jpmorris
Tape Wolf
Very impressive indeed.
T
telecasterrok
New member
Thanks guys....
famous beagle, I hear you on the RA comparison. Ethan Johns makes some of my favorite recordings so I was really trying to emulate the sense of space and liveliness that he gets.
The room was untreated... it was my friends living room, which was fairly small, but had nice wood floors. I told the singer to get real close to his mic so that there would be less bleed, and the drummer played pretty softly with brushes.
It was especially fun to work with out overdubs!
famous beagle, I hear you on the RA comparison. Ethan Johns makes some of my favorite recordings so I was really trying to emulate the sense of space and liveliness that he gets.
The room was untreated... it was my friends living room, which was fairly small, but had nice wood floors. I told the singer to get real close to his mic so that there would be less bleed, and the drummer played pretty softly with brushes.
It was especially fun to work with out overdubs!
T
telecasterrok
New member
Oh, and there were no baffles used... I'm thinking about making some, though.
famous beagle
Well-known member
So what was your role in this? Just the recording engineer? Or are you playing an instrument too?
Since I'm a singer/songwriter, I always assume others as the singer/songwriter when I hear songs posted. I guess I really shouldn't, but it's kind of an automatic assumption unless something is said in the beginning to counter that.
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telecasterrok
New member
I played the... errr... slightly out of tune lap steel. In my defense, it was about 4am and the beer floweth. 
The singer and electric guitar player have a little band going on, but the drummer, bass player, and myself were just improvising, as we've never played the tunes before.
The singer and electric guitar player have a little band going on, but the drummer, bass player, and myself were just improvising, as we've never played the tunes before.
S
Sonarcade
Member
both tracks are incredible! I guess you don't have to be actively adjusting levels and pan to get a perfect mix. I think I may be a bit biased since I see the recording process ancillary to the musicality of a recording -- and these tracks have a whole lotta musicality to it. So spot on!
cjacek
Analogue Enthusiast
Got to listen to the tracks again with my good cans, the Sony MDR-7506's and once again I'm in awe! The recordings are full bodied, crisp (dare I say organic), complete with great performances [oh man that vocal on losing game, wow!!]. Should anyone ask what can be accomplished on the 1/4", 8 track, 7 1/2ips, Tascam 388, I'll point 'em to them tracks.
Wait, hold on, gotta give 'em another spin.... 
Wait, hold on, gotta give 'em another spin....
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cjacek
Analogue Enthusiast
Hey telecasterrok, was going through some of your earlier posts.. Did you actually follow through with having the 388 heads lapped and the machine serviced or .. ?
ALSO: What tape are you using?
ALSO: What tape are you using?
Z
zorf
New member
You know....
In a way, this is like a live to stereo 1/4 inch recording.
If the tracks were recorded one at a time, i'll bet it would sound smaller.
In a way, this is like a live to stereo 1/4 inch recording.
If the tracks were recorded one at a time, i'll bet it would sound smaller.
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telecasterrok
New member
Thanks cjacek!
I can't remember which tape I used... but it's that standard stuff that was recommended around here when I purchased my 388.
I haven't had a chance (or the cash) to send my heads to get relapped, but I hope to be able to do that soon.
I did a recording today in the same room... with a female singer songwriter. I also used different mics (I only have a 421 and have to borrow the rest) and wasn't quite as happy with the results. I was using an AT4033 and it sounded a little dull and honky on her voice. Nonetheless, If I get a decent sounding mix I'll post it up.
Cheers!
I can't remember which tape I used... but it's that standard stuff that was recommended around here when I purchased my 388.
I haven't had a chance (or the cash) to send my heads to get relapped, but I hope to be able to do that soon.
I did a recording today in the same room... with a female singer songwriter. I also used different mics (I only have a 421 and have to borrow the rest) and wasn't quite as happy with the results. I was using an AT4033 and it sounded a little dull and honky on her voice. Nonetheless, If I get a decent sounding mix I'll post it up.
Cheers!
cjacek
Analogue Enthusiast
That was probably RMGI LPR35.
I'm actually pleasantly surprised that you were able to milk out the sonics that you did from obviously worn heads, which I would have thought not possible. It's amazing how analogue can still sound so good, even when not in the best of condition. Again, good stuff all around.
--
G
Granada
New member
I will chime in with my praises as well.
I love with all this gear that we talk about on these boards the bottom line and finale question is
"does it sound good"
And it does. Sounds great.
I have a 388 I am trying to sell and i don't know if I should. I might as well hold on to it.
Great job
I love with all this gear that we talk about on these boards the bottom line and finale question is
"does it sound good"
And it does. Sounds great.
I have a 388 I am trying to sell and i don't know if I should. I might as well hold on to it.
Great job
T
telecasterrok
New member
thanks guys! I applied a little top end eq to all of the tracks on the way end... i figured that since I was using the dbx ( and the heads were worn) that it would help. Listening back today.. I'm still happy with results!
H
HomeGos
New member
Like it!
Hey nice take!
so everything was recorded in one take? May I sound dumb now but Musicians playing all together in the same room ?
Sounds so nice and live
thats what I want to do with my 388, as soon as it gets fixed ; )
( and forget about all my nightmares with plugins )
Hey nice take!
so everything was recorded in one take? May I sound dumb now but Musicians playing all together in the same room ?
Sounds so nice and live
thats what I want to do with my 388, as soon as it gets fixed ; )
( and forget about all my nightmares with plugins )
cjacek
Analogue Enthusiast
Great tip. Good call on the EQ.
T
tsqair
New member
great vibe tele!
T
telecasterrok
New member
Hey HomeGos -
Indeed, all the musicians were in the same room playing. Actually, I put my amp (lap steel) in the kitchen because I was pretty close to the singer and didn't want to overwhelm the vocal mic. Only myself and the singer were wearing headphones.. the rest of the musicians were playing off each other, naturally. I love keeping overdubs to a minimum... everyone knows they're playing for keeps, and i love all of the little mistakes and nuances that result.
The consensus on most forums (other than this one) is that going with an analog recorder is a bad move: costly, low quality, etc., but my experience has been proved different. One of the coolest things about the 388 (for those coming from DAW land) is how quickly one can work with it. I spend time while setting up, making sure the mics are capturing the source well, making sure that the mix and image is the way I want it to be, and then let the tape roll. When mixing time comes it's pretty easy... no need to massage sounds endlessly with plugins, cause it already sounds great. The monitor section is awesome, and working with the 388, and it's limitations, feels like learning to play a new instrument.
Indeed, all the musicians were in the same room playing. Actually, I put my amp (lap steel) in the kitchen because I was pretty close to the singer and didn't want to overwhelm the vocal mic. Only myself and the singer were wearing headphones.. the rest of the musicians were playing off each other, naturally. I love keeping overdubs to a minimum... everyone knows they're playing for keeps, and i love all of the little mistakes and nuances that result.
The consensus on most forums (other than this one) is that going with an analog recorder is a bad move: costly, low quality, etc., but my experience has been proved different. One of the coolest things about the 388 (for those coming from DAW land) is how quickly one can work with it. I spend time while setting up, making sure the mics are capturing the source well, making sure that the mix and image is the way I want it to be, and then let the tape roll. When mixing time comes it's pretty easy... no need to massage sounds endlessly with plugins, cause it already sounds great. The monitor section is awesome, and working with the 388, and it's limitations, feels like learning to play a new instrument.
T
Tom_B
New member
Holy crap! That sounds great. I've been using a 488 for years... I've been trying to go digital for a while now, but I've been afraid of making crisp lifeless recordings (I know I'm not skilled enough to get organic, etc., tones from digital, yet). Not to mention the financial investment. The 488 sucks for a lot of reasons, but it never ever sounds sterile.... now you got me wanting a 388 bad bad bad.
mastercontrolme
New member
I like it, sounds great. Well balanced. Great performance too!