Technical Details
Brand: Sony
Model:EM-1 'Newscaster'
Category:Vintage
Application:Portable
Electronics:Tube
Equalization:NAB
Country of Manufacture:Japan
Release dates:1973 - 1973
Tracks:1/2 Rec/PB
Speeds: 3 3/4
Max Reel Size("): 5"
Number of heads: 2
Dimension: 13 × 6¾ × 4½ " - 330 × 172 × 114 mm
Head Composition: Permalloy
Head Configuration: Mono - Full Track
# Motors: 1
Auto Reverse?:No
Voltage(s): Battery
Outputs: XLR
Frequency Response:70 Hz to 8 kHz
Wow and Flutter:less than 0.5%
Signal-to-Noise Ratio:better than 52dB
Sound quality rating:5 / 10
Long-term reliability rating: 5/ 10
Weight: 13.75 Lbs.
Additional Details
Description
The EM-1 Newscaster was an early portable recorder using a spring-powered motor.
It was designed for rugged and dependable operation in remote locations where power wasn’t available. The governor-controlled spring motor mechanism assured constant speed and precise accuracy impossible to maintain with battery operated motors of the era.
Five minutes of operation was all it gave on a single winding, but the motor could be rewound during operation without affecting tape speed or timing accuracy.
Additional Info
Timing accuracy: ±0.5% / Recording frequency response: 70 – 8,000 Hz / Equalisation: standard NARTB / Transistor complement: 1 × 2SD74, 3 × 2SD65, 2 × SB51 / Rewind speed: 15 seconds for full 5″ tape (hand-cranked) / Distortion: 1% at normal recording level / Input level: -70dB / Input impedance: 600 ohm balanced / Bias frequency: 30 Khz (at 50 volts) / Erase effect: better than 70dB for maximum saturated signal / Battery complement: 6 × 1.5V pen light (9 volts total) / Dimensions: 13 × 6¾ × 4½ inches (330 × 172 × 114 mm) / Weight: 13¾ lbs lbs (6.25 kg) / half-track mono