Thinking of getting back into analog

[antispatula]

A few years ago when I got into recording, I started off in analog stuff, not touching computers. Overall, it was a frustrating expirience
I am very very glad I got a soundcard and software, it definitely saved my sanity and my fragile noob mind, back when I was still new to recording in general. I am much more expirienced with recording now however, and am not working heavily on any serious projects and am thinking about getting a 2 track 1/4" machine to mess with. Back in the day I had a Fostex R8, and 2 Otari MX-5050 MKIII's, which are all 8 tracks. But I'd like to get a 2 track that I can record on, then dump into my DAW. I think what re-sparked my interest in analog stuff is my newly aquired Fostex 3180 Spring Reverb. Man, it has a sound none of my VST's could ever get.

Anyways, I have a very clean transparent preamp (DAV BG1) and a very open-sounding vocal mic (Rode NT2) and thought perhaps I'd mess with trying to warm up the sound with tape. Any suggestions for a decent 2 track that wont clear out my pockets? I'd only be using it for vocals and perhaps acoustic guitar.

[cjacek]

Hey anti

From digital to analog then back to digital and then back to analog again. I've never seen that before! Hey, but it's all good.. Plenty of love here still.

...but anyway, before you do anything, look local where you can inspect it and pick it up yourself. Say no to shipping.

2 track reel to reel.... OK, I think you want to get a half track and in which case the TASCAM 22-2 comes into mind and also the 32, 42 and 52. The 22-2 will be the least expensive but is pretty much stripped of features but not of sound quality. If you wish to overdub (simul-sync) then only the 32, 42 and 52 will have that feature.

There's also some Revox and Fostex machines that some may recommend but I'm a TASCAM guy so I can't say one way or another.

Whatever you get buy local and on condition.

Bay Area.... You're in San Francisco?

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[Dr ZEE]

Originally Posted by antispatula

...I'd mess with trying to warm up the sound with tape. Any suggestions for a decent 2 track that wont clear out my pockets? I'd only be using it for vocals and perhaps acoustic guitar.

When looking forward to using a tape recorder as an effect device any machine will do the trick, but every single one will do it in a specific way (more or less).
So, for that purpose any deck that records and reproduces can be considered as a decent one.

You need to listen to decide which "effect" is good for your specific needs.

/respects and good luck