I learned how to make a mixtape today 

"Bandit" (2bandit) 01/03/2015 at 17:46 • Filed to: Audiolopnik

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My brother argued with me about removing the original mint condition stereo system from his Mustang. He argued he should remove the original and put in an aftermarket head so he can plug in his iPod because he says no good music is on cassette. I had to prove him wrong so I pulled out my old tape deck and set out to learn how to make a mix tape. My dad gave me his 80s Denon DR-M24HX tape deck a few years ago and I havent touched it until today. So I hooked it up to my late 70s Pioneer SX-650 receiver and played around with it for an hour till I understood how it worked. I'm now loading up a brand new (circa 1990s) tape that I found in my grandparents basement with a bunch of modern alternative. I've got to be one of the only people who has Arctic Monkeys on cassette.

ttyymmnn > Bandit 01/03/2015 at 17:48

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I am seriously lusting after that receiver. I had a friend who owned one of those back in about '78, Absolutely beautiful.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Bandit 01/03/2015 at 17:53

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I'd still have him replace the stereo. A new unit with iPod/phone input will have better sound and won't try and eat the tape. Cassettes suck.

Bandit > ttyymmnn 01/03/2015 at 17:56

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It's such a great receiver there's no way to describe it. The tuner wheel is so fun to play with as it is all cable controlled and silky smooth, the sound is crystal clear, and you can't deny it looks awesome. The only issues I have with mine are a lightbulb is burnt out and needs replaced, the "balance" pot is dirty and needs cleaned, and the wood case is showing a lot of wear since it has been abused since 1978.

PatBateman > Bandit 01/03/2015 at 17:57

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Back in my day...

Bandit > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 01/03/2015 at 17:57

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Yeah... but I like the factory look of his original unit and the aftermarket ones all look tacky (like the one in my T/A).

Steve in Manhattan > Bandit 01/03/2015 at 17:58

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I love old equipment like that.

When I got my '97 SHO, I had grand plans to upgrade the stereo, put in a subwoofer, and more. Then, as I drove it some more, I changed my mind. Aretha, George Thorogood, Bach - they all sounded really good. And I looked at the oval insert in the dash where the stereo was (difficult to install something new) and thought: how good does sound in a car have to be? After that, I was perfectly happy with it.

bhardoin > Bandit 01/03/2015 at 17:58

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That's super cool.

Bandit > Steve in Manhattan 01/03/2015 at 18:00

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All of my equipment is from the mid to late 70s except the tape deck. I love the looks and simplicity of the vintage equipment. And how many 18 year olds can say they own a reel-to-reel, 8-track player, tape deck, and turntable?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Bandit 01/03/2015 at 18:00

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You could have gotten a vintage audio unit.

https://www.vintagecarradio.com

But trust me, those factory Ford units aren't anything to write home about.

Bandit > PatBateman 01/03/2015 at 18:01

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My first music player:

Bandit > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 01/03/2015 at 18:04

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Bandit = poor :p and the previous owner hacked up the original mounting area and the original stereo is long gone. But... I have an OE 8-track player to install!

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Bandit 01/03/2015 at 18:05

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What year is his Sn-95? I have the ford Dolby head unit and it works really well. I use one of these:

All I had to do to it is remove one gear (I used this guide to learn how) and it doesnt interfere with the automatic search function anymore. It cost like 5 bucks, my dash still looks great, and I get to use the amazing ford head unit. Seriously its amazing. The factory sound system shakes the truck.

I found out after I made that video that it is indeed stock

Bandit > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 01/03/2015 at 18:06

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'98 and it is the top spec stereo so I want him to keep it because it's likely better than anything he can afford at walmart.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Bandit 01/03/2015 at 18:08

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He likely has the same head unit I do. Hes on oppo right? Have him talk to me, Ill steer him right

PatBateman > Bandit 01/03/2015 at 18:15

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LMAO I didn't get one of those until after I was married, with a baby, in our first house for a year, and pushing 30.

Damn I'm old.

Xyl0c41n3 > Bandit 01/03/2015 at 18:37

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Nah bro, real mixtapes are made by listening to the radio and asking the DJ to play your songs during the request hours, then begging him not to talk during the intros or outtros of those songs so you can get a clean grab. ^_^

But seriously... I like your setup. I still have an old (not as old as your stuff) cheap stereo that can do tape to tape recording or cd to tape recording. Just the other day I was thinking about repurposing the speakers on it for modern use since the stereo doesn't have an aux jack, much less something snazzy like Bluetooth. I hardly ever used it, so those speakers are pristine.

Anyhoo, what are your playlists other than Arctic Monkeys?

Bluecold > Bandit 01/03/2015 at 18:41

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aww yiss pioneer sx receivers. They look good and feel good. Even the cheapest were put together so nicely with separate boards for separate functions. Don't let the specs fool you, that 650 is a powerhouse. Milled aluminium front, quality veneer, you'd pay a fortune for an amp made anywhere near as nicely today.

I stl lust after an SX 1980.

Bandit > Bluecold 01/03/2015 at 18:47

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I just wish the wood case was in better shape! It is peeling on one side. I plan on opening up the case, cleaning out the decades of dust, replacing the bulb that's out, cleaning the scratchy pot, and using the thing for a few more decades!

Bandit > Xyl0c41n3 01/03/2015 at 18:50

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This is the playlist I listen to most: Dorm Music

Steve in Manhattan > Bandit 01/03/2015 at 18:52

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Probably just the one - and yeah, I always thought the reel-to-reel analog sound was often the best.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Bandit 01/03/2015 at 19:40

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You can also make a Bluetooth cassette,I also have plans to make mixtapes, 'cause lolz.

Sn210 > Bandit 01/03/2015 at 21:22

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I got Appetite for Distruction on cassette for Christmas for my mr2. I haven't been able to get to the garage it's in, so I started listening to it in the tl. It actually sounded pretty good! I'm going to get some more 80's stuff for the mr2 and start a little collection

RockThrillz89 > Bandit 01/07/2015 at 17:35

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Is that a reel to reel under that receiver? I've heard my dad reminisce about the rich kids in town that had them when he was growing up.

Bandit > RockThrillz89 01/07/2015 at 18:35

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It is! Got it from my grandfather who bought it back in the 70s

RockThrillz89 > Bandit 01/07/2015 at 19:12

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That's so cool. Is the sound quality any better than other formats, or does it just bring it's own flavor of tonal qualities to the mix? Also, where do you get media to play on it? Or do you only have what was handed down to you from your grandfather?

I must say you are very luck to have family that has held on to all that awesome stuff.

Bandit > RockThrillz89 01/07/2015 at 19:19

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Truthfully, I feel it sounds exactly the same as my ipod! For being 40 years old, everything is surprisingly clear, it sounds better than my cassettes for sure. It's very cool because you get to control the speed of the tape so you can make small precise adjustments to the pitch to correct anything weird. I only have what my grandfather gave me (a bunch of reels with classic rock on them, a bit of polka, and one blank one), and what my dad found in his boxes from college (80s dance music from when he worked at a radio station).

RockThrillz89 > Bandit 01/07/2015 at 19:40

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Welp, another thing added to my bucket list of cool things from before I was born that I want to own. This will go just below an old film projector (complete with some movies, so probably 8mm).

Bandit > RockThrillz89 01/07/2015 at 19:45

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Yeah, I'm only 18 but love random outdated tech.

RockThrillz89 > Bandit 01/07/2015 at 20:26

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Nothing wrong with that, and don't let people tell you otherwise! I know on Gizmodo, a lot of people love to bash vinyl articles. I'm 25 and feel the same. It just has more personality than something that never existed outside of a computer like a lot of things today. Not that I don't loves me modern technology though.