By Gregg O’Donnell
The New Brunswick Filmmakers' Co-op provides members with access to film equipment rentals. I recently had the rare pleasure of servicing an antique Nagra IV-S reel-to-reel field recorder.
In the digital age, it's easy to assume old equipment is obsolete. But that hasn't always been the case. Devices like the Nagra were built to last—designed for disassembly, repair, and continued use. In an era of disposable tech, I hope to keep this lost art of equipment maintenance alive.
The Nagra IV-S is the only stereo-capable Nagra model available at the Co-op. I recently repaired a faulty switch that had prevented full stereo operation. I also built two stereo input/output cables to make the unit compatible with modern line-level signals and acquired tape and head demagnetizing tools for its upkeep.
For filmmakers interested in working on tape, here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros:
Built-in De-Essing
Clicks, snaps, crackles, pops, and anything in the high-frequency range are types of sounds that you can't perfectly capture on tape. This is because moving tape has difficulty physically capturing fast 'jumps' in audio. If there is a voiceover that is 'whispery', using tape may smooth out the harshness and 'clickiness' of that sound.
Great at ADR
The Nagra has fantastic-sounding mic preamps with character, even without using tape. This makes it ideal for ADR, where microphones are closer to the source and tape noise is less of an issue.
'Nice' Distortion
The device adds distortion to whatever it records in a manner that many listeners may enjoy.
Cons:
Wear and Tear
The Nagra IV-s uses real rubber on the cover; some of which has decomposed into a putty. Much of the cosmetic wear and tear is permanent, and replacement parts are effectively non-existent.
Technical debt
If you are on a film shoot that spans multiple days time must be included to clean and service the device.
Poor Dynamic Range
Unlike digital systems, tape has a high noise floor. This becomes a problem when the difference between 'loud' versus 'quiet' is large (For example, if an actor goes from whispering to screaming, or if the microphone is far away). With a high noise floor, boosting quiet sections also boosts noise.
Cost
Tape is expensive and not endlessly reusable. Also, while some reels advertise long playtimes, real-world use (especially at higher speeds) can cut those times in half.
Synchronization
To use a tape recorder on set, you’ll need a parallel digital recording for backup and syncing purposes.
Heavy
The Nagra IV-S is heavy, and field use requires 12 D-cell batteries. Operating it in the field, especially with a boom pole and 5 pounds of batteries, demands upper body strength.
