Not really a real reel to reel?
Techmoan・27 minutes read
The Real Media Center is a retro-inspired device resembling a reel-to-reel tape recorder, featuring unique tapes and a wood construction. Despite being a novelty, the device impressively functions properly with operational VU meters, a recording level control, and fader.
Insights
- Retro-inspired devices, like the Real Media Center, encompass three main categories: those paying tribute to the past, those visually resembling vintage items, and modern devices with a nostalgic aesthetic.
- The Real Media Center, a unique piece resembling a reel-to-reel tape recorder, showcases distinctive features such as custom eighth-inch wide tapes, a cross-fader, and intricate controls, emphasizing its novelty and attention to detail in design and functionality.
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Recent questions
What are the different categories of retro-inspired devices?
Retro-inspired devices can be categorized as homage to the past, look-alikes, and modern devices with a vintage appearance.
What unique features does the Real Media Center have?
The Real Media Center, resembling a reel-to-reel tape recorder, features an eighth-inch wide reel-to-reel tape format, a cross-fader, six hours of music capacity, custom reels specific to the device, CD player, built-in speakers, and lacks a radio.
Who is the brand behind the Real Media Center device?
The Real Media Center device is licensed by Poly Concept under the brand RCA, known for producing various licensed electronics.
How does the Real Media Center device operate for recording?
To record from a CD on the Real Media Center device, insert a tape, press record, set the source selection to mix mode, hold down the record button for a few seconds, and manually flip the tape for up to six hours of recording.
What is the manufacturing information of the Real Media Center device?
The Real Media Center device, from the early 2000s, features 5 ohm 8 watt speakers from SDY, was manufactured in the 42nd week of 2002, and functions as a proper reel-to-reel machine with operational VU meters, recording level control, fader, and auxiliary inputs.
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Summary
00:00
Retro-inspired Bluetooth speaker resembles vintage jukebox.
- The Bluetooth speaker resembles a wall box from a Seburb jukebox, used for selecting and playing tracks.
- Retro-inspired devices fall into three categories: homage to the past, look-alikes, and modern devices with a vintage appearance.
- The Real Media Center, resembling a reel-to-reel tape recorder, was released in 2004 by Poly Concept.
- The Real Media Center features a unique eighth-inch wide reel-to-reel tape format, incompatible with standard tapes.
- The device includes features like a cross-fader, six hours of music capacity, and custom reels specific to the device.
- The Real Media Center, made of wood, includes CD player, built-in speakers, and lacks a radio.
- The device's brand, RCA, is licensed by Poly Concept, known for producing various licensed electronics.
- The Real Media Center's unique tapes were exclusively available through Poly Concept, making finding replacements challenging.
- The device, acquired from an estate sale via eBay, has never been used, with its protective tape still intact.
- Testing the device reveals its functionality with CDs, though the reel-to-reel tape system requires unique threading and features momentary switches for control.
13:11
Vintage CD-to-Tape Recorder with Gear Stick
- The device resembles a gear stick but operates differently, clicking a switch when moved into a position and returning to the center.
- To record from a CD, insert a tape, press record, and look for the recording indicator on the LCD.
- Initially unsuccessful in recording, the source selection must be set to mix mode for CD recording.
- Recording involves holding down the record button for a few seconds, not accidentally starting the tape playing.
- The tape records on both sides, requiring manual flipping for up to six hours of recording.
- The mechanism is a stretched-out stereo cassette deck, capable of playing normal cassette tapes.
- The device, from the early 2000s, features 5 ohm 8 watt speakers from SDY and was manufactured in the 42nd week of 2002.
- The device functions as a proper reel-to-reel machine, with operational VU meters, recording level control, fader, and auxiliary inputs.
- Despite being a novelty, the device impressively functions properly, with effort evident in its design and functionality.
