Added: Jul 6, 2008
From: clydesight
Duration: 8:33
Sponsored by: Abundance Genie DSPP Subliminal Message Program. For more information on Abundance Genie, please visit the Web page at: http://www.clydesight.com/DSPP/AG.html ********* In the late 1970's/early 80's, Panasonic introduced an innovative and charming cassette recorder, probably marketed for the "young crowd". The RQ-44A tape recorder came in colors, one of the most popular being in Red. I call it the Panasonic Retro Red. I have also seen these machines in a white case on E-Bay. The design was innovative, looking to me like a space module or shuttle craft (hence the name of this video: "The Tape Recorder From Outer Space".) The machine is pure fun, with simple controls and ease of operation. It is driven almost entirely by large gears, yet has remarkably stable operation with very low wow and flutter. Although it is a DC bias machine, it makes very good quality recordings. This video shows the working of the machine and the amazing internal layout that is build almost entirely of plastic! Yet it is stable and dependable. Panasonic quality! *********** I wanted one of the machines, but was frustrated because they appeared on auction on E-Bay, and being highly collectible, it was impossible for me to win any bids. Then one day, I used my Abundance Genie DSPP Subliminal Message program to wish for success at finding and buying the Panasonic Retro Red. A few days later, I searched E-Bay under "Buy It Now" and found this unit, complete with original box and instruction manual, for only $10! It arrived in perfect operating and cosmetic condition. Not a scratch on it -- in fact, it may never have been used. In spite of being in storage for who knows how many years, the main drive belt and pinch roller (the only two rubber parts in the machine) were in perfect shape and condition. When I popped in a tape, the recorder jumped to life and sang like a bird! Now THAT's a bargain! **********
Channel: Howto
Tags: cassette clydesight messages outer panasonic recorder retro space subliminal tape
Rating: 4.88 (8 ratings) Views: 296' favoriteCount='3 Comments: 10
CassetteMaster Says:
Jul 7, 2008 - That's a nice recorder! Even though DC bias, it still records with clear sound and not "S"y. The thing at the beginning cracked me up and the music sounds hilarious!
wilkes85 Says:
Jul 7, 2008 - Cool tape recorder, and I REALLY LIKE THAT MUSIC!
clydesight Says:
Jul 7, 2008 - Thanks! So, could you see the strings? Remind you of any puppet shows from the 60's? I love the look of the machine, it is SO retro. I am ashamed that when it came out, I considered it was not "genuine" and didn't buy one. Well, E-Bay to the rescue!
clydesight Says:
Jul 7, 2008 - If you look up "Perry-Kingsley" on the Internet you'll find that they were VERY influential in the electronic music biz. The album is still available as a compilation with their other work. In the 1960's, they were pre-Carlos and though they didn't make much money, they did have tremendous influence. Their whole album is a hoot, and some of the musical jokes are a bit esoteric. Everything they did was with tape loops! Good for them!
clydesight Says:
Jul 7, 2008 - Thanks. What colors did you find them in? I've seen them in white and red, but I seem to remember there was a pale blue one available too.
kjigmond Says:
Jul 8, 2008 - I've seen white ones but have only owned red.
m134mr Says:
Jul 10, 2008 - very nice cassette recorder. and it does make a nice strong recording. Also, the music in the background, very advanced for its time, the way they produced those electronic sounds. fantastic
clydesight Says:
Jul 10, 2008 - Thanks! When this music came out, the album got a lot of attention, it was something most people had never heard before. When I heard the album it got me interested in electronic music, and then Carlos came out with "Switched On Bach", and later Tomita released: "Snowflakes are Dancing", I have been interested in electronic and synthesizer music ever since! I read all about synths and electronic music and I even produced two albums of my own. You never know where things will lead!
thecrystalcauldron Says:
Jul 15, 2008 - Lovely tape recorder and I just loved the colour. The music was great. A brilliant video
clydesight Says:
Jul 15, 2008 - Thanks. The "red" was the most popular color for this machine, I think. I've had that music album for years, a little treasure!
Lachlant1984 Says:
Jul 29, 2008 - I used Panasonic tape recorders at school. Panasonic had other tape recorders that had the record button in the centre of the play button, but the ones my school had were a more conventional design, with a slide out handel, and an internal power transformer as opposed to an external AC Adaptor. I sure the units my school had also had a pause button.
oviwolf Says:
Aug 10, 2008 - Awesome tape recorder!red and cute!it is also great to see the internals of it!Excellent video and music!
clydesight Says:
Aug 11, 2008 - Thanks, it is a fun little machine.
clydesight Says:
Aug 11, 2008 - Panasonic has so many models! They are a busy company. Many of the shoebox style machines had additional features to this one. I think they made this one just for fun. Even new, it was not priced very high.
wisteela Says:
Aug 20, 2008 - A great old cassette recorder. I wonder if they sold them here in the UK?
clydesight Says:
Aug 21, 2008 - Panasonic was/is the name for Matsushita products in the US. I believe elsewhere they use the name "National". So it might have been sold in the UK under that name. The company is so big and popular that I imagine they have a world wide market. The trick is figuring out what name they use, where! In the US, we don't see too many machines that are popular in the UK, so it might be the same in the UK with machines that are popular in the US.
wisteela Says:
Aug 28, 2008 - Over here with have 'Panasonic', and earlier stuff was 'National Panasonic'.
kjigmond Says:
Jul 6, 2008 - Cool deck. I've owned 2 or 3 of them through the years.