Basic Analog Recording Set Up Help!

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Heimcomputer

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I'm just trying to understand the basics. I have a two channel reel to reel recorder and I'm planning on getting a 4 track reel to reel and a mixing board.
So is this how it will work (or am I completly off)?
I plug my instrument into the input on the mixer and my reel to reel into the output on the mixer. So the sound runs from my instrument, through the mixer, and out the output and records onto track 1 on the 4-track reel to reel. Then I do this with the other 3 channels. Basically, is this how it works or am I completly wrong?
But then how do i get those recordings back into the mixer and onto my two channel recorder (my master recorder)?

I'm very confused about this....its actually very hard to get information about something this basic. Most websites skip the basic stuff (and I'm only 16 so I didn't grow up with this stuff)! I'm buying books so I can understand more, but they will take a while to ship and its really bothering me that I can't understand this!!
It would be really great if someone could just clear this up for me!
 
You'll get more useful action here as there is a dedicated section to analog set ups.
 
What kind of 4 track are you getting? 4 tracks two one each side of the tape or a tascam type 4 track ie 4 on one side because it makes a differance.
If its the first type you will still only get two tracks to record back into your (master) machine.
Heres what i would do.
Record your tracks as you said mixer output plugged into the back of the tracking deck (not the mic inputs) aux in.
TO master record, Rewind tape hook the tracking deck upto the mixers inputs and the master deck to the mixers outputs (as before not mic inputs) and record back to master deck.
Only trouble is syncing up new recordings with those on the master deck.
How many tracks do you intend to track seperately?
What decks do you have?
 
Thanks that makes sense. I have the first kind (that I can only record on two tracks) and I'm using that one as my master recorder (someone else said that would work fine)-- its a Panasonic rs755s-- and I'm planning on getting a Tascam type 4 track for the multitrack reel to reel.
I'll probably only be recording 4 or many one or two more.
So how would I sync the new recordings with those on the master deck?
 
There in lies the problem syncing the two. if your planning to do overdubs if thats even possible.
If your getting a tascam 4 track type (four in) Are you just planning on using the two track as a mastering machine?
and by the way while i think about it i dont think you need to hook up the mixer between the recorder deck and the master deck because (and this depends on the deck) You should get a line signal coming out of the recorder and that should be fine to just plug straight into the master decks aux/line in for recording.
It all depends on your decks.
I'd probably start a new thread in the analogue section where the real experts hang out because i'm a newbie too when it comes to analogue.
Hope you find great joy in the decks. I know i have.
What tape are you planning on using?
 
Thanks for your help! I'll go post a thread in the analogue section.
Yea I was planning on using the two track as the master and i bought some Scotch 5" tape for it.
 
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