Sounds of the BASF Magnetics 6188R1

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Baden Aniline and Soda Factory (BASF) Magnetics 6188-R1
Country of Origin: Germany
Introduced: 1987
Interface: ST-412 (MFM nominal)
Capacity: 8MB
Form: 5.25 HH (1")
CHS: 320 / 3 / 17
LZN: 321
WPC: 64
Track-track: 16.8ms
Linear access: 52.6ms
Random access: 88.9ms
Rotational: 3600RPM
Media: Ferrous, inline TF heads
Disks: 2
Actuation: Linear rotary band stepper
Feedback: None
Lift/Lock/Park: Solenoid Lock / Automatic Park
Brake: Electromechanical with momentary dynamic braking
Service life: Unknown
Related models: Unknown
Failures: Unknown

Settings: No link at this time

My thoughts:
Now this drive is a freak of nature. Yes, you heard right, 8MB and 3 heads! 3 head stepper drive? No, there's no servo surface! This drive has 2 disks and only 3 heads. Check out the photos in the Discord server if you want to see for yourself - Any head select past 3 will cause a write fault! This drive has a strange faceplate and a bicolor LED that can flash error codes in red and activity in green. It's also got a brake solenoid for this tiny spindle, but dynamically brakes for the first few seconds to park the drive - Yes, this drive has auto parking like an ST-251! Additionally, it has an actuator lock as well, although it's not very strong. The chassis design of this drive is very strange and unwieldy looking, I'm not sure how much I like it's proportions. This is a very, very strange drive, but one I'm proud to own. For drives with similar geometry, I recommend the Shugart SA-712, because it also has 320 cylinders and 4 heads - In this situation, one head will go unused. What a neat drive!

Unrelated, I'm really trying to find other BASF drives, of any model. If you know the whereabouts of one, or have one to sell yourself, PLEASE get in touch! I offer rewards for tips that lead to the purchase of drives!