Studer and Revox. Communication between tape recorder and computer via RS-232.
Studer tape recorders from the A8nn-series store their audio settings
digitally in memory. That memory has a small battery as a backup when
the power cord of the tape deck is disconnected. The battery will eventually
run out, with loss of the settings as a result. At the next startup the
Studer will restore the memory with default values, but these are
usually not the values you want. In such a case your tape deck will sound
completely different, not necessarily better.
Most Studers (Revox C27n-series too) are equipped with an RS-232 port. This port allows you to connect your tape recorder to a computer or laptop. Then you can read and save all audio settings in a computer file, which means you have a back-up and restore facility for the settings. It also allows you to control your tape recorder with your computer, or to easily change an particular setting without having to open the tape recorder.
What is needed? Obviously a tape recorder with an RS-232 port. Further, a computer and a customized serial cable. More...
If you got the hardware together you can start communicating. The best and easiest way to do that is by using a terminal program like PuTTY, which is a free terminal program and SSH-client available for most operating systems. PuTTY allows you to read the part of tape recorder memory that stores the audio settings. That way you will be able to make a list and a backup file. More on working with PuTTY here...
Working with PuTTY will be sufficient for most people. For personal use I wrote a script in Perl that is more suited to work with the tape recorder. Perl is a language that runs on all current operating systems. The script is a command line tool especially meant for 2-channel machines, but it will work with multichannel recorders too. If you don't mind installing the Perl interpreter and a few Perl modules you can give it a try. There is a disclaimer: The script has been tested with limited number of recorders. That worked well, but it obviously doesn't mean that it will work well with all models and software versions. Therefore use the script at your own risk. Caution is required, some pioneering spirit recommended. You are free to download it and adjust it to your needs. Comments on operation are welcome. More...