Beocord 1600 Type 4205 was a reel-to-reel tape recorder. Among its special features it had sound on sound, automatic recording level control and mixing controls The PA Amplifier could be operated without the motor running.
Bang & Olufsen’s Beocord 1600 tape recorder was designed by Jacob Jensen and was the second product to receive the iF Award in 1971.
This highly specified top-loading cassette deck closely matched Beomaster 2300 both in appearance and technical compatibility. But it was also worth serious consideration for use with any good hi-fi system, especially if ease-of-use was one of your demands.
Ferric, chrome and metal tapes could be used and the Dolby B noise reduction system kept your recordings clean and hiss-free. The large split-channel VU meters made it easy to set optimum recording levels using the input slider. The combined record/replay head was of long-life Sendust.
The 3-digit tape counter had a press-button reset; a memory function aided easy location of favourite tracks for repeat playing.
Piano-key controls separated all tape-transport functioned: these included a very precise pause control and a double-key record control – a safety check for preventing the accidental erasure of tapes.
Tape speed was highly accurate with deviation of less than +/- 1% and wow and flutter below +/- 0,15% DIN.
Beocord 2400 measured 40cm wide, 8cm high (11cm with cassette holder open) and 25cm deep. The slim cabinet was finished in either natural teak or rosewood.
At the 1969 Hanover Fair Bang & Olufsen and Jacob Jensen – designer of Beocord 2400 – were presented with the iF award for no less than 4 products for ‘outstanding industrial design’ including this sleek cassette recorder.
Beocord 1200 Type 4207 was a reel-to-reel tape recorder. Among its features it had sound-on-sound, automatic recording level control and mixing. The in-built PA amplifier could be operated without the motor running.
Beosystem 1200 – made up of Beomaster 1200, Beocord 1200 and Beogram 1200 was Bang & Olufsen’s B&O’s first designed system. The design ‘kinship’, which emphasised the interdependence between B&O’s various products, became a characteristic of B&O for many years. Beosystem 1200 was one of the first products selected by New York’s Museum of Modern Art for the museum’s permanent collection (not exhibition) in 1972.
In 1969 the Danish Society of Industrial Design awarded Bang & Olufsen and Jacob Jensen the ID prize for the Beomaster 1200 radio/amplifier, Beogram 1200 turntable and Beocord 1200 tape recorder for unusually beautiful and user friendly design. The jury emphasised in particular the Beomaster 1200 receiver which pointed in a new direction for the design of radios.
The 1200 series represented the logical continuation of the line of development and design which put B&O at the forefront of manufacturers of entertainment electronics.
Beocenter 4000 was an elegant combination of an AM/FM stereo receiver (in effect the Beomaster 2200) and a high quality cassette deck whose performance levels matched those of more expensive separate decks. The Sendust tape head ensured the best possible playback and combined long life with optimum frequency response characteristics. There were two motors – one for fast wind, the other for normal play – so tape transport was smooth and stable at all times. A Dolby B Noise Reduction circuit ensured high quality, low-noise recordings. Despite its many technical refinements and comprehensive facilities, Beocenter 4000 was simple to operate.
Beocenter 4000, in which all parameters concentrate on the quality of radio and tape reproduction, was an unusual alternative to a disc system. The addition of a matching Beogram from the Bang & Olufsen range, plus two Beovox S45 bookshelf or P45 wall-mounting speakers converted it into the complete top-quality Beosystem 4000.
Beocenter 4000 comprised a 2 x 40 watts RMS amplifier, an FM, Long and Medium wave radio and a stereo cassette deck incorporating all the features you would expect to find only in separate high quality decks.
Beocenter 4600 was a multi-way combination unit incorporating a 2 x 25 watts RMS AM/FM receiver, an easy to use hi-fi cassette deck and an automatic record player. The lightweight arm had built-in bias compensation and carried Bang & Olufsen’s MMC 20S pickup cartridge with spherical diamond stylus.
The AM radio covered long and medium wavebands. Outstanding reception quality and high selectivity was secured by an Automatic Gain Control circuit, active noise suppression and hybrid filters.
The FM tuner was highly sensitive. Four stations could be pre-set for subsequent instant recall. The hi-fi cassette deck had all the features and qualities normally expected only in a separate deck:
* 3-digit counter with memory function
* electronic tape stop at end of play
* Dolby B Noise Reduction
* chrome or normal tapes could be used
The super Permalloy tape head was hard-wearing and had a long, useful lifetime. The record player too was automated: all functions were controlled by a single button. The anti-skating device worked automatically too. Bang & Olufsen’s MMC 20 S pickup cartridge with a spherical diamond was an integral part of this unit. Two Beovox S40 speakers complete this system if this was your choice.
Beocord 7000 was a high-quality cassette recorder used specifically with Beosystem 7000. When playing cassettes, the order of the tracks could also be changed and the recorder could also find a specific track on a tape. Other functions included Auto Reverse, Auto Record levels, Dolby B and C as well as Bang & Olufsen’s recording system HX-Pro, which ensured that the sensitive treble range is captured in recording.
Beocord 7000’s features were supplemented by an abundance of special features. Space available precludes a more full description of elements such as the design of the peak programme meter, locally operated functions such as microphone recording, memo set/go, adjustment of the maximum record level and so on.
Main features:
Recording with Beosystem 7000 was a system feature, with benefits such as automatic signal routing, record lock, etc. Beocord 7000 contributed a lot to the convenience of the system and the unique auto record level was the feature that made remote controlled recording a real possibility – without compromising the quality of the recording. To further ensure a high and consistent sound quality level Beocord 7000 was equipped with HX Pro.
Auto record level is a unique Bang & Olufsen feature and ensures a uniform and optimal recording level from all sources, from tape to tape, without overload. Major benefits of auto record level are:
The assets of auto record level are obvious when a comparison is made between those carried out on a standard recorder without auto record level and those with.
Recording on a standard recorder requires you to supervise the recording in order to step in if the manually set input level is too high. In this case you would have to adjust the record level down when a signal with a high dynamic content is to be recorded. If this is not carried out the tape will be overloaded and the music distorted. Without auto record level, copying is in real-time, which means that you will have to pay attention all the time you are recording (or risk a distorted recording). And when a very wide dynamic signal threatens to overload the tape being recorded, the record level must be lowered quickly, which will often be audible in subsequent playback, either as a suddenly lowered output volume or as a distorted signal because the record level was lowered too late.
Auto record level is an efficient remedy to this problem, without both disadvantages mentioned above. Primitive solutions reduce the record level when powerful signals are recorded and increase the record level when weak or no signals are recorded. The result can be a fluctuating dynamic range with, for example, pauses between tracks causing the recording level to rise dramatically and the noise level with it.
The auto record level in Beocord 7000 was monitored by the microcomputer interacting with the peak programme meter indicator on the front of the cassette deck. Auto Record Level only reduces the record level and only if the signals exceed the set value for a certain period. In this way brief noise pulses, such as the ones resulting from scratches on a record, do not lower the record level. When a signal of more than +2 dB above the set value is encountered, the microcomputer lowers the record level with 2 dB. The recording continues at the lowered level unless even louder signals appear and trigger new reductions.
You did not have to pre-adjust Beocord 7000 before you started a recording. Another feature was the auto tape switch, i.e. an automatic adjustment to the three tape types, metal, chrome and ferro, by means of three electronic sensors located in the cassette holder. Auto-reverse was the default mode both in recording and playback, i.e. Beocord 7000 automatically continued the recording (and playback) on side two, when side one ran out. The turning time from side one to two was very short, because an optic sensor registered the lead-in tape and executed the 180 degree turning of the tape head immediately. Auto reverse could be cut out manually to protect side two from being recorded. This had to be done prior to record start.
Beocord 7000 featured track search, based on pauses between individual tracks. You could also make a sequence programming, operated just like CD. Track search was available no matter if the track was on side one or two of the tape. Even if you executed a manual TURN function (i.e. change playback direction) the microcomputer registered the turning point and if you selected a track after the turning point the search for this track would be initiated at the turning point. Track numbers could be displayed on Beolink 7000.
Another convenience was the Auto Dolby function. All tapes recorded on a Beocord 7000 contained inaudible information as to whether the tape was recorded with Dolby B, Dolby C or no Dolby noise reduction. The registration of noise reduction type was dynamic and in case the circuit registered a change during playback the reduction was automatically changed. If no signal was registered, e.g. on a pre-recorded tape, the noise reduction last selected would remain active, until altered manually (see more below).
Beocord 7000 was equipped with HX Pro, like all other ‘stackable’ Bang & Olufsen audio tape recorders. HX Pro is an acronym for Headroom Extension Professional and tapes recorded with HX Pro give a better reproduction quality on playback, no matter which tape deck they are played on. Both the dynamics and the the signal capability in the treble range is improved. The improvements are most noticeable in the reproduction of treble signals, but also the midrange will be influenced in a positive way. At 10KHz the signal loading capability is improved by approximately 8dB for chrome tape, 5dB for ferro tape and 3dB for metal tape formulas.
Beocord 7000 could ideally be used as part of Beosystem 7000.
A light touch to the front of the Beocord 6500 cassette recorder released the loader which glided out slowly and silently in order to allow you to insert a cassette. You could use whichever type of cassette you prefer; or choose between Dolby B or C Noise Reduction systems… and rejoice in Bang & Olufsen’s patented HX-PRO recording system which ensured optimal sound reproduction, particularly in the difficult, high-frequency range. And, naturally, Beocord 6500 had auto-reverse so that both sides of the tape played as one.
Beocord 6500 could be used as part of the Beosystem 6500 hi-fi system.
One of the less-pleasant chores in making a recording is setting level control to its optimum position. Setting it too low raises the level of background noise on the recording. Setting it too high makes the recording distorted at high music levels. With this in mind, Bang and Olufsen introduced an automatic record mode which was called ‘Auto Record’.
Auto Record worked in two steps: when the record button was pressed for the first time, the cassette recorder went into a record pause mode, where the incoming signal was monitored. Under microprocessor control, the highest level was monitored and the record level was set at the optimum level for that music. On pressing the record button the second time, the tape was set in motion and the recording started, but continuing to make minor adjustments. If at any time during the recording, the level of music rose above the monitored level, the level control was lowered by exactly the amount required for the new optimum recording level.
This method of setting the level control closely imitated the action of a highly skilled recording engineer, if asked to set the level for a recording. It was the best that could be done when the full recording could not be monitored before recording started.
This feature incorporated a new method of monitoring the signal, which proved to be a more effective method over conventional methods. It was patented by the company with the patent number 158702.
As part of Beosystem 5500, this advanced tape recorder was as close to professional standard as could be made at the time, bristling with features you just loved to use!
There was Auto Reverse, letting you play or record both sides of a cassette as one continuous tape. And automatic adjustment of sound levels avoided annoying volume changes from one recording to the next. Then there was Bang & Olufsen’s famous HX-Pro recording system which gave vastly superior sound quality on the higher frequencies, creating a richer, more detailed sound image.
Beocord 5500 automatically adjusted itself to match standard, chrome or metal tapes. You had the option of Dolby B or C during recording. During playback, the recorder automatically switched itself to the noise reduction system you recorded with. Automatic track search was also included – just key in the track number and the recorder did the rest.
The cassette recorder could be controlled via the two-way Master Control Panel 5500 as part of the Beosystem 5500.
One of the less-pleasant chores in making a recording is setting level control to its optimum position. Setting it too low raises the level of background noise on the recording. Setting it too high makes the recording distorted at high music levels. With this in mind, Bang and Olufsen introduced an automatic record mode which was called ‘Auto Record’.
Auto Record worked in two steps: when the record button was pressed for the first time, the cassette recorder went into a record pause mode, where the incoming signal was monitored. Under microprocessor control, the highest level was monitored and the record level was set at the optimum level for that music. On pressing the record button the second time, the tape was set in motion and the recording started, but continuing to make minor adjustments. If at any time during the recording, the level of music rose above the monitored level, the level control was lowered by exactly the amount required for the new optimum recording level.
This method of setting the level control closely imitated the action of a highly skilled recording engineer, if asked to set the level for a recording. It was the best that could be done when the full recording could not be monitored before recording started.
This feature incorporated a new method of monitoring the signal, which proved to be a more effective method over conventional methods. It was patented by the company with the patent number 158702.
” This title and the picture of Beosystem 1700 might suggest a paradox to many readers. And in a way you are right. But there is a reason why Bang & Olufsen has separated this otherwise perfectly integrated high-fidelity system. The combination possibilities in Beosystem 1700 are so numerous that for many people the entire system is unnecessary. The essential part of the system is BeoLab 1700: a 2 x 20 watts RMS amplifier with ambiophonic stereo facilities.
BeoLab 1700 type 2605 was an amplifier designed to be used with Beomaster 1700 tuner.
The tuner, Beomaster 1700, the cassette-recorder, Beocord 1700 and the record player, Beogram 2000 (not shown) cover nearly all existing programme sources for the reproduction of music. Beovox 2702 loudspeakers complete the system. Beovox 1702 are recommended as side speakers for ambiophony, if this extra sound experience is desired. Now it is up to you to put your ideal Beosystem 1700 together. ”
The unit was a high-fidelity stereo amplifier whose technical specifications exceeded the DIN 45500 high fidelity norms by a wide margin. Frequency range was 20-30.000 Hz and power bandwidth was 10-50.000 Hz. Harmonic distortion was less than 0.1% at the normally used output (50 mW) and less than 0,5% at maximum power output (2 x 20 watts RMS). Music output was 80 watts total. With four loudspeakers – two front and two at the sides, ambiophony (an extension of stereo reproduction) could be achieved.
Apart from loudspeaker connections, there were sockets for tuner, tape recorder, record player and headphones. BeoLab 1700 had slider controls for volume, bass, treble and balance. A push button for LOUDNESS facilitated switching between an objective and a subjective linear reproduction. Monitoring (AB switching) could be carried out on BeoLab 1700 if the connected tape recorder had separate record and play-back heads.
This advanced CD player was straight from tomorrow’s world – but it would still marry up happily with any Bang & Olufsen system created over the previous decade. It was as simple to use as a tape recorder. The track search system was invaluable for finding your way quickly around the disc. A display indicated the number of the track you’re on.
Recording was just as straight forward. And you could time recordings to the second – just press the sensi-touch panel and you could find out how much time was left on a particular track or on the whole disc.
This replacement for the former Beogram CDX used at that time, new 16-bit technology and an all-new optical system. The player itself though, was derived from the Philips CD150 machine; the same as that in the Beocenter 9000. After one year the machine was discontinued and replaced by the Beogram CD 3300 – a similar sensi-touch CD player – as part of Beosystem 3300.
