Joining the club - thanks for helping

[leddy]

Without this forum, I don't think I could have pulled together the information to start spending money on tape gear. Thanks.

I just won an auction for a Tascam 22-2. I'm not a total noob to tape, but my experience is limited to cassette 4-tracks (my first was a Fostex X-15 purchased over 20 years ago) and the handful of times I recorded (as a musician, not an engineer) in good studios.

What put me over the edge was listening to a 15-year-old recording with a band I did in college at a studio that was recorded on a modest 1" 16-track format. It was mixed quickly and never mastered. It is utterly gorgeous. Even some of the cassette projects I did - while not as hi-fi as my digital recordings, they are easier to listen to in many ways.

I record live jazz, and unless I can get my hands on a little Nagra or something, I think I'll still use my digital gear for tracking, then mix to tape at home. At least I'm getting out of the box. It's a start.

So thanks again - I look forward to getting more involved here as I learn.

 

[Somnium7]

(my first was a Fostex X-15 purchased over 20 years ago)

Same for me. It was cool little sucker too. I used to crank the tape speed up with the pitch control to try and get better recordings

That machine really liked those old Sony Cro2 tapes in the white ceramic shell. Sounded pretty damn good compared to other cassette brands back in the day.

 

[Dr ZEE]

Sounds GREAT!

...they are easier to listen in many ways

Considering that the purpose of a musical recording is LISTENING (and enjoying doing so with ease) - this would simply mean, that they are better recordings - , oh, - in many ways so!

... getting out of the box.

Good move.

********

oh, one more thing:

-

It was ... never mastered

- When Nature rules, who needs a Master?

 

[Beck]

The 22-2 is a good choice... I have two of them (one slightly modded). If the 15 ips speed is too clean, try 7.5 ips. That's what I use to take the edge off new CDs.

1 mil tape is recommended... any of the following will work well with the 22-2.

Quantegy
407
457
3M/Scotch
207
RMGI (BASF/EMTEC)
LPR35
Maxell
XLI 35-90B

 

[leddy]

The 22-2 is a good choice... I have two of them (one slightly modded). If the 15 ips speed is too clean, try 7.5 ips. That's what I use to take the edge off new CDs.

1 mil tape is recommended... any of the following will work well with the 22-2.

Quantegy
407
457
3M/Scotch
207
RMGI (BASF/EMTEC)
LPR35
Maxell
XLI 35-90B

Thanks, I spent a few hours reading through the threads and links on tape info. I ordered a few reels of LPR35. I have a manual on the way, and I even found a local guy who services them. I consider myself handy with tools and eager to learn. Learning how to take care of my machine will be a welcome challenge, but knowing help is nearby is cool too...

Thanks for the tip on the slower speed. I will give it a try. The 22-2 should be here Friday. I hope the tape and manual get here by then.