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Byer R-12-D Disc Recorder

Byer R-12-D image #1

The Byer R-12-D was available for sale from the late 1940's. Unlike the Byer R-33 which was a self contained disc recording and replay unit complete with electronics, the R-12-D was a record cutter and player without the necessary record/replay electronics. The reason for this was cost, amature and professional recordists could save money by building the electronics themselves.

Byer R-12-D image #2

This image is a close up of the operating instruction plate on the R-12-D.

Byer R-12-D image #3

The turntable of the R-12-D is rim driven. The underside of the platter has a square section rubber ring and the motor shaft directly drives the rubber on the platter. The force adjustment allows the motor to position to be set so that there is sufficient friction between the motor shaft and the platter rim to ensure there is no slippage under normal operating conditions. To change speeds bronze bushes fit on the motor shaft. In this image the 78rpm bush is on the motor shaft, there was a smaller 45rpm bush and the motor shaft diameter gives 33rpm.

Motor Data Card #1 Motor Data Card #2

Byer Industries used to provide a separate information and warranty card for the motor supplied in the R-12-D. This information was provided by Rod Kemp, many thanks Rod.


Byer R12 ad #1

This is an early advertisement for the R-12 disc cutter, October 1947. At this time the R-12 would have be a single speed unit (78rpm only).

Byer R12 ad #2

By July 1948 the Byer R-12 turntable was advertised as a dual speed unit, allowing 33 & 78 rpm discs to be cut.

Byer R12 ad #3

By 1951 the model number has changed to R-12-D and I assume the "D" suffix means dual speed. This advertisement says that the R-33 and R-12-D are capable of recording at microgroove pitch so by this time both sets of gears would have been available to allow standard and microgroove pitches to be recorded.

Byer R12 ad #4

By 1953/4 a third speed (45rpm) was added to the R-12-D.


Byer R-47 Volume Indicator

This is a recording level indicator specifically for connection to the R-12-D and the R-33 disc recorders. The socket for this unit is located on the turntable near the pivot of the cutter arm and connects across the signal wires to the cutter head.