Definition of Sel-Sync
Sel-Sync or Selective Synchronous recording is the process of selectively using audio tape record heads as playback heads so that new signals can be recorded on other tracks in perfect sync with the existing tracks. Sel-sync recording dramatically changed the recording process, allowing overdubbing of individual recorded tracks.
Sel-sync, along with the multitrack head, was invented by Ross S. Snyder at Ampex in 1955. Three problems had to be solved: mechanical alignment, switching of the record track to playback mode and multitrack erase head. The hard problem was the switching of a track between record and playback mode, as the impedance of record heads is quite different from the impedance of playback heads. Prior to Sel-Sync, record heads were directly wired to the record electronics and playback heads were directly wired to the playback electronics. Also, the designs of the two heads were very different. The problem of switching very low-level and high-impedance circuitry without introducing hum or noise had to be solved. Mort Fujii in the Ampex special projects lab was responsible for the actual design.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Sel-Sync?
Sel-Sync or Selective Synchronous recording is the process of selectively using audio tape record heads as playback heads so that new signals can be recorded on other tracks in perfect sync with the existing tracks.