Cjacek's thread got me to thinkin'........

[jjones1700]

............always trouble when I think.

I know this is entirely theoretical but what do guys think would happen if someone started producing open reel decks again (other than the $3k Teac/Tascam)? Do you think people would flock to it since parts/service would be easier to obtain? Or would there just be a small handful willing to part with their current machines to try the new? I SERIOUSLY doubt that anyone would start making decks again, but it piqued my curiosity.

[SteveM]

I would buy a new deck, if I had the money. It would be tough though because you could always buy something better for less sitting somewhere, being unused. That's the problem now. But if they had the support and I had the cash for sure I'd get a new one.

[Beck]

It’s largely dependant on marketing and perceptions. Right now manufacturers have an advantage with the comparatively low cost and high profit margin of the wares they’re currently hocking. They don’t have much incentive to pursue analog on a large scale. Combine that with a consumer base that got into recording through their personal computers in the first place and… well it would take a lot to change the way things are.

The current trend is outsourcing, cost cutting and basically squeaking by as far as quality (as it is in most industries right now.) This isn’t the best time in the history of recording for an industry-wide shakeup.

Now if they can do the Microsoft style outsourcing and pitch it right they could take advantage of this analog thing, that in their minds just won’t seem to go away… so why not make a buck or two until it does. The tech support will be a nightmare though.

[cjacek]

....plus, if I may add, some would argue to bring manufacturing to China and this would cut a lot of costs, for sure, but who would buy a "Made in China" TASCAM, I ask you? [The above "microsoft" pict is right on]

...but do companies really have to sell these open reel decks by the truck full or would just 1 or 2 a month be enough? IMHO, the smartest thing TASCAM could do, and I spoke about this a while ago, is to have a "special order" page, where you pay upfront, cash, cheque, CC, financing, whatever.. and they build the said machine and send it on to you [through a dealer]. Even if they sell 1 a month, that's a lot of money for just 1 product. If they could use their existing fascilities to take care of a niche market and those few willing to pay the full retail price, then it would be a good deal. Everyone would be fat, full and happy!

[SteveM]

This got me thinking now too (is it contagious?) The sad truth is an analog recording in it's pure form these days would never reach the majority of people. With CDs, digitally enhanced radio, digital cable and downloads, etc. hearing anything analog has become lost. There are kids now who may grow up and never hear any media in analog. Kind of mind blowing.

[jjones1700]

Originally Posted by cjacek

....plus, if I may add, some would argue to bring manufacturing to China and this would cut a lot of costs, for sure, but who would buy a "Made in China" TASCAM, I ask you? [The above "microsoft" pict is right on]

...but do companies really have to sell these open reel decks by the truck full or would just 1 or 2 a month be enough? IMHO, the smartest thing TASCAM could do, and I spoke about this a while ago, is to have a "special order" page, where you pay upfront, cash, cheque, CC, financing, whatever.. and they build the said machine and send it on to you [through a dealer]. Even if they sell 1 a month, that's a lot of money for just 1 product. If they could use their existing fascilities to take care of a niche market and those few willing to pay the full retail price, then it would be a good deal. Everyone would be fat, full and happy!

Doesn't Tascam still make one when you order it? I was thinking there was something like an 8 week for it and a $3,000 price tag. Or is that urban legend?

[jjones1700]

Originally Posted by SteveM

This got me thinking now too (is it contagious?) The sad truth is an analog recording in it's pure form these days would never reach the majority of people. With CDs, digitally enhanced radio, digital cable and downloads, etc. hearing anything analog has become lost. There are kids now who may grow up and never hear any media in analog. Kind of mind blowing.

Doh! I didn't think about the dominant digital content delivery. What is sad is that HD radio sounds like ass, but that is another discussion.:P

I still have a glimmer of hope though. If vinyl is making any kind of a comeback...............anything could be possible.

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by jjones1700

Doesn't Tascam still make one when you order it? I was thinking there was something like an 8 week for it and a $3,000 price tag. Or is that urban legend?

No, that was a few years ago when I posted about TASCAM still making the 34B, as a "special run", for TEAC Canada. They never advertised it but they sold out quickly. The word was that TEAC Japan had to shut down operations at their factory in order to build those open reel decks. Problem was that they didn't like to shift focus away from their mass market production of their digital offerings. Too bad, cause for an unadvertised, underground production of the 34B, it sold like hotcakes. Yes, the 34B was sold for about $3000 USD.

[MartyMcFly]

I would gladly pay 3000.00 USD for a New 34b or 38 or machine similar. It would be well worth the money to have a BRAND NEW machine that has never been used by anyone. NEVER shipped across the country 7-10 times by idiots who dont know how to pack it. Still has some kind of warranty.
I have been thinking about this too lately. Why isnt there SOME company out there that still special orders them. Or maybe this whole site could combine our resources together and well make them ourselves...

[A Reel Person]

Anyway, $3k should buy you an 8-track!................................

[SteveM]

Dave you could sell all you have and have a couple brand new Studers. Even pick one up locally.

[A Reel Person]

I don't think so.

[Han]

A couple of brand new Studer A827's are still in stock and not so expensive, some 25K british pounds I guess.

If I could afford it I would buy one of these, but I'm very happy with the Otari 2" 24 I own.

[cjacek]

Originally Posted by Han

A couple of brand new Studer A827's are still in stock and not so expensive, some 25K british pounds I guess.

That seems off. Do you mean maybe in USD? Last time I've heard they were drastically discounted to about 20K USD. 25K BP is like 50K USD.

[Beck]

Originally Posted by SteveM

This got me thinking now too (is it contagious?) The sad truth is an analog recording in it's pure form these days would never reach the majority of people. With CDs, digitally enhanced radio, digital cable and downloads, etc. hearing anything analog has become lost. There are kids now who may grow up and never hear any media in analog. Kind of mind blowing.

Being into ham radio I've thought a lot about this very thing. Years ago I had a couple friends in town running low power FM stations out of there homes. Since everyone but manufacturers are giving it away these days... hey, this could be the youtube of the airways at a local level.

"Mommy, why does the music on that little station, WTBK, sound better than the big commercial stations?"

This is another advantage of small college stations and even some larger University stations that haven’t upgraded equipment in eons. We have a classical FM station at the college of music here that still plays vinyl among other standard formats. The records still skip (sometimes when the DJ is in the bathroom or has fallen asleep or something... I dunno).

It used to be a local joke that you would turn to that station and either hear dead silence or an LP skipping for several minutes straight before someone catches it. I love it…. Like going back in time. When they do manage to play a set with no interruptions it definitely sounds better than any of our commercial stations, which are digitally processing the hell out of everything.

A station could bill itself as an analog station and achieve some success with that angle, but FCC rules are making that difficult and in the future impossible. Maybe when people see the government is forcing digital down their throats they will rebel. As much a we like to think technology is just advancing, the digital revolution in all its various manifestations is all about greed and control. Lobbyists and politicians are determining how we will be permitted to listen to music and watch TV just to protect the interests of a few media moguls.

Long live pirate radio and the old analog equipment that can’t be traced!

[jjones1700]

Originally Posted by Beck

Long live pirate radio and the old analog equipment that can’t be traced!

Damn skippy!!

I really need to go and take my Ham test and get my license. I've studied for the damned thing twice and never got a chance to take it. I guess third time will be the charm when I get time to devote to it. Just f'n wonderful, yet ANOTHER expensive hobby.

[SteveM]

I have no idea what ham radio is. But college stations do rock. I know the one I listen to does. WERS Emmerson College radio. They play the most interesting obscure stuff.

[Han]

@Beck

Talking about radio, there's a commercial radio station in Europe called 'Arrow classic rock' and they sent Metallica's 'Nothing else matters' in the air which was recorded by a colleagua of mine on a CD recorder. Here's the wav: http://amorgignitamorem.nl/Temp/Slot...72007_1410.wav

The very same song was broadcasted by an amateur radiostation in Breda the Netherlands and this was also recorded on a CD recorder by the same guy. And if you can't hear the difference there's something very wrong with the hearing: http://amorgignitamorem.nl/Temp/Zo_m...lseMatters.wav

[SteveM]

Interesting. The first one sounds louder but thinner like it was compressed and like they added more reverb . Like an MP3. The 2nd one sounds righter!

[Beck]

I don't know what the different stations are using, but the second one gets my vote for listenability.

Arrow Classic Rock has that sizzling sound like someone is frying bacon, which just makes my ears hurt and makes me hungry for whatever’s cookin’

[SteveM]

Originally Posted by Beck

Arrow Classic Rock has that sizzling sound like someone is frying bacon,

Good description!