Ferrite Head

An audio tape head is an electronic component, which converts electrical signals into magnetic fields, and converts magnetic fields back into electrical signals. At a very basic level, it has a coil, which produces a magnetic field when a current passes through it. In this mode, it behaves as a recording head. However, in the presence of a changing magnetic field, the coil induces a current, and in this mode, it behaves as a playback head.

The performance of this conversion depends upon many characteristics such as the head gap, smoothness of the head surface, the magnetic and non-magnetic materials used in its construction.

Sony TC152SD Ferrite & Ferrite Head

This Sony TC-152SD head has excellent sound recording capability. I noticed it when recording some of my MP3 tracks, with a boosted bass and tone. I noticed that this recorder could record frequencies in the higher and lower range of the sound spectrum far better than my other high-end machines with conventional heads.

Frequency Response

This head has a much wider frequency response. Here are some frequency response figures of interest.

• Chromium dioxide tape
• NAB: 30 / 15000 Hz
• DIN: 50 / 12500 Hz

• Ferric tape
• NAB: 30 / 13000 Hz
• DIN: 50 / 11000 Hz

Design

There are many benefits to using ferrite however, the manufacturing process tends to be more expensive, and as a result, only high-end machines have them.

Raw ferrite has to be hot-pressed under high temperature and pressure, which makes it extremely hard and durable. The material also forms a very smooth surface when viewed through a microscope, and this results in greatly reduced head wear.

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