any suggestions from any expert please.
Anyone know if RT-909 it will support slower speed recorded reels, have some small reels recorded by parent during vietnam to send home ... according to wikipedia tape normally moves at 3 3⁄4 or 7 1⁄2 inches per second and they may be recorded at 1 7/8? Tried on a on an akai that admittedly neededed repair and it played like chipmunks at either of its 2 speeds.
so you can put a plastic 7 inch reel on this?
Anyone know where I can get the tape clamps for this machine decent price ? Also tape reels, i know every one mentions ebay, so expensive there...
Thanks
Nice video
I bought one off of ebay 5 yrs ago for $550. I think that was a good deal ?
i wonder what happen when you put finger on the reel while fast forwarding.
My sister in law gave my brothers stereo system to me after he passed away, it included one of these. Is yours 110/220 switchable? I've seen them switchable and non switchable, the one I have is.
I also have a pioneer RT - 909, but it is malfunction of the light speed and sound.
That's a work of art! Any idea what they cost when new? It looks so expensive.
MSRP was $900 in 1979, which was about a month`s take-home pay for the average guy back then. The big discount shops (Crazy Eddie`s, WDS, Uncle Steve`s, etc.) typically knocked about 20% off the MSRP.
Me falta este modelo para armar mi vintage completo , lo único malo es que vale 2000 dólares , y no hay que es lo peor
Lo quiero
i need mine serviced. know any where in new york city that i can take it to get restored?
Because things like this made today would brake the bank :)
Oh... And they need to sell more plastic too :)
just bought one at a garage sale for 50 bucks ,, it just needs belts
its regular...
where can you buy the rollers?
ebay
Terry's Tires & Rollers... google it.
Smoke voice
I sure hope it's your camera mic making it sound so bad :D
360p really??
That video goes waaaaaay back
I apologize for the crap video quality... but most folks seem to like the content. Too late to fix it now.
i found a guy!!
ПРОДАЙ А?
Sorry soundtechguy, but anyone who knows these decks knows to NEVER clean the pinch rollers with any kind of alcohol. The original rollers will melt. Some of the aftermarket replacements will as well. Use soapy water first and if they don't get clean use an emory board to re-dress them in play mode. Don't use a tape you care about, or lock the tensioners in place with string and do it that way.
@djsuapstar03 go play with your ipod little boy
I have one of this for sale message me !
Nicolas Sabino how much?