Sony KP-3
Sony
Japan
Tape Deck Details
Number of Motors
Number of Heads
Head Configuration
Mono - Half-Track
Wow & Flutter
Signal-to-Noise [dB]
Dimensions [mm]
Weight [kg]
Year built
Head Composition
Permalloy
Equalization
NAB
Frequency Response
Speed
3¾, 7½
Max Reel [inch]
7
Tracks
1/2 Rec/PB
Price
Additional Information
The Sony KP-3 reel-to-reel tape deck is an early portable tape recorder featuring basic functionality tailored for field recording and general use. The Sony KP-3 is a very rare model, and its designation may be related to one of Sony's extremely early, specialized, or non-consumer products, as it does not fit neatly into the well-documented TC (Tape Corder) or EM (Newscaster) series.
Technical Overview:
Tape speeds: 7½ and 3¾ inches per second (ips), common for vintage portable decks.
Features: Basic transport functions such as fast forward, rewind, record, and pause.
Metering: Analog level meter for recording level monitoring.
Inputs: Microphone input for direct recording.
Playback: Likely a mono format typical for smaller portable decks.
Power: Runs on batteries, making it suitable for portable applications.
Use: Designed for simple, rugged recording needs such as news gathering or on-the-go audio capture.
This unit does not have advanced features like multi-track recording or noise reduction, focusing instead on reliability and portability in an earlier era of reel-to-reel technology.