If there is one feature of the original 4000DS that I thought Akai would have changed it is the method by which you selected the tape speed. This method of speed change is by today's standards of electronic switching and logic control rather clumsy and shows up the fact that the GX-4000D is actually a fairly old design.
To conclude the change of tape speed, you have to select the appropriate EQ setting relative to the tape speed and this is done via a front panel switch labelled with the two alternative tape speeds. If the collar has to be removed it can be stored on a post situated under the head cover for safe keeping (see Figure 1). With the machine switched off you have to unscrew a knurled nut and remove a small metal collar from the capstan, without the collar the machine runs at 3¾ ips and with it in position the tape runs at 7½ ips. This is still achieved by a somewhat strange method for those who have never encountered the 4000DS before. The same improvement, however, is not true of the tape speed selection. One of the most welcome improvements over the old machine is the ability to remove the head cover which now makes the three heads totally accessible for cleaning and demagnetizing, a very difficult task indeed on the old 4000DS. An auto stop feature is included and this operates by threading the tape around the tape tension arm near to the capstan so that when the tape comes to an end the arm falls downwards and switches off the motor. The all important record function is selected by first depressing the record button and switching the master left hand lever into the record position, whereupon a small red LED mounted between the two VU meters is illuminated. The pause function is selected by pushing up a small lever in the direction of the arrow, and is cancelled by pressing the pause defeat button immediately below it. Split across two large mechanical levers, the play and record functions are selected by switching the left hand lever, and the fast rewind/forward functions controlled by the right hand lever. With a combination of these track formats and tape speeds owners of this machine have the best of both worlds - tape economy and recording quality packaged in a tape recorder which retails at a very competitive price.Īll the usual transport controls are included but are perhaps a little unconventionally laid out by today's designs. Being a ¼ track machine, it allows you to record up to four individual tracks of sound in one of two formats, either two stereo recordings, one in each tape direction or four mono recordings, two in each direction at either the higher operating speed of 7½ ips or at the low speed of 3¾ ips.
The GX-4000D is a dual speed ¼ track tape recorder using ¼ inch tape with a maximum spool size of 7 inches.
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