Magna-Tech 35mm Sound Film Reproducer

Magna-Tech 35mm sound film reproducer (previously used in NMeM IMAX projection room).

Magna-Tech Series 600 Electronic Interlock 35mm Magnetic Film Sound Reproducer, used from 1983 onwards in conjunction with the IMAX projector to reproduce the six-track surround sound for IMAX films shown at the National Media Museum's IMAX cinema.

The Magna-Tech Electronic Company had its origins in the early years of the development of analogue magnetic recording used for post-production of motion pictures; many of its staff came from the Reeves Corporation in the 1950s. Hazard 'Buzz' Reeves had worked closely with Fred Waller in the development of Cinerama and had been responsible for the surround sound magnetic recording used in that process. The company developed the world's first successful combination 16/35mm all-electronic projection system for post production. This, combined with the withdrawal of the previous market leaders, RCA and Westrex, from this field, led to Magna-Tech becoming dominating the market and receiving a Technical Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The 600 series of recorder/reproducers were available in many different combinations - as a recorder/reproducer or reproducer only and for 35mm, 17.5mm or 16mm formats. The important aspect is that they can be electronically interlocked with any film projector, sound recorder or videotape machine equipped with a shaft encoder or capable of outputting EBU or SMPTE time code. and it follows the interlock source backwards and forwards up to 10 times sync speed.