Could you guys post some of your work..

[Bigsnake00]

I was just wanting to hear with my own ears the differences in 1/4in and 1/2 in recordings. I know I will loose some warmth through mp3's, but I would still love to hear some stuff.
Thanks

[DigitalSmigital]

I mean, click on my name, visit DigiSmigi's homepage. All cassette recordings. Same thing for most of the guys 'n gals in here. Except the cassette part. Most of em have reel to reels.

[The Ghost of FM]

Here's something done on a 1/4" machine a few years ago by me and my friend Doug.

http://www.pathcom.com/~u1078326/sistersara.mp3

Cheers!

[Bigsnake00]

Smigital...I love that name, I do that with words all the time

[mawtangent]

Hey Bigsnake00...here is a link to two songs that were recorded on a Yamaha MT50 4-track cassette...I am really happy with "Tiny Pieces" (a friend sang the vocals and played the guitar)...since recording these songs (by reading this board) I have found out how sub-par some of my signal chain is...I used a cheap mic for the vocals and I went into my computer using a Soundblaster Live soundcard ("Rain Keeps the Crud Off the Streets" is a strait mix down from the 4-track to the computer, "Tiny Pieces" was mixed to cassette and then recorded to computer)...I might have gotten a better sound with a better mic and soundcard. I used a couple of sub-$100 effect boxes (a Boss delay was used for the vocals in "Tiny Pieces")

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/5/twangermusic.htm

P.S. I just realized that cassette is 1/8 inch tape...so this doesn't really apply to your question...sorry

[Bigsnake00]

mawtangent....sounds great!

[mawtangent]

Hey Bigsnake00, thanks...the songs may not be great but I think the equipement (relatively humble as it is) is good enough to capture a good song (that is, to me, writing a good song is the biggest challenge)

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by The Ghost of FM

Here's something done on a 1/4" machine a few years ago by me and my friend Doug.

http://www.pathcom.com/~u1078326/sistersara.mp3

Cheers!

Great work here! Truly fine production Jeff! Which 1/4" machine did you use btw ?

~Daniel

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by mawtangent

Hey Bigsnake00...here is a link to two songs that were recorded on a Yamaha MT50 4-track cassette...I am really happy with "Tiny Pieces" (a friend sang the vocals and played the guitar)...since recording these songs (by reading this board) I have found out how sub-par some of my signal chain is...I used a cheap mic for the vocals and I went into my computer using a Soundblaster Live soundcard ("Rain Keeps the Crud Off the Streets" is a strait mix down from the 4-track to the computer, "Tiny Pieces" was mixed to cassette and then recorded to computer)...I might have gotten a better sound with a better mic and soundcard. I used a couple of sub-$100 effect boxes (a Boss delay was used for the vocals in "Tiny Pieces")

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/5/twangermusic.htm

P.S. I just realized that cassette is 1/8 inch tape...so this doesn't really apply to your question...sorry

The songs are fine examples of where production technique overcomes the limitations of 1/8" tape and narrow track width. Good job my friend.

Daniel

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by DigitalSmigital

Most of em have reel to reels.

Oh, come-on ... ya gotta get yerself one of 'em open reel thangs!

Btw, heard Nine Little Words and Moni's Song. The first one was just so damn fun to listen to and the second was very haunting and beautiful. Very impressive writing and production.

~Daniel

[The Ghost of FM]

Originally Posted by cjacek

Great work here! Truly fine production Jeff! Which 1/4" machine did you use btw ?

~Daniel

That was done on a TEAC A3340S!...18 years ago!

Thanks for checking it out!

Cheers!

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by The Ghost of FM

That was done on a TEAC A3340S!...18 years ago!

Thanks for checking it out!

Cheers!

Damn, the 3340S sounds as good or better than anything past or present. Tremendous Hi-Fi sound! That some dis those "vintage" machines is beyond me ..

~Daniel

[A Reel Person]

http://www.nowhereradio.com/davemania/singles

... and I hope you've enjoyed it. Come again!

PS: there's lots of cassette Portastudio stuff there, (244, 424mkII), 1/4"-8-track (388) and 1/2"-track (38/M30) stuff out there. Thanx, any time!

[Bigsnake00]

Some great recordings out there guys!

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by A Reel Person

http://www.nowhereradio.com/davemania/singles

... and I hope you've enjoyed it. Come again!

PS: there's lots of cassette Portastudio stuff there, (244, 424mkII), 1/4"-8-track (388) and 1/2"-track (38/M30) stuff out there. Thanx, any time!

Ya gotta love this stuff!

[Bigsnake00]

Reel Person,
Am I correct in thinking the 388 has a 2 bus mixer? Or do each of the channels on the mixer correspond to the 8 tracks being recorded?

[A Reel Person]

The 388 has what's known as an 8x8x2 mixer, which is:
8-inputs,
8-busses, &
2-buss "stereo" section, (which includes Cue monitor).

So, the 388's an 8-buss configuration, that records from (up to) 8-inputs to (up to) 8-tracks simultaneously. Any of the 8-inputs can be routed to any of the 8 PGM BUSSes, and therefore, to any of the 8-tape tracks.

The 388's a highly capable machine, that's not equalled by today's breed of digi-8-trackers.

[Bigsnake00]

so, can you send 3 channels of the mixer, to one track on the recorder? LIke if you were to triangle mic the drums, would you take up 3 tracks, or could you send it to 1

[A Reel Person]

You could route 3-input channels to one tape track, if you wished, & if that fit the occasion, or any number of other combinations.

8x8x2.

[Bigsnake00]

Thanks a million!

[DigitalSmigital]

A Reel Dave, I dig that site, especially the plethora of recorders and the cataloging of the techniques used. And I like to hear real drumsets recorded on cassette Portas. Thanks to CJ for listening and the kind words.

My own attempts have met with disasters and success (to some degree) as far as drums are concerned, but I feel I have made some strides in improving my all around sound, and drums in particular.

Balancing costs from mics and fx against those from upgrading to a reel to reel are my concern now in 2005, as Daniel has counseled.

A TASCAM 38 plus a desk along with the gear I have would be my dream set up. But I fear this may remain out of my grasp, and another year of buying more gear improving the signal chain rather than upgrading the recorder will leave me polishing a turd (ouch) again.

[A Reel Person]

All that NWR stuff was fun to record, & fun to post, so it's my only hope that it will also be fun to listen to!

Although I'm not locked into any one format, I've never felt limited by the Portastudio. It is what it is, and thank god for that. Sure, the 1/2" 38 and matching mixer sounds bigger, which can't be denied, but I use my cassette Portastudios as much as the 1/2". A good middle-of-the-road is the 1/4"-8-track Tascam 388, which is one of my favorites.

I've never sweated productions too much, other than trying to execute on the songs and to present my best effort, or representation of the songs. As sounds go, either drums or otherwise, I usually have some standard setups that I EQ moderately for best sound, & that's about it. All done by ear & semi-formulaic approach to setup & preproduction. Then, bang out & capitalize on the inherent energy of the songs. Nothing fancy. No gimmicks or sleight of hand.

Thanx for listening & your kind comments. It's all done for fun, and that's the bottom line. /DA