Vintage tape recorder lofi looper

[oddworld]

Hi All, first time posting. I bought a vintage tape recorder on ebay (sanyo MC-1) and im looking to turn it into a pedal. there are already switches for forward/reverse, record/play and a speed knob, im thinking ill just put the whole thing in a bigger case, change the switches to stomp switches and make the tape into a loop. I was wondering before I start, do you guys have any tips for me? Here's a picture

[cloudscapes]

No tips from me other than to say this is immensely cool! I've been thinking of modding an old Marantz tape player for similar purpose.

[PRR]

Cool machine.

Try it before you hack it. The headshell suggests it is DC erase, thus DC bias. It will be VERY LOW FI. Tons of hiss.

And Hey! No capstan! Rim-drive! The tape speed depends on how full the reel is. This also means it WON'T work with a loop.

[FUZZZZzzzz]

looks like a cool project. how many heads does it have?

Maybe you could build a delay.

http://www.experimentalistsanonymous.com/diy/Schematics/Delay%20Echo%20and%20Samplers/Echo-matic%20cassette%20delay%20page%201.gif

http://www.experimentalistsanonymous.com/diy/Schematics/Delay%20Echo%20and%20Samplers/Echo-matic%20cassette%20delay%20page%202.gif

[oddworld]

I gave it a test run today. heres a video of the results. Used the mic it came with. Seems promising!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WZYg60baiNXr_Ot_PLffunrY-11UC2hq/view?usp=sharing

[Mark Hammer]

Frippertronics is pretty much what gave rise to the development of loopers.

[Digital Larry]

I gave it a test run today. heres a video of the results. Used the mic it came with. Seems promising!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WZYg60baiNXr_Ot_PLffunrY-11UC2hq/view?usp=sharing

My dad had two vintage tape recorders when I was a kid.  One of them had burned up and I got to take that one apart.  The other one was a great toy for years although I only did comical sped up/slowed down fart noises and improvised radio-dramas with my brothers and friends.  I have to agree with PRR that it might be hard to move the tape if the reels are taken off.

Good thing the recording didn't self destruct in five seconds!  psshhhhhhh