Sony EL-4
Dolby B NR Soft Touch

The Sony EL-4 is a stereo elcaset with Dolby B noise reduction, it was introduced by Sony in 1977 with a list price of USD $500.

The main features of the Sony EL-4 elcaset are: 2 heads, analog 3 digit tape counter and memory stop, manual tape type selection with support for normal, chrome and ferro-chrome tapes, single capstan transport.

Typical front loading elcaset with the cassette compartiment located on the left side of the deck. Tape eject is operated mechanically and the cassette needs to be placed with the side to be played facing forward in the cassette well.

Level meters used on the Sony EL-4 elcaset are analog needle VU reading meters. Soft-touch controls for fast and easy transport function selection of the Sony EL-4 elcaset. 9,5 cm/s faster recording/playback speed used in the EL-4 offers extended frequency response, increased dynamic range and transient response. EL-4.

The Dolby-B system reduces tape hiss on tapes recorded on the Sony EL-4 by as much as 10 dB at the highest frequencies. To further maintain recording accuracy, the EL-4 incorporates a switchable multiplex filter. When you record FM stereo broadcasts, the MPX filter of the EL-4 can be swiched on to prevent the standard 19kHz FM pilot signal from interfering with the noise reduction system.

To make live recordings this deck has 2 microphone inputs to connect microphones with a jack connector. For undisturbed listening a jack connector for a pair of stereo headphones is supplied. Connection to other audio components for plaback can be achieved by a RCA cable and recording from a source by a RCA cable.

Elcaset
  • Ferrite & Ferrite Head
  • Auto Shut Off

Historic events

1977 Tandy Radio Shack released its version of a personal home computer called the TRS-80.

Features of Sony EL-4

Connectors
Connectivity
2 Mono Microphone Inputs AC Power Connector (IEC) RCA Input/Output Connectors DIN Input/Output Connector Headphones
Display
Display
3-Digıt Mechanical Counter Analog Needle Meters
Cassette Exterior
Exterior
Silver Finish Orientation Left Front Loading
Compact Cassette
General
Stereo
Head Configuration
Head Configuration
2 Head Desiǥn 4 Track / 2 Channel
Indicators
Indicators
Record Dolby B Chrome Tape Ferro-Chrome Tape Normal Tape
Noise Resuction
Noise Reduction
Dolby-B Noise Reduction MPX Filter
Controls
Operation
Timer Recording/Playback Soft Touch Transport Control Line / Mic Input Select Record Mute Memory Stop
Power
Power Requirements
Alternating Current
Preamplifier
Preamplifier
Individual Input Level Controls
Tape Speed
Speed
3¾ ips - 9.52 cm/s
Tape
Tape
Manual Tape Type Selection Ferro-Chrome Tape Capabilıty Automatic Tape Type Selection Normal Tape Capabilıty Chrome Tape Capabilıty
Transport
Transport
Solenoid Control (Mechanism) Auto Shutoff 1x Motor Mechanism Mechanical Tape Loading Sìngle Capsŧan Transport

Similar to Sony EL-4 from the period 1977