EMI Model L2 portable tape recorder

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EMI Model L2 portable tape recorder
Manufacturer	EMI
Production years	introduced 1952
Production location	(unknown)

Magnetic recorders using plastic tape were developed by AEG in Germany during the 1930s and were considerably improved during World War 2. Manufacture of tape recorders and plastic began in other countries in 1947-8 and were an immediate success in professional applications. In 1952 EMI designed a battery-powered portable tape recorder, the L2, which allowed recordings of professional quality to be made outside the studio. The location recordings for many of Charles Parker’s BBC ‘radio ballads’ were made using an L2.

[edit] How it worked

It was heavy, about 14" x 6" x 6" covered in green rexine with 3 spy windows in its hinged lid. Fitted with a webbing shoulder-strap - and a waterproof hold-all was also made. It held, in its internal stowage, a battery of eight U2 or D cells in an ali housing and an HT 90V battery to suit miniature valve(tube)requirements. The L2 took a 5" reel of 1/4" tape feeding to a 5" take-up spool.

Mono Mic input [via a Canon XLR connector] was often typically a hand-held STC apple-and-biscuit type. Recording Level was controlled by a pot. All controls were electro-mechanical. Centrally there was a tiny 30mm moving-coil level meter which could also read battery status. Rewind was manual by means of a press-down dog coupled to a step-up gear on a fold-away handle. Quality was reasonable using SP or LP tape, and was very acceptable for broadcasting, usually achieved by copying insert items in a studio. One whole SP tape of 300' lasted 16 mins. This valve machine may have been superseded by a transistorised version. But, by then, the Uher 4000 was becoming universally popular.

[edit] Memories

Do you remember these portable tape recorders? Add your memories.

[edit] In the Science Museum's Records

Inv. No: 1971-521 Source: British Broadcasting Corporation