Analog vs Digital vs DAW

  • Thread starter Thread starter Flames
  • Start date Start date
Analog console
Digital Multitracker
Software editing (and mixing)

Yeah baby!
 
I basically surf Ebay, search on 'pro audio:multitracks' to get the big picture.

Otherwise, I normally search "Tascam" & "Fostex".

I'm sure there are audio sites dedicated to analog & reels, but I only know of a few. The rest is up to you.

http://www.tapeop.com/

http://www.multitrack.com/

http://www.reel2reel.info

http://www.audiovillage.org/gear.html

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/reeltoreel/

http://recordist.com/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/4-Trak_Newbies/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/audio_recording_workshop/


Some of these links are subscriber chat boards.

There's another post in the Analog forum, that's called "Analog Resources", posted by one of our members, quite a while back. Search the HRcom/Analog forum for that. There are more links there.
 
Thanks, Reel Person. I get TapeOp mag, love it. It is so refreshing.
 
I've read through this post, and I'm still not quite sure what your point is Flames? I read the SOS article and it was talking about investing in your environment as well as your gear - no mention of analog vs. digital. Are you basically saying that for you, analog gear is all part of the environment that you create?

I definitely think a mixture of digital and analog is the way to go for me. I started out recording on 4-tracks when I was 15, and then went digital on my PC when I was 18. I'm now 22, and have been investing in my set-up every year since. I'm happy with the quality of my recordings at the moment. I think the weak link before a major step up in gear quality is just my own recording/mixing skills! I would never go back to recording to tape - analog warmth or not. I can understand how people might like that, especialy if that's what they grew up with, but for me, digital was what I've used for longer in my recording life so far. But having said that I want some "physical" elements to my studio. I'm sure the next investment I make will be some kind of midi mixing desk. There is something about having real faders that adds to your environment and I would say it would inspire me more when mixing compared to a mouse drag on the screen.

When I think of my dream set-up (I'm talking about what I will be able to achieve) I want my own home studio with a big mixing desk, isolation booth etc... Something that looks like a "real" recording studio. That to me would be inspiring. However, at the centre of that would be a DAW. For me, analog gear would not add anything to my inspiring studio, and would take away the ease of use I take for granted now on my DAW. An analog set-up is not what I dream of. I've grown up with computers, and I find them more inspiring to work with.
 
One other thing. Flames, you said that "My experience is that recording to computerbased systems make you end up having tons of less than half made projects, this is also one of the reasons I bought my Tascam 38."

I do have loads of half finished projects on my computer based system. But then I did on my 4-track too. For me, this has nothing to do with my equipment. If I went back to a Tascam now it would be just the same. This is down to the fact that I record my tracks on my own so it takes a lot of effort and inspiration to record all the parts yourself individually. When I had my 4-track I was in a band so I got whole tracks done easily. We'd practice out songs together for playing live, so recorded the tracks was just a case of everyone recording their own parts onto tape. If I was in a band now or recording other people's bands with my computer-based system then i'd have no problems getting tracks done. It would just be quicker and easier. Yes, having a DAW means you have more scope for mucking around and experimenting but if you're trying to get a track done and finished then you'll get it done whether you're on analog or digital.
 
studiosonic said:
I've read through this post, and I'm still not quite sure what your point is Flames

Flames: "do you get more creative vibes when useing "non PC/screen related" recording techniques.

I think his implicit point was that he noticed a lack of creativity or inspiration when using virtual recording techniques.
 
Gee, I don't know where to start!!!

I'm sure the next investment I make will be some kind of midi mixing desk. There is something about having real faders that adds to your environment and I would say it would inspire me more when mixing compared to a mouse drag on the screen.

This is exactly my thoughts, allthough I don't belive a midi mixingdesk would not do the trick for me.

This thread was not really about analog vs digital, the headline, Software vs Hardware, seems more suitible for my intentions.

When I was recording with my Tascam 38, I was experience more joy, therefore more inspiering and a similare feeling like the quote above.

When I start thinking about how much money I've spent on my computor and everything there is to it, I thought, damn, for that money I could have bought me a suitable mixingdesk and a multitrack deck. But on the other hand, since I'm using GigaStudio, I have a collection of instruments of satisfying quallity, and to match that in hardware, will cost me to much.

I would too have a home recording situation that looks like a real studio and not that Virituell Studio Technologi crapp.
A harddrive multitrack recorder would probably be the best bet for the convenience factor. I know that a r2r recorder can be a messy experiece allthough I haven't run into it (yet). A r2r recorder can't get a blue screen, but it can break, need alignment or mess with you in other ways. But then again, the sound of analog is still somthing I must have.

That about "having tons of halfmade projects" dosn't have to be a bad thing. You could just store a lot of ideas and go back to them later.
But on the other hand, this way of working is not getting me going, but probably it's just me.

By the way. Ecs 113, try tascams analog equipment forum at: www.tascam.com/forums/index.php

Another thing, the other day I was playing acoustic guitar in the "atmospheric" livingroom, and I just realised how good I was playing and with that special energy. There is no way I can acomplish that in my small bedroom together with my noicy PC.
 
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