Technical Details
Brand: Clarion (GBC)
Model:Transitape 4
Category:Vintage
Application:Portable
Electronics:Tube
Equalization:IEC
Country of Manufacture:Germany
Release dates:1959 - 1962
Tracks:1/4 Rec/PB
Speeds: 3 3/4
Max Reel Size("): 3"
Number of heads: 2
Head Composition: Permalloy
Head Configuration: Mono - Full Track
# Motors:
Auto Reverse?:No
Voltage(s): 110-120v
Outputs: RCA
Frequency Response:200 - 6,000 cps
Sound quality rating:5 / 10
Long-term reliability rating: 5/ 10
Additional Details
Description
Described by John Borwick as “a miracle of compactness” in his ‘Field Trials of Portables’ article (Tape Recorder Magazine, Dec 1959), the Clarion Transitape was a single-speed (3¾ IPS) recorder with a 3″ spool capacity and an internal 5″ speaker. Four ordinary torch batteries provided enough power for around 50 hours.
Measuring just 9½ x 5 x 3¾ inches and weighing 5 lbs, it was truly portable and priced at only £26 5s (including tape and microphone). By today’s standards, this may appear a trifle laughable but bear in mind that just a few years earlier, such equipment weighed and cost four or more times as much.
Additional Info
Battery life: up to 50 hours on 4 x regular 1.5V torch batteries / Inputs: microphone and high level, 200 microvolt sensitivity at 200 ohms / Outputs: 1V at 1,000 ohms for external amplifier / Output power: 20 mW / Speaker: internal 5″ circular / Semicondictors: OC71, GFT21, OC76,GFT32 / Dimensions: 9½ x 5 x 3¾ inches (241 x 127 x 95mm) / Weight: 5 lbs (2.27 kg) / half-track mono