Tape Recorders of Mission Impossible Ep. 2
EDIT - Link added - (apologies for the double notification).
If you liked the first episode of this series looking at the tape recorders used in the 1960s/'70s TV Series then you might also enjoy this one.
Hope your January is going well. This is always a weird time of year for youtubers as advert revenue falls off a cliff at the start of each year. If you've been doing this for a while it's not a surprise - however the first time you see a January video bringing in a quarter of the revenue of one released in December you can't help but wonder what you've done wrong.
I suspect this seasonal slump applies to many businesses - I spent a night in a motel near my parents house last week. When I was there two weeks before Christmas it was packed full of business people - this time I was their only guest. A member of staff I spoke to said that companies like to re-evaluate their spending at the beginning of each year, so guest numbers traditionally reduce, but they'd never had it this quiet. The service in the restaurant was good though.
UPDATE - Re-edited the intro (new version above). Apparently I'd broken the 180º rule. So mirrored a couple of shots to fix this cinematic faux pas. Took the opportunity to do a few micro nip and tucks to this section too.
Comments (85)
Matt, that was exceptional - the level of detail you have gone to is simply amazing. Did you ever cover the Ficord 101 portable recorder. I have various Ficord recorders and most are quite plasticky but this things is a real quality item, made by Stellavox (ie. Nagra) apparently. I have 2 101Ss, you can have one if you like.. I only have 1 set of accessories (case, batteries, external mic. etc.) but you can borrow those if you want to make a video..
I saw Mission Impossible a little when I was young. Thanks to these videos I'm now watching from the start. Great work as always! <3
I’d love to get the time to watch them all....believe it or not I haven’t seen a full episode since the ‘80s.
Yes. Pt III pls!!
That was fun... I'm actually considering watching Mission Impossible now :-)
I came across one of them gorgeous Nagra recorders in mint condtion and with all accessories in a 2nd hand shop about a year ago, kind of a bargain as well at around $2K... unfortunately really couldn't spare the cash or justify such a piece, but it drove me mad to let it go... Awesome intro, looking forward to the next part!
Haha - I nearly died watching the intro! Excellent video - looking forward to the third one.
I love this little set, we always see things about "Cars in the Movies" and "Guns in the Movies" but I really like this whole "Electronics in the Movies" thing you've started doing.
I became a Patron just so I could post a reply to please ask for a Part 3 for TROMI. Thank you for all you do with showing and explaining vintage tech of all stripes.
It’s looking likely that I’ll make a third episode, the views on part 2 are quite a bit lower than ideal, it seems these videos have a very specialised audience.
Is that bike's tank really large enough to entirely fit the tape recorder when closed? Or is it really positioned behind the bike?
Yes it was closed in the tank, there’s plenty of room in there. Here’s my old review of the bike <a href="https://youtu.be/xTOy5wZWKJQ" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/xTOy5wZWKJQ</a>
That jacket at the start is awesome! Really works with the bad grey wig.
I'm all in favor of more of these videos. The little scene at the begenning was fantastic, and the amount of detail you put into history and research of these machines is marvelling. It almost makes me curious if you were ever interested in doing a sort of video series where you searched for continuity errors in TV shows and movies. Regardless, keep up the great work, and here's hoping to a part 3!
More? Yes, please. A fascinating subject, and well-executed- you're becoming a top-notch editor Mat, as this episode well shows. Combine that with a great fun Factor, and you have all the things that make Techmoan the best on the Internet. Thanks.
I get a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment from editing. It’s amazing how much a fraction of a second of ‘footage’ can completely change the feeling of a scene.
I literally pressed pause before watching any further after the intro to leave this comment. Mat, that bit at the beginning was SO funny and well executed!! Okay, now I’m going to watch the rest of this and I couldn’t be more excited to help contribute to its moderate YouTube success! You’re the best.
The intro was hilarious. Also the "footage" thing was literally mind-blowing. Please do a part 3. Also I would love a "how things are going" talk/video, so maybe next month something like that? Cheers my friend I very much enjoy your content, all of it.
I love these. So much attention to detail! Really fun to watch the progression of the props as they figure out how to make the effects work across the series. And I learned something more useful too, never realized that's why capstan drive was used!
Lots of fun! Thanks for part 2. Would love to see a part 3 sometime if you decide to make one. I particularly like seeing how the footage ends up being reused, and the techniques refined. Thanks for all the details. Ewen
Maybe you won’t win any awards for acting, but your videos sure are award worthy. Sign me up for a MI TR part 3 vote
Hi Mat, My congratulations on an excellent video, I thoroughly enjoyed it. This must have taken a long time to do, the effort shows. I would love to see episode three.
Here’s to the trifecta! 👍
I enjoyed watching it. I’d love to see a part 3.
Yes, more please! :-) I like to see you acting ;-)
Here's hoping for a part 3! Also, my mind is officially blown over the 'footage' info. Why didn't I notice that before??? >.
I vote "Yes" to a part 3. Thanks. 🙂
Just so great Mat! And I love the wink to "Airplane"... You are a nutter, you are! Just like me I'm afraid.
A propos of nothing, I saw this and thought of you: <a href="https://www.aliexpress.com/item/ANSTAR-4G-Android-HD-1080P-Car-DVR-10-Mirror-Auto-Camera-GPS-WIFI-ADAS-Dual-Lens/32906937759.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.aliexpress.com/item/ANSTAR-4G-Android-HD-1080P-Car-DVR-10-Mirror-Auto-Camera-GPS-WIFI-ADAS-Dual-Lens/32906937759.html</a> I have no real idea of what this is, but as you're into dashcams etc., I thought it might make a video?
That looks wider than my car. Up until recently I’ve ignored these as they wouldn’t fit in anything I owned. The Mini’s mirror has cameras and sensors in it that these block and also I’d lose the auto-dimming feature. However they may just about fit in my other car...perhaps I should try one out.
Up to you, Pal. It's probably only people like me who would notice and realise what was wrong. It doesn't take away the meaning of the clip.
That was quite a tour de force, Mat. Such a lot of work, and although I already knew the difference between rim and capstan drive, it held my attention throughout. I'll even forgive you breaking the 180 degree rule in the intro. :-) Yes please do go on to make Part III when you can. We now know your 'specialist subject' on Mastermind anyway!
I’m starting to think I should re-edit and flip the footage in the intro now.
Don't worry about your acting ability, Mat. If you should fall through a worm hole and end up in the early 1970s, you could make a comfortable life as a TV actor. Might even make some people envious.
Thanks, another great video. I can’t believe it’s taken all these years to find out what the post was for (I was only a child and mine was second hand with no instructions). 👍
That must have played on your mind. I know it was the first thing that puzzled me when I saw the machine.
Filling out my Emmy nomination for the intro. It's Mat with one T, correct?
Yep - one T and no Emmy.
Really enjoyed the 2 so far, would like to see a third. Loving the detail and light hearted feel.
Excellent series, please keep them coming. I'll subscribe twice if it helps!
I rarely do a ‘you might want to subscribe’ type message, but I feel that there’s a slim chance these could get shared on a TV or movie forum, so it would be nice to pick up a few new subs....it’s been so quiet recently.
This was great, loved the self aware introduction. And footage, jeez. Never thought about it but that makes too much sense 😑
I’m so glad there’s another person that I’ve ruined the word ‘footage’ for.
I am blown away (mind blown, lol) by the amount of work you've done here. The level of detail regarding documenting appearances in the show is just staggering. Congratulations. I very much enjoy this series.
Thanks. My aim with these was to go all out silly on the fine detail. If something like this isn’t really worth doing, then it’s not worth doing to a ridiculously pedantic degree.
Great video! Thanks for posting! I can see there was a great amount of research and editing that went into it again. I hope you'll make a part 3 too. Pet Peeve: Be careful with all the "Howevers" in the voice-over, you're going to sound like 8-Bit Guy if you keep that up :-)
Great video I enjoyed it! I love the intro. That footage would be perfect with a motorcycle from the seventies. ;-) I hope you will do a third part during this year.
Yes I wish I’d had a 70s bike for that bit (but for nothing else).
Really enjoyed that, brought a lot of memories back. A part 3 would be genius. Thank you.
Loved the intro Mat! I know you're running out of ideas on the puppets, and I while I love them, I think you have some seriously underused talent in the live action skits. If you're ever questioning whether or not to do more, I say go for it!
Whenever I get the opportunity to send myself up - I’ll take it. You can’t take yourself seriously as a ‘youtuber’ I mean that’s not even a job any insurance company acknowledges exists.
Man, you put a lot of work into this series. Thanks. I have a machine I call my spy recorder. It’s a briefcase with a cassette recorder and a radio inside. There are holes at the hinge end. One one side the telescoping antenna pops out, but on the other side there’s just a hole, with the wired microphone nestled inside. The stranger bit is that there’s also a very short endless loop of tape inside the mechanism that can’t be removed. I have no idea what that would be used for.
That is unusual. Small loops are primarily used for echo devices - I’ve seen some used in language tape recorders to repeat back a short phrase for learning or playing back to a teacher.
As always, a wonderful episode, please make a part three.
Yeah. Gotta complete the series. Take your time, though. No rush.
Thank you for this installment Mat. I look forward to a third.
Exellent video! Regarding the "tape operating stick", the Norwegian manufacturer "Tandberg" perfected this! They made a lot of reel to reel tape machine models through decades. I have been using Tandberg reel to reel machines since 1969. In my country (Sweden) they were THE standard reel to reel tape machine present in every school. The mechanism is very well constructed. It never fails! The tape movement is secured simply by using a filt cushing on both sides of the tape. I still have some of these machines of different ages:-) Please se: <a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b&tbm=isch&q=tandberg&chips=q:tandberg,online_chips:tape+recorder&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjDptqes_XfAhWKw4sKHcIUBHIQ4lYIKygF&biw=1429&bih=961&dpr=0.9" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b&tbm=isch&q=tandberg&chips=q:tandberg,online_chips:tape+recorder&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjDptqes_XfAhWKw4sKHcIUBHIQ4lYIKygF&biw=1429&bih=961&dpr=0.9</a>
Oh my god, I died laughing at the beginning.
PS I was just writing a post about ghosts of old tech in language today, and I stumbled upon “footage” too! <a href="https://medium.com/@mwichary/the-ghost-tech-in-todays-language-c3becc9ae30b" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://medium.com/@mwichary/the-ghost-tech-in-todays-language-c3becc9ae30b</a>
I had always known of the show, but had never watched it. Thanks to the your episode 1, I am now on season 4! It is much better than I expected. Thanks!
This shows how ‘Fair Use’ can work for everyone. In theory CBS (or whoever owns the rights this week) might even end up selling a few more DVDs.
I have to say that your portrayal of Jim Phelps was accurate and convincing--right down to the appropriately-timed head movements and staring into the distance while listening to the mission briefing. I had to "stop the tape" when I saw that because I burst out laughing! You made my day--thanks Mat.
Always happy if I manage to make anyone smile.
Excellent stuff Mat! Pleased you were able to identify the machine used in the recent MI movie. Part 3? Yes please! Acting? Ermm, I should stick with the day job for now.....
So you think there's no chance at me being the next Bond then...damn I had my hopes set on that.
Thanks for the video Mat. I learned something new today. I appreciate the effort you put in. To find a player and research the facts is a big undertaking. Then you spend hours finding and adding all the bits of video. I admire your abilities. The intro was very good. I personally dont skip through the content. Mind you, I do look on the timeline while the outro is playing hoping the Moans will make an apperance. I hope you make a part 3. Best wishes.
Yes, I hope you will make a part 3. I enjoy the history on all the types of media you have covered over the years. However, it is really cool to see them in history, even if it is a Hollywood version of history. It gives a level of historical context to the device (if that makes any sense).
Agreed!
I gave it a thumbs up right after the questionable acting bit which actually made ma laugh, never stop entertaining us!
Oh will look forward to this later. I normally watch in the evening on while I'm doing jobs in the kitchen but sometimes I use my Chromecast Ultra on my main telly and I must say your video quality in UHD is amazing. It's great for seeing the textures of the materials on old tech! Btw: I picked up a Ford Audio Systems demo cassette recently off eBay. It's made by Loran, also has Ford and JBL logos. Clear shell, silver stickers. Says "duplicated in realtime" "Metal bias 70us EQ Dolby B". I don't think I've ever heard a cassette sounding so bright. Might be worth picking one up if you don't already have one. Has a decent variety of music on it.
I saw someone mention one of these recently. I'd like to try a pre-recorded metal tape. I'll keep my eye open.
The level of self-deprecation in the opening reel makes me proud to be English. We really do it best.
It's one of those things that some people from other parts of the world don't understand about our humour - they've been encouraged to promote themselves to others and talk up their abilities whenever possible. I think over here we know when something is a bit rubbish and enjoy having a laugh about it. I'm expecting I'll get a few 'oh don't be so hard on yourself' comments
I have experienced both extremes in my work life: Either you need to burn the rest of your budget in december, spending more in december, or your budget has dried up and you are waiting for a new budget to come in January, spending less in December. Either way, it is weird. Budgets are a bit like Democracy: It doesn't really work that well, but we haven't found a better thing yet.
Nice work Mat, and more please. Well put together as always - the ‘footage’ diversion welcome too - and shows up how mechanical the production was for these TV series. In twenty years the same might be done for props on the (similarly naff) S.H.I.E.LD. The ‘acting’ was just right! I hope your health is holding up.
Thanks for the concern - I'm still standing. I was wondering if MI was one the first TV shows with such a clearly defined formula. Nowadays of course it's par for the course with many network TV shows - it seems that the audience like to know what they're getting. Shows like House, CSI NCIS etc really stuck to a rigid set formula.
Looking forward to episode 3!
I've only ever seen a handful of episodes of this tv show but I'm still really enjoying these videos. There is just something about portable reel to reel machines I find fascinating.
These are genius shows, Matt! Don’t think of them as being unpopular but as having cult followings!
I enjoyed it. Never saw the series, but I do like a minutely researched subject. To be honest, it felt a bit long because of some detail...
I don't tend to factor in video length so much nowadays. 'Viewer Retention Time' averages at 44% so most people bail early. Even discounting the outro (which may be 10-15% of a video) there's still a good 40% of every video going unwatched. I think most viewers probably skip around.
If you have time, I'd love to see episode 3, this program was part of my childhood. Though I'm sure the gladiator question is from "Airplane"
Yes it’s a take on a line from Airplane - a bit of an in joke.
I laughed really hard on the mission briefing gig
I enjoy these videos and I don’t want to google the other types of tape recorders used so another vid would be good 😀