Comments on: Stephens Electronics, maker of the 40-track analog multitrack machine (1973)

By: Andy Geisel

Andy Geisel — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 19:20:22 +0000

Upon the passing of Roy Thomas Baker, I heard from Fred Mandel, who worked with him on the sessions for Alice Cooper’s Flush the Fashion, and said they used the Stephens 40 track on that record.

By: Rod Stephens

Rod Stephens — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 02:04:21 +0000

In reply to Dan.

Dan,

This is weird, but I’m just about ship the original Stephens shop 811B manual from which circulated copies were made to go with the sold decks. It’s dated 12/20/83. It’s too late for me to scan it, but I can give you the name and email of the guy I’m sending it to. Ironically, I only saw your post today as I was looking through postings about John. The name of the guy is Jim Rogers, and he lives in Gilbert, AZ. His email is: jim8078@me.com Let me know if this is of help. Rod

By: Gatis

Gatis — Sat, 05 Feb 2022 23:09:18 +0000

Greetings all! In the late 80s and early 90s, there was a studio by South street in Philly that had a 40 track machine that I used to service. It was a fairly solid machine, but if I had any service questions, I would have to call John at a fairly unique location:)

By: Carl Dybowski

Carl Dybowski — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 01:42:12 +0000

In reply to Roderic Stephens.

Hello Roderic,
I am wanting to contact you regarding use of a photo for a music LP. Please respond to my email address if you see this. I can discuss it further at that point.

Thanks you sincerely,
Carl Dybowski

By: Lou

Lou — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 23:39:33 +0000

In reply to Jesse. Thanks Jesse, will email you now!

By: Lou

Lou — Sun, 25 Jul 2021 23:38:49 +0000

In reply to China West.

Wow, didn’t see these!
I’m not looking for either, just some tech help with my machine.
Mine was delivered as a 40 track frame with 32 track heads and electronics. I have 16 and 24 track heads as well.

By: Dale

Dale — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 18:02:28 +0000

I’ve been working on a brushless motor solution and switching to an off-the-shelf optical disk and encoder on the idler for the Stephens 821B, mostly since the brush rings are getting a bit hard to find. I am amazed at how well the servo design was done in the original two-motor system. The interesting thing is that a brushed motor and the neat trick he did to do a compound voltage/current control for tape tension doesn’t really work for a brushless motor so tape tension needs to be computed explicitly. While working on this, I realize how tricky yet simple the original design was.

By: Nyk Fry

Nyk Fry — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 08:32:04 +0000

Oh . . . and Chris Ledoux.

By: Nyk Fry

Nyk Fry — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 08:31:22 +0000

My first 24-track experience was on a Stevens at Audio Vision in Lindon, Utah. It was a solid machine, and we did everything from heavy metal to The Osmonds.

By: Douglas Brown

Douglas Brown — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 22:03:03 +0000

I have Paradise Records (via WB) first lp Leon & Marry Russell “Wedding Album” from 1976. Liner states “Recorded in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Encino, California on the fantastic Stephens 40 track machine.”