Introduced in 1980, the Tandberg TCD 3004 was a three-head professional cassette deck developed as part of Tandberg’s Series 3000 range of separate audio components. Designed to meet professional recording requirements while remaining suitable for a domestic high-fidelity system, it combined a four-motor dual-capstan transport, microprocessor control, manual tape calibration, Tandberg’s DYNEQ and Actilinear recording technologies, Dolby B noise reduction and direct monitoring from the tape.
The Tandberg TCD 3004 was designed to be adjusted for the principal cassette formulations available at the time without requiring external meters or access to internal controls. Its front-panel calibration facilities allowed the recording system to be matched to Type I, Type II and Type IV metal tapes, enabling differences between individual cassette formulations to be compensated before recording.
A three-head configuration provided separate erase, recording and playback heads. This allowed the recorded signal to be reproduced directly from the tape while recording was in progress. The Source and Tape monitor selection provided an immediate comparison between the incoming programme and the recorded result, allowing recording level, bias and other calibration settings to be checked directly.
The calibration section included controls for record level, bias and record-head azimuth. A calibration display allowed the operator to observe the result of these adjustments, while the built-in test system removed the need for external measuring equipment during normal tape set-up. The Tandberg TCD 3004 could therefore be optimised for different tapes from the front panel.
Tandberg’s Actilinear recording system was designed around active components in the recording chain and reduced interaction between the recording signal and the bias oscillator. The system used a 15dB overload reserve intended to accommodate high-level programme peaks, particularly when recording highly dynamic material. Tandberg also selected components in the upper-frequency recording circuits to maintain the required operating characteristics.
The Tandberg TCD 3004 also incorporated Tandberg’s DYNEQ system. DYNEQ reduced high-frequency recording level when the cassette approached its saturation limit, extending the usable recording headroom of the tape. This was particularly relevant to programme material containing substantial high-frequency energy, where conventional cassette recording systems could otherwise produce increased distortion.
Phase-correction circuitry formed part of the deck’s advanced recording electronics. Together with DYNEQ equalisation and the Actilinear recording system, this circuitry was intended to support accurate transfer of the incoming signal to the cassette across the deck’s specified operating range.
The transport used four motors and a dual-capstan tape path. Separate motors were employed within the electronically governed mechanism, while microprocessor control managed the transport functions. The arrangement was designed to provide stable tape movement across the heads during recording and playback.
The electronically controlled transport included Record, Rewind, Stop, Wind and Play functions, together with Record Preset. The deck also provided a Memory function and a digital tape counter. Function indicators displayed the selected operating state.
Variable winding speed allowed the operator to control the speed of fast tape movement. A cueing system could operate with an automatic reduction in tape speed, making it easier to locate recorded passages while the cassette was being wound.
The Tandberg TCD 3004 included two illuminated analogue meters for monitoring the left and right recording channels. Separate digital displays indicated the selected tape type and tape-counter position, while the calibration display provided a visual reference for tape alignment. The combination of analogue and digital indication gave the operator access to recording level, tape position, tape selection and calibration information across the front panel.
Separate left and right microphone inputs were fitted, together with individual microphone-level controls. A line input was also provided for connection to external audio equipment. Monitoring facilities included a headphone output with an associated level control.
Dolby B noise reduction was included for compatible recording and playback. The front-panel Dolby control allowed the noise-reduction system to be selected as required. The deck achieved a specified signal-to-tape noise ratio of 70dB when measured with metal tape using IEC A-weighting.
Remote control was available through optional wired and wireless systems. Tandberg offered a cable-connected remote control for studio use, while a wireless infrared remote could be used over greater distances. The infrared controller included transport functions and could be programmed for recording and repeat operation.
The Tandberg TCD 3004 could also be installed in a professional 483mm rack using an optional mounting kit. This allowed the cassette deck to be incorporated into studio or other equipment installations while retaining access to its front-panel transport, calibration and monitoring controls.
As a Series 3000 component, the Tandberg TCD 3004 shared its styling and dimensions with Tandberg’s matching tuner, preamplifier and power amplifier. Its silver front panel, grouped control sections and illuminated displays followed the visual design of the wider Series 3000 system.
Features
- Three-head cassette recording and playback system
- Separate erase, recording and playback heads
- Direct off-tape monitoring during recording
- Microprocessor-controlled transport
- Four-motor dual-capstan tape-drive mechanism
- Compatibility with Type I, Type II and Type IV metal tapes
- Front-panel tape calibration without external meters
- Adjustable recording level, bias and recording-head azimuth
- Calibration display
- Tandberg DYNEQ recording equalisation
- Actilinear recording system
- Phase-correction circuitry
- Dolby B noise reduction
- Variable winding speed
- Cueing with automatic tape-speed reduction
- Digital tape counter
- Memory function
- Dual illuminated analogue recording-level meters
- Independent left and right microphone-level controls
- Headphone output with level control
- Function indicators
- Optional wired remote control
- Optional wireless infrared remote control
- Optional 483mm rack-mounting kit