Will playing a dbx-encoded tape backwards cause decoding errors?

  • Thread starter Thread starter lo.fi.love
  • Start date Start date
lo.fi.love

lo.fi.love

Functionally obsessed.
Hey folks,

I've been wondering about this for a while. Empirical data suggests that there are little or no negative effects, but I'd like to know if anyone has a definitive answer on this.

Thanks!!
Jeff
 
I have done this a number of times with my 38 and DBX 150 and have had no problems.
 
lo.fi.love said:
Hey folks,

I've been wondering about this for a while. Empirical data suggests that there are little or no negative effects, but I'd like to know if anyone has a definitive answer on this.

Thanks!!
Jeff
Click to expand...

There will be slight dynamic errors as your peaks will be reversed but overall, it should be acceptable.

I actually used to do quite a bit of that when I had my 244 Portastudio as it was a great way of adding pre-echo and reverb effects to tape while bouncing to another track.

Cheers! :)
 
I've done it on two songs on my MSR-16 with DBX engaged and never had any issues.

www.soundclick.com/ex-nightstalker

On "Can't Sleep" there are some subtle backwards drums at 3:15~3:20.

I did another song that used the effect a bit more, if you want I'll dig it out and post it.

-MD
 
that's an interesting question - I'm sure most of us here have done it and never even thought about it = would be interesting though to play the tape backward on to the computer and reverse it with DAW, put them side by side and listen for any differences, you could look at the spectrum analysis just for kicks as well - let us know if anyone does anything like this....

here's to experiments!:drunk:
(hey what're all these new smileys doing here?!!)
 
lo.fi.love said:
Hey folks,

I've been wondering about this for a while. Empirical data suggests that there are little or no negative effects, but I'd like to know if anyone has a definitive answer on this.

Thanks!!
Jeff
Click to expand...

You won't hear any difference. Time was that many studios would dub backwards. The thinking was it made the 2nd generation transients more accurate because it was asking less of both playback & recording units in that regard.
 
I've never done it but it would depend on whether the attack and release parameters are the same or not. Usually in a compresser/limiter the attack is faster than the release.

But since dbx wasnt meant to be used as a normal single ended compresser maybe the attack and release times were designed the same, in which case I guess there'd be no problem reversing it.

The overall ratio of 2:1 would still apply in reverse but the attack and release parameters would also have to be identical to each other.
 
Tim Gillett said:
I've never done it but it would depend on whether the attack and release parameters are the same or not. Usually in a compresser/limiter the attack is faster than the release.

But since dbx wasnt meant to be used as a normal single ended compresser maybe the attack and release times were designed the same, in which case I guess there'd be no problem reversing it.

The overall ratio of 2:1 would still apply in reverse but the attack and release parameters would also have to be identical to each other.
Click to expand...

I've done it. The dbx doesn't care.
 
Hey man, this is the analog forum. Decoding "errors" doesn't belong here.:p Try the PC or digital music forum.:D

Well, I guess that is true unless there is human error.:o
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top