Hey, simple, intuitive tape based studio at home ? is it worth and how ?

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*ADRIANA*

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hey, I had the idea of a personal analog studio at home, only for personal, solitude, training, composing.
And I have a 2 track with dolby A.

It should simple, intuitive, comfortable.

I prefer real faders and knobs, but not too much gear at home in my 1-room apartment.

What do I need expect the tape machine ? how much will be the cost ?
Does it takes much time to get into this?

Is it worth getting into analog if you do not feel you are an recording engineer ? and does it make a difference in sound quality ?
 
*ADRIANA* said:
And I have a 2 track with dolby A.
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Ooooh, I wanna see it! Got any pics? :D

*ADRIANA* said:
What do I need expect the tape machine ? how much will be the cost ?
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A mixer and a pair of active monitors at minimum. You could use a regular stereo for monitoring if you're not concerned about getting professional results.

You will likely need an equalizer to prevent instruments from masking each other in the mix. Or the mixer's onboard eq may suit you just fine.

*ADRIANA* said:
Does it takes much time to get into this?
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Not sure what you mean. You can get started as soon as you acquire the basic gear.

*ADRIANA* said:
Is it worth getting into analog if you do not feel you are an recording engineer ? and does it make a difference in sound quality ?
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That is very much subjective and has been a topic of endless debate. There are quite a few threads about it here.
 
Regarding monitors, I usually use a good pair of headphones myself, since otherwise you have problems where the resonance of the room will affect the sound of the speakers. Headphones give you a clearer idea of hiss, but you do get a distorted impression of the bass. Hence I tend to run a mix through my old Aiwa stereo speakers just to check it.

I also have someone else master the albums to check and make sure that the frequency response is standardised.

http://dougtheeagle.com/lab/lab2004.jpg
...this was basically my entire setup as of 2004 - that includes the synthesizers and other stuff in the rack on the left. Note that the leftmost mixer is for the keyboards, if you're going to be recording from softsynths or guitar or something you probably won't need that. With a floor-standing rack setup big enough to take both decks, I could probably have reduced its footprint considerably.

If space is an absolute premium, consider the TASCAM 688 or 488, which is an 8-track cassette portastudio.
 
Go for it!

Analog is fun and the sound you'll get i always quite unique since the many affecting factors. Personally i think it adds a bit of artistry in the recording procedure.

If I were to start from scratch, I would probably, start with something like a teac 3340, a simple condenser mic a, decent preamp, active near field speakers, a cheap small mixer.

When it was time for more channels I would look for more professional formats and skip the semi-professional equipment.
 
thank you for the tips for the Tascam and TEAC, I will look for it but at this point will need a mixer.

Not sure what you mean. You can get started as soon as you acquire the basic gear.
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I mean that recording engineering seems like a whole universe and for myself I don't want to spend too much time with equipment but concentrate on the music.

In detail the tape machine is a 2-track AMPEX ATR 102 1/4". It is a monster machine and takes space...

When you finally learned to work with it, will it take any further time or be trouble free ?
 
*ADRIANA* said:
In detail the tape machine is a 2-track AMPEX ATR 102 1/4". It is a monster machine and takes space...

When you finally learned to work with it, will it take any further time or be trouble free ?
Click to expand...

Reel-to-reel recorders are pretty high-maintenance machines, actually. But once you get it fixed up and calibrated, the regular maintenance is fairly simple. Cleaning the heads and other parts that contact the tape every so often, occasionally oiling a few moving parts, and demagnetizing the heads are simple tasks that only take a few minutes.
 
Are you sure it's a 1/4" deck? All the ones I've seen are 1/2" decks.
 
yes, I'm sure it is 1/4", I already got some 1/4" tape. It came with a remote control, stand and manuals.

He told me it is very fine equipment.

The only problem is that this is probably not something for a young apartment changing lifestyle.
 
It is a very fine machine. And yes, it will be a pain to move. You will be able to make beautiful recordings with it though. :D
 
Are you in the Uk? Sounds like you want a portastudio, as has been said.
 
I'm really confused now. Mating an ATR102 with a portastudio is practically blasphemous, and it's a far larger machine than I'd have expected in a single-room apartment. How big is this room anyway?
 
An ATR-102?? Holy smokes, that's a proper, hairy-chested pro machine. It's too big for your place, you'd better send it to me :D ;)

I'm a little confused as to whether you're intending to make this your main recorder or if you're interested in adding another multitrack--say an 8-track machine--to the fold or if you're satisfied with the 2-track. If the former, there are definitely options for you. If the latter, what is your plan once your tracks are recorded--or are you intending to record everything as a live mix and make the 2-track machine your live mixdown machine?
 
I am not sure at the moment, for the start I would probably do a mix of digital (multitrack with the mac) + analog 2-track and live to 2-track.

Even if it fits a high end studio better, my room is small, but perhaps I should appreciate this and give it a try.
 
Oh by all means, give it a shot. That's one of the "great analog machines," learn how to keep it calibrated and make awesome music on it. I'm jealous!
 
Analog is an elegant luxury these days. You won't become a better engineer using tape. You will become a better performer though since the editing is very limited compared to digital. If you're going reel to reel its pricey too tape ain't cheap. But tape is great just plan carefully and make sure your chops are on the money when you roll tape.
 
I live in an apartment and have to be semi mobile. I have a Sony 777 2 track a little mixer and a RNC compressor. Works great for getting ideas down and if I spend a little time setting up stuff right I am able to get some pretty good recordings. Your machine is a little big but if you have a space for it there shouldn't been anything holding you up.

As far as maintenance don't be afraid. I have a han-d-mag which I use once in a long while and some tape head cleaner which I use anytime I sit down to record. There isn't too much more you are going to need to do for simple recordings unless your machine needs to be calibrated and stuff. An amped is a pretty nice r2r and if it works now should be good for a long while. I take mine in to the Inner sound here in Portland if I have any issues with my machine but honestly I haven't had any issues.

Bottom line, if you have a good machine in good condition, analog is much more intuitive on the music creation side than most alternatives and with a little practice you should have no issues getting results you are happy with. Go for it, I think you will be surprised at how easy it will be after you get familiar with the machine. Make sure to stay away from used tape, it can be a real hassle.
 
Yeah, multitracking and editing digitally and then mixing to tape is a fairly common thing to do. In case it's not obvious, I suspect most people here are jealous over the ATR :P
 
I know a youtube video that will tell you EVERYTHING you need to know about operating that machine...heheh...jk...anybody know what I'm talking about?

But seriously, put me on the list of the jealous. That is a fine machine. Take good care of it, and by all means if you can fit it in your space have some fun with it. It will indeed make very nice recordings.
 
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