Telefunken M15 A

Description

The Telefunken M15 A was popular in German recording studios and radio stations but for unknown reasons did not prove very successful outside Germany. The earlier M15 Was replaced with the M15 A a number of years after its introduction and the 2 machines differ mainly in the solid-state electronics which were improved on the A version.
Capable of handling signal levels to + 24dBm, this machine would work great with modern tape formulations.
A very minimalist German design that did not have meters with the assumption that you could adjust your levels on the mixing console. No separate Fast Forward and Rewind buttons, but one button for both. There is a lever next to the button to control the winding direction and speed.

The cast aluminum chassis is military grade as could be expected on a studio machine. The servo control capstan motor is belt driven to a really large capstan for greatest speed stability.

Vacodur PB head with V-shaped cores for best crosstalk rejection. High-density ferrite Recording head

Studer made better aftemarket heads for the Telefunken M15A, with specs to match the Telefunken electronics.

From the english brochure

Capstan drive
Capstan speed stabilized with reference to a quartz oscillator, remains unaffected by mains frequency variations
Brushless dc motor for minimum wear and disturbance
Heat minimized with special regard to the capstan
Loading a tape will start the capstan motor, at tape end the capstan stops. No pressure roller action until capstan is up to nominal speed
Remote control provided for capstan start/stop
Mains orexternally synchronized operation by pilot tone or time code, with auxiliary units
Continuously variable speed control, acting through ± 50% of nominal speed, with auxiliary unit

Tape path
High precision tape guidanceto minimize phase fluctuation in stereo mode
Constant tapetension assured by tension controls right and left. No tension peaks, no tape strain .
Tight, self-supporting tape packs (pancakes)
Hubs and spools of all standards accommodated by exchangeable mounts
Easy-to-handle lock mount for European hubs

Function controls
Illuminated push-buttons smoothly acting on solid-state switches
Push-buttons guarded against inadvertent actuation
Fully electronic control of all functions
CMOS logic for high-grade noise immunity
Reel motorcircuits switched by means of triacs
Fail-safe operation of controls
Continuously variable spooling speed in both directions, with especially sensitive control at low searching speeds

Instant stop at tape run-out
Tape speed indicated by lamps, remotable
Remote control connections provided an a special plug-in unit (option), adaptable for different remote control systems. Control modes selectable: parallel, remote only, local only.
Remote control unit for all functions as option
Automatic unit with tape sensor as option
The Autolocator (option) will automatically locate any desired tape position. The Autolocator searches the position accurately by the required read-out, without overshooting. Any selected tape portion can be repeated in shuttle mode. Without interfering with the continuous time measurement, the Autolocator is able to display separately the read-out of an individual take duration. The read-outs of up to 9 positions of interest may be stored in the Autolocator memory, retrievable simply by pressing one of the buttons 1 to 9 and the programmable keyboard. All transport remote controls are also incorporated in the Autolocator

Head assembly
Head assemblies are interchangeable without need of mechanical realignment
Optional Vacodur or high-density ferrite record and playback heads. Long life heads with a precision finish obviating realignment, azimuth adjustable
High-precision tape guides
Flutter idler mounted between record and playback
heads to eliminate longitudinal tape vibration

Amplifiers
Printed-circuit plug-in units fitted with ICs
Electronic switching of equalization for 15 and 7.5 ips, optional for 30 and 15 ips, automatically controlled from speed selected at the tape deck
Ramp-shaped signal voltages, controlled from transport function, switch the erase, record and replay amplifiers on and off, suitably timed. This feature enables click free and gapless overdubbing
Electronic mono-stereo switching (optional) by means of a switch in the head assembly
Record and playback equalizations adjustablefor NAB or CCIR equalization
Switchable equalization (optional) permitting to select, as required, NAB or CCIR equalization