Render & AnalogWizard
Hey, I've been thinking about taking an old reel‑to‑reel tape deck and giving it a fresh 3D‑printed shell—maybe with some new controls—while still keeping its analog soul intact. What do you think?
A 3D‑printed shell on a reel‑to‑reel is a curious idea, but if you keep the tape transport intact and only dress the case, you might actually honor its analog soul. Just make sure the new controls don’t interfere with the delicate gear train, or you’ll end up with a shell that looks slick but feels like a broken record.
Sounds good—I'll keep the motor shaft and gears untouched, just swap in a sleek, light‑weight shell and add a small OLED panel for the readouts. That way the old mechanics stay clean, and the new controls sit just above the gear train without any friction. I'll run a few tolerance checks before printing to make sure nothing rubs against the moving parts.
Sounds like a solid plan—just remember the tape transport’s feel is in the tiny play of those gears. Keep a finger on the tension and you’ll have a shell that’s as elegant as it is functional. Good luck with the tolerances.
Thanks, I'll keep the tension under close watch and do a few play tests before finalizing the design. It’s all about those subtle gear clicks, after all.