Designer: Jacob Jensen

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BeoCord 6002

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 6002

This advanced cassette deck was a fine example of the way Bang & Olufsen employed new technology to obtain useful functions with easy, logical operation. Microcomputer intelligence was the basis of many of the Beocord’s unique features, including the use of real time (actual minutes and seconds) to measure tape consumption.

You knew exactly how much recording time was left on your cassettes, so that you could fit in the various tracks precisely without wasting the last few metres of tape every time. Once recorded, the same microcomputer could find individual tracks for you, too. Just key in the address (counter of reading) of the passage of music you want to hear. The cassette fast rewound to that position and played the track automatically for you.

Recognition between chrome and ferric tapes was automatic: a manual switch selected metal tape characteristics. The M&X record/replay head was made of a special type of super permalloy and Dolby B Noise Reduction was included.

Beocord 6002 incorporated Bang & Olufsen’s (then) latest HX-Professional recording system (HX-Pro), developed in co-operation with Dolby laboratories. This technique effectively extended the recording headroom (peak-level ceiling) of all types of tape, and operated automatically during recordings to give stabilised frequency response, wider dynamic range and better signal-to-noise ratio. In other words, you got disc-quality sound from normal ferric or chrome tapes, so you didn’t have to buy expensive metal tapes for professional-sounding recordings.

An electronic Peak Programme Meter registered recording level, which you set by separate sliders for left and right channels. The electronic clock and 24-hour timer allowed you to make recordings or play a tape automatically at any pre-set time.

Beocord 6002 could be used as a stand-alone tape cassette recorder or as part of hi-fi systems such as Beosystem 6000 or Beosystem 8000.

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BeoCord 6000

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 6000

Beocord 6000 measured 53cm wide x 13cm high (24,5cm with lid open) x 30cm deep. The slim cabinet was finished in a choice of natural teak or rosewood.

With improving specifications of cassette recorders, tape manufacturers also made progress in the formulation of tape. Standards committees decided to classify tapes into three main categories: oxide tape, chrome tape and metal tape. The newer categories allowed improved recording performance, but also required different recording bias levels to achieve the improvements.

Manufacturers of cassette recorders incorporated switches to adapt the recording characteristics to the tape, and later a system of slots at the back of the cassette were standardised, so that the recorder was set to the correct type of tape during recording. It should be added that once recorded, replay conditions were identical for all tape types, so that once the cassettes were recorded, they could be replayed on any machine.

Beocord 6000 closely resembled the top of the range Beocord 8000 but had black keys to match those on the Beomaster 6000. The Beocord 8000 was replaced at the time of the introduction of the 6000 by the 8002 which offered Dolby HX Pro in addition to its other features.

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BeoCord 8002

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 8002

Beocord 8002 was one of Europe’s most advanced cassette recorders, yet electronic automation made it by far the easiest to use. Microcomputer control meant operational errors were impossible.

A new development – the Dolby HX Professional recording system or ‘HX-Pro’ automatically optimised bias levels relative signal content, thus ensuring professional standard recordings every time, no matter whether you used, ferric, chrome or metal tapes. In addition Beocord 8002 had the ability to indicate recorded and playback time in minutes and seconds so you could plan your recordings economically.

Finding the start of a particular track was automatic: you just had to key in the required ‘address’: computer logic then found it for you. You could also program the deck to make unattended recordings at any given time within a 24-hour period.

When coupled to Beomaster 8000 all recording and playback functions could be operated by remote control using the BeoLab terminal. Beocord 8002 could be used as a stand-alone tape cassette recorder or as part of hi-fi systems such as Beosystem 6000 or Beosystem 8000.

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BeoCord 5000 (1984)

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 5000 1984

A top-quality cassette recorder, perfectly matched to Beomaster 5000 as part of Beosystem 5000. When the two units were used together the cassette deck could be operated entirely by remote control.

Beocord 5000 was of very advanced design in both its technical features and in its control/operations systems. For the home recording enthusiast it offered superb standards of sound quality and precision engineering. Bang & Olufsen’s patented HX PRO recording system, Dolby B and Dolby C Noise Reduction and a 6-layer Canon combination head with a 1.8mm gap all contributed to a recording and playback performance that delighted even the most exacting technician.

For the novice or the non-technical music lover, Beocord 5000 represented a supremely straightforward way of making high-quality recordings and subsequently enjoying them in relaxing comfort.

Every possible convenience was built into the Beocord’s control system. There was a START/GO function that rewound the tape to its beginning and played it without further instruction. And an automatic ADVANCE function (tape search) that found the start of any required track from either end of the tape.

Selection between ferric, chrome and metal tapes was fully automatic, and setting the correct recording level was quick and easy using the input sliders and LED signal strength meters. You could switch instantly from one tape transport mode to another (e.g. from play to fast rewind) without any danger of tangling the tape or harming the mechanism.

The cassette tray and direct operation controls were housed in a motor-driven drawer which opened and closed at a touch. When used with Beomaster 5000, Beocord 5000 could, of course, be programmed to record or play automatically at any set time.

Connections: stereo microphone (DIN); Aux input DIN; data-link to Beomaster 5000 (one socket, 3-way switchable)

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BeoCord 5000 (1975)

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 5000 1975

Beocord 5000 was a superior cassette deck with a Sendust tape head, dual capstans and a special servo drive system which secured low wow and flutter-data. Electronic recording level indicators (Peak Programme Meters) and the Fade in/Fade out functions facilitated exceptional recordings of the most demanding types of music. An automatic demagnetizing device helped ensure optimum signal/noise ratio at all times.

A Hall generator secured the most reliable automatic stop at the end of play. Because it worked electronically it was superior to mechanical systems which are always subject to wear and tear, stress and strain. Naturally Beocord 5000 incorporated Dolby B Noise Reduction circuits. You could also switch from fast forward to fast rewind, or normal play, without endangering your tapes or damaging the drive mechanism.

Despite these technological refinements Bang & Olufsen still didn’t forget the greatest advantage of the compact cassette – that of convenience. That’s why Beocord 5000 was so easy to use. The logically-arranged easy-touch buttons were clearly marked to aid simple, problem-free operation. An illuminated read-out panel told you the operational status of the deck at all times. The display could be read through the black Perspex cover which protected the cassette housing against dust. The unit had two peak programme meters which reacted faster than conventional VU meters in registering recording level and thus ensuring optimum recording quality.

There were two main design models in the Beocord 5000 range:the three head type 4705 was replaced in 1977 with the twin head 4715/4716 models.

What you need to know is that these were the only cassette deck with a B&O designed mechanism. It was designed to be to cassette decks what the Beogram 4000 was to record players. From a technical point of view, it was way ahead of its time.

However it was stupendously complicated and this hit reliability hard. The three head version hardly ever worked fully and the later two head was only a little better. Gorgeous to look at and packed with features, it will break your heart! B&O replaced this with the Beocord 8000, which had a bought in tape transport….

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BeoCord 4500

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 4500

Beocord 4500 cassette recorder housed exciting details and distinguished technology. Like Auto Reverse, so you did not need to turn over the tape. Automatic registration of the type of tape, and Bang & Olufsen’s patented HX-PRO recording system that provided optimal sound reproduction. Both in design and technology, Beocord 4500 was a direct extension of Beomaster 4500.

The cassette recorder featured Bang & Olufsen’s own HX-PRO recording system which ensures that recordings are made as perfectly as possible. With the Beolink 1000 terminal or by lightly touching the panel itself, you could select a particular piece of music you wanted to hear. The search system found it automatically whether it was on Side 1 or Side 2 of the cassette. For Beocord 4500 had Auto Reverse so you did not have to turn the tape over.

The recorder was also equipped with Dolby B and knew exactly what type of tape you were using. Beocord 4500 could be used as part of the Beosystem 4500 hi-fi system.

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BeoCord 1500 (1979)

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 1500 1979

Beocord 1500 matched several Beomaster receivers in design, concept and performance level. It was also technically compatible with non-Bang & Olufsen products. If you simply wanted to record and play back cassettes without any extra refinements or facilities, this deck was for you.

The slanted control panel was logically planned and really simple to use. The VU meters and sliding input control made the setting of correct recording levels easy and accurate. The 3-digit tape counter had a memory function that helped you locate the start of a particular passage of music.

Quality recording and playback was further ensured by the super Permalloy tape head, highly stable motor/drive system and Dolby B Noise Reduction circuit.

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BeoCord 900

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 900

Beocord 900 was the simplest of Bang & Olufsen’s range of cassette-recorders.

Your only task was to choose the type of tape to put in: Cr02 or normal. Beocord 900 had large easy-to-read VU meters and recording controls were separate for left and right channels. There was a socket for a microphone and a push-button for mono recordings.

Tape-heads were made of Super Permalloy, a hard and extremely durable material which ensures a long useful lifetime. Wow and flutter was less than 0.28% (JIS method). Signal-to-noise ratio was better than 50 dB with chromium dioxide tapes.

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BeoCord 1100 (1975)

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 1100

The fact that the Beocord 1100 was equipped with Dolby B Noise Reduction system immediately placed it among the market’s better cassette decks (catalogue 1977 / 78).

It had all the facilities you needed for recording compact cassettes and replaying them through an existing amplifier system. The combined record/playback head was made of Super Permalloy, an extremely durable material which ensured a long useful lifetime and had excellent magnetic properties. Other refinements included an electronic auto stop at end-of-tape and a switch for selecting between chromium dioxide and normal (ferric oxide) tapes.

The setting of correct recording levels was by way of individual controls used in conjunction with VU meters for left and right channels. Beocord 1101 was technically identical to Beocord 1100 but had a different exterior finish.