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Sound Tape Cartridge machines

RCA Victor

SCP-2 (August 1959)

The initially released machine, a stereo home recorder with pushbutton controls that included two ceramic microphone and sat in a wooden case. Second extension playback speaker sold separately as add-ons. To play back tapes through an external amplifier, cables would plug into the phono inputs on the machine usually used for recording from a record player, with the machine otherwise having only dedicated microphone inputs. Unit contained a TCT-2 tape transport and RS-176 amplifier. Service manual

CP-1 (Late 1959)

Mono recorder with pushbutton controls, similar to the stereo SCP-2. Built in mono amplifier and speaker.

photo source

SCP-3 (1960)

Deluxe stereo recorder similar to the SCP-2 but with auto-reverse. Potentially no units of this model actually reached retail shelves.

1YB1 (September 1961)

Monophonic portable recorder, the "Prompter." RCA's machines supported 3 and 3/4 as well as 1 and 7/8 inch per second recordings on all their machines from here on out.

1YB2 (September 1961)

Mono portable recorder, the "Trendliner." This series of machines was called the Flight Line group and the design of the machine was used on several future lines of cartridge tape machine.

1YC1 (September 1961)

Portable stereo recorder with a single built in speaker, requiring a seperate amplifier, radio, or TV set to play back in stereo. The "Fortnighter." The soft-touch controls seen on the early units was replaced with a more traditional dial-driven mechanism.

1B411 (1962)

Mono portable recorder very similar to the previous 1YB1 recorder. Tape Recording Magazine described its recording quality as "more than expected."

1YB11 (1963)

Updated machine very similar to the 1YB1. This model was sometimes part of a special offer in which a buyer could also get a Bell and Howell 220P 8mm movie camera.

photo source

1YC11 (1963)

Updated single-speaker stereo unit similar to the 1YC1.

3YD1 (1963)

RCA's first completely self contained stereo recorder, with a second detachable speaker in the lid. The "Cordon Bleu." One promotion offered a prerecorded mood music cartridge with purchase. This unit was also used in some sound-synchronized slide systems as it could be hooked up to trigger a slide projector (Popular Photography, September 1963).

Relay I (1965)

Mono two-speed recorder. The 1965 tape transport was the TCT-4A.

Relay II (1965)

Mono recorder with single built-in speaker

YGD 43E (1965)

Stereo recorder with detachable speakers with individual tweeters. The Relay III.

MGC 71W (1965)

Modular version of the TCT-4A transport for connecting to a separate stereo system.

Bell Sound

401 (1959)

Playback only stereo tape transport with knob-based controls that required a separate tape head preamplifier and amplifier. Part of the "Overture" series.

402 (1959)

Player with stereo preamplifier for plugging in directly to a standard amplifier. Part of the "Overture" series.

403 (1959)

Stereo recorder with built-in head amplifiers. Part of the "Overture" series.

404 (1959)

Standalone stereo player with built in amplifier and inputs for a phono and auxiliary input. Part of the "Maestro" series. The model 450 speaker system matched the 404 and 405 models, and cost around 50 dollars.

405 (1959)

Standalone stereo recorder with built-in 14 watt (7 per channel) amplifier. Similar inputs as the model 404 plus two microphone inputs. Part of the "Maestro" series.

406 (1959)

"Portable" stereo recorder, similar to the model 405 with a different case. The "Play-Mate." The model 460 speaker system matched the unit and was available for around 40 dollars.

Model 406 with clasping cover removed

601 (1961)

Monophonic play-only machine from Bell's second generation of players. The tape transport used in these machines included auto-stop in all modes of operation and could directly accept a (nonstandard) set of three-inch open reels if desired.

Artist's rendition of the 600 series Bell machines

602 (1961)

Stereo machine with only a mono amplifier and single internal speaker, needing a separate external mono amplifier and second speaker to play in stereo. It is possible this model never made it to market, as service literature only refers to the models 601 and 603.

603 (1961)

Stereo all-in-one portable stereo recorder, with built-in stereo amplifier and second speaker built into the lid and two microphones included for stereo recording. These 600 series machines could run at 3 and 3/4 inches per second and 1 and 7/8 inches per second like RCA's second generation machines.

A seven pound transport from these series of machines with automatic and remote control functions was released for industrial use, with interest from airlines and busing companies (Tape Recording, June, 1961).

Motorola

???

Portable black and blue recorder. Additional information unknown.

SH-18

Unknown second machine. Additional information unknown. Possibly, neither of these machines were ever released.

Sears/Silvertone

The machine in both these outfits may have its own model number different from these catalog numbers, but it is unknown at this time.

57 N 1236L (Christmas 1960)

Combination cartridge and open reel machine that handled RCA cartridges and up to seven inch open reels advertised for Christmas 1960. Could record at 3 and 3/4 or 7 and 1/2 inches per second (more information needed: can this machine record on cartridge at 7 and 1/2 inches per second, or only on reels?) and mono or stereo with second detachable speaker. Included a single microphone, second microphone available separately for stereo recordings.

W57 N 1237L (Spring 1961)

Same machine with the second microphone included.

Other manufacturers

Stereopac

Background music machine that could use RCA cartridges or a library of tapes from Cine Sonic Sound Corporation. A later version included a built-in public announcement and "paging" system (Cash Box, April 16, 1960). Cine Sonic would later produce Fidelipac-based background music systems.

Magneticon Magazine

Sound Tape machine built for use in school language labs by Magneticon, who also made open reel and record based language learning equipment for schools. Likely a recorder to allow for students to record their practice to the cartridge for the teacher to review later.

Automatic Radio STP-4499 (1965)

Stereo automotive player with 10 watt amplifier.