The Pioneer CT-F950 was introduced in 1979 as an advanced three-head stereo cassette deck incorporating Metal tape compatibility, microprocessor-controlled operating functions, fluorescent level metering and a two-motor transport. Developed during a period of rapid progress in cassette recording technology, the Pioneer CT-F950 combined comprehensive manual recording controls with electronic memory and repeat facilities, placing it among Pioneer’s more sophisticated cassette decks of the period.
The Pioneer CT-F950 used a three-head arrangement comprising separate recording and playback heads contained within a combination head assembly, together with an independent erase head. This configuration enabled direct monitoring of the signal immediately after it had been recorded onto the tape. The operator could switch between the incoming source and the off-tape signal while recording, making it possible to compare the two signals and evaluate the recording as it was being made.
The separate recording and playback sections also allowed each head and its associated circuitry to be configured for its individual purpose. Unlike a conventional two-head deck, in which a single head performs both recording and playback, the Pioneer CT-F950 could reproduce the newly recorded tape without waiting for the cassette to be rewound.
Tape movement was handled by two motors. A DC servo motor drove the capstan, while a separate DC high-torque motor controlled the reel functions. This division of transport duties allowed the capstan and reel systems to be controlled independently and supported the deck’s electronically managed transport, memory and repeat operations.
The Pioneer CT-F950 operated at the standard compact cassette speed of 4.75cm/s. Fast winding time for a C-60 cassette was approximately 85 seconds, while the transport’s specified wow and flutter was no more than 0.04% WRMS.
Transport operation was controlled through a series of rectangular push-buttons positioned beneath the cassette compartment. The deck provided record, playback, pause, stop, fast-forward and rewind functions, with electronic control allowing the mechanism to interact with the counter, memory system and automatic repeat facilities.
A major addition over earlier cassette decks was the Pioneer CT-F950’s compatibility with Metal tape. The deck could be configured for standard ferric, ferrichrome, chromium dioxide and Metal formulations, giving it access to the principal cassette types available during the period.
Metal tape required different recording bias and equalisation settings from earlier formulations. The Pioneer CT-F950 incorporated the appropriate switching and recording circuitry needed to use the higher coercivity Metal formulation, while retaining compatibility with existing cassette types.
A front-panel bias fine adjustment allowed the recording bias to be altered after the main tape type had been selected. Using the three-head monitoring system, the operator could compare the source and off-tape signals while adjusting the bias control, allowing the recording response to be refined for the particular cassette being used.
The Pioneer CT-F950 also included a dedicated tape selector section. Indicator lamps identified the selected tape setting, including Metal and chromium dioxide positions, while the associated circuitry changed the recording and playback characteristics for the chosen formulation.
Recording and playback levels were displayed through Pioneer’s fluorescent metering system. The blue illuminated display presented separate left and right channel readings across a segmented scale, allowing signal levels to be observed without the moving needles used in conventional analogue meters.
The meter could be switched between different operating characteristics. Peak mode responded quickly to short signal peaks, while Peak Hold retained the highest displayed level temporarily. Average mode provided a slower indication corresponding more closely to the general programme level.
These metering choices allowed the Pioneer CT-F950 to be adjusted for different recording material. Fast transient signals could be observed in Peak mode, while the Average setting provided a broader indication of the overall recording level.
A fluorescent three-digit tape counter was positioned beneath the level display. Unlike a mechanically driven counter, the electronic display formed part of the deck’s microprocessor-controlled operating system and was linked to its memory and repeat functions.
Memory Stop allowed the transport to stop automatically when the stored counter position was reached during rewind. Memory Play extended this operation by returning the tape to the memorised position and then automatically entering playback.
Counter Repeat used a stored counter location as the starting point of a repeating section. At the end of the tape, the deck could rewind to the memorised counter position and resume playback. End Repeat provided continuous playback by rewinding the cassette to its beginning and restarting after the end of the recorded side was reached.
The electronic counter could be reset from the front panel, while dedicated switches selected the required memory or repeat mode. The integration of these controls with the transport allowed the Pioneer CT-F950 to perform automated tape-location and continuous-playback operations without requiring the operator to control each stage manually.
Dolby B noise reduction was included for compatible recording and playback. Dolby B reduced the prominence of tape hiss by processing the higher-frequency portion of the signal during recording and applying corresponding processing during playback.
The specified signal-to-noise ratio was 69dB with Dolby B engaged. The Dolby system could be switched from the front panel, with an indicator showing when the circuit was active.
The Pioneer CT-F950 provided a specified frequency response of 20Hz to 17kHz with standard ferric tape, extending to 20Hz to 19kHz when Metal tape was used. Total harmonic distortion was specified at 1.2%, while the deck’s combination of tape selection, bias adjustment and three-head monitoring allowed the recording settings to be matched closely to the cassette formulation.
Recording level was controlled by a large input knob on the right side of the front panel. The linked control allowed the overall level to be altered while maintaining the established relationship between the left and right channels.
An input selector allowed the deck to be configured for line-level signals or its microphone connections. Two front-mounted microphone sockets were provided for direct left and right channel recording, with a specified microphone input sensitivity of 0.3mV.
The line input sensitivity was specified at 60mV. These inputs allowed the Pioneer CT-F950 to record from domestic audio components such as amplifiers and receivers, as well as directly connected microphones.
A separate output control adjusted the playback monitoring level. The specified line output was 0.45V, and a front-panel headphone socket allowed recording and playback to be monitored without an external loudspeaker system.
A source and tape monitor selector formed an important part of the recording section. In Source mode, the operator heard the incoming signal before it reached the tape. In Tape mode, the playback head reproduced the signal that had just been recorded, allowing immediate comparison and adjustment.
The Pioneer CT-F950 also incorporated timer-start facilities. When connected to a suitable external timer, the deck could be prepared for automatic recording or playback. A front-panel selector provided record, play and off positions for this purpose.
The cassette compartment was illuminated so that tape movement could be observed through the window. The transport also included automatic stopping at the end of the tape, preventing the mechanism from remaining engaged after the cassette had finished.
The Pioneer CT-F950’s brushed-aluminium front panel was divided into clearly defined functional areas. The cassette compartment and transport controls occupied the left side, while the fluorescent meter, electronic counter and memory controls were grouped in the centre. Tape selection, Dolby B, bias, monitoring, input, output and microphone controls occupied the lower and right-hand portions of the panel.
Internally, the Pioneer CT-F950 used 76 transistors, 84 diodes and 13 integrated circuits. These devices supported the audio amplifiers, metering, microprocessor functions, counter system, transport control, tape selection and Dolby B processing.
The Pioneer CT-F950 represented a development of Pioneer’s electronically controlled cassette deck designs, adding Metal tape compatibility to a comprehensive three-head recording platform. Its combination of electronic metering, microprocessor-controlled counter functions, four tape formulations, adjustable bias and direct off-tape monitoring provided extensive control over both recording and playback.
Features
- Three-head recording system with separate recording, playback and erase functions
- Combination recording and playback head assembly
- Direct off-tape monitoring during recording
- Two-motor transport
- DC servo capstan motor
- DC high-torque reel motor
- Microprocessor-controlled operating functions
- Fluorescent three-digit tape counter
- Memory Stop and Memory Play functions
- Counter Repeat and End Repeat functions
- Fluorescent left and right channel level display
- Peak, Peak Hold and Average metering modes
- Support for ferric, ferrichrome, chromium dioxide and Metal tapes
- Bias fine adjustment
- Dolby B noise reduction
- Source and tape monitoring
- Line and microphone input selection
- Front-panel left and right microphone inputs
- Adjustable input and output levels
- Front-panel headphone connection
- External timer recording and playback operation
- Illuminated cassette compartment
- Automatic end-of-tape stopping