Getting That "Tape" Sound Out of Digital?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robertt8
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Robertt8

Robertt8

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Is there a way to get that nice TAPE sound on DIGITAL recorders? I've been listening to some of my old stuff recorded on tape and it just has a much "silkier" feel to it, and things seem to fit better in the mix without any EQ (ie, the bass doesn't seem to have that "too bottom heavy" sound I get now). Over all, it just have a nicer feel to it.

Is there something that can be done with EQ or something to achieve this?
 
Robertt8 said:
Is there something that can be done with EQ or something to achieve this?
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It's more a matter of compression with slight distortion. Stuff like the Distressor and Fatso are made to give you more of an analog tape sound. There are also plugins that do a similar effect.
 
damn! That stuff is pretty expensive for a little home recorder like myself. I could freaking buy a nice analog system for that!

I've got a compressor...um...is there anyway to maybe set the settings to accomplish this same thing or get near it?
 
To be honest you can't buy any type of nice system for the price of one of those components because a nice system would include them and much more.

What are you recording on? Your best bet for doing it on a budget is probably using plugins. There are some tape simulation plugins available.

What gear are you working with now and what did you do the other recordings on?
 
yeah, i was being slightly facetious saying i could buy a decent system. Those outboard FATSO things were like $2,000+.:rolleyes:

I'm currently using a Roland VS-880EX 8 track digital recorder. I was using just a medium priced Fostex 4 track on to cassette tapes. I just kinda liked that overall sound more from that...oddly enough.
 
It's not that odd. I tried for years to get guitar to sound as good on HD as my old 4 track tapes....I gave up.

I am now wiring a 16track analog studio into my current setup.
 
could you just use some of your old analog stuff to track the important tracks (bass, maybe some guitars etc.) then move it all into digital?
 
Cubase Sx has an analog tape simulator...have not used it myself...but i have heard good things
 
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