i get silly ideas sometimes

[eeb]

sometimes... especially about half an hour before I go home and i go into slacker mode at work hehehe anyways, i just had this "brilliant" idea of expanding the studio with analogue gear as well... even if it's just for myself.. I've always had a crush on tape and i'd love to get into it.. but i'm only experienced with the digital world.. for a basic analogue set i'd need:
to start
-the reel to reel (capable of at least 8 tracks any suggestions?)
-a large mixing board
-oh and of course i'll need some tap/choards and whatnot

then
-any outboard effects I can get my hands on (compressors, eq's, effects) hehe i should be using that stuff anyway

has anyone here ever done the backwards leap (well not suggesting at all that it's worse) from digital to analogue?

huge learning curve i take it?
lots of money too i'd imagine.

thoughts? suggestions? maybe i'm just retarded.. my setup now is fine..

 

[songwritten]

It's not a backwards leap, really. There are a few things you should know about going analog:
(Some will seam obvious, some not obvious)

1. It is expensive for the reel to reel
2. The tape is expensive and is getting harder to find
3. An analog machine doesn't just magically turn whatever recorded into gold...you can make REALLY shitty recordings using tape just like you can on a computer
4. A nice board to complement a reel to reel would be expensive.
5. If you don't have a good sounding room/instruments to record, then you should spend your money there first. Learn to record with great instruments in a great room....then moving to analog later on will be a smoother transition.

 

[eeb]

yeah.. well the instruments aren't a problem.... the room... well it sorta is.. hopefully if i can get some funding in the form of grants or loans to start up my business (graphics/recording studio) I'll set aside a good chunk of it for acoustic treatment. I don't nerly have enough cash together now to go analogue anyway.. I was just day dreamin a bit hehe

 

[Dani Pace]

I grew up in an analog world, learned to love it, and kind of miss some parts of it. For a nice compromise you might add a good analog mixer to your system without breaking your bank account.
While we are dreaming, I'd like to have a better computer, mixer and software, as well as a few thousand to spend on mics. In the meantime I guess all us dreamers will just have to keep prodding along with what we have, and try to make the most of what we do have.
Keep dreaming, and like me, add a new piece when you can afford it.

 

[Flangerhans]

Analog does not have to be terribly expensive. Just as in digital recording, the higher quality stuff is pricey, but a fine 1/4 track reel machine can be found for under a c-note if you are willing to take a chance on ebay or craigslist. Tape is easily gotten via RMGI, and cost can be controlled by careful rehearsal before printing. Good analog mixers are expensive no matter where you go, but by building your own channel strips, this too can be ameliorated. Your best bet to go analog? Learn all you can about it before purchasing gear, examine anything electronic you buy carefully, and cultivate patience when searching out the things you need. Your reward will be good sound combined with reliability in storage without extra work. Hope this is helpful!

 

[pezking]

I think it's important to be able to maintain the tape-machine yourself. You need to be able to align the heads, and line up the levels with your desk. The machine needs to be kept clean too.

It's also important to consider the noise that a tape machine generates. By this I mean the operational noise (i.e. whizzing tape and motors etc.) not electrical noise. And for this reason I would recommend you have the machine outside your control room, and live room. This may or may not be practical for you, I don't know.