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Byer Variable Multi Delay Unit
Byer Variable Multiple Delay Unit

Recently I acquired this piece of equipment, clearly it is a tape loop delay what is interesting is that it is made from components used in the Byer "77" transport. There is no labeling to identify that it was made by Byer industries however, the build quality, components, paint, case, etc points to it being a special made for the ABC. (there is still an ABC asset label on the case).

Byer Variable Multiple Delay Unit Name

This image shows the name of the equipment.

Byer VMDU Head Block

The head cover has been removed to make it easy to see all of the heads. From the left is a standard Byer "77" head block with the erase, record and play heads. To the right is a bar with three sliding play heads that can be moved to a given distance away from the head block and locked into position. When the positions of all three sliding heads are set then four delay periods are available because there is the also a fixed delay between the record and play heads in the main head block. Further, as the tape loop speed can be 7.5 IPS or 15 IPS there is more scope to change the delay periods.

Byer VMDU Under Deck

Here is a general view of the internal arrangement of the delay unit. In the centre is the combined power and speed switch which includes the record equalization and below are all of the sockets which connect to the amplifier unit. Unfortunately, the mating amplifier was missing but it appears that signal cables are compatible with the Byer "77" amplifier connections, so it should be easy to test.