Monitoring tape compression

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walters

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When im listening to my track or tracks being recorded onto tape from the output i don't hear the compression of the tape why is that?

I want to be able to hear the compression of the tape as im monitoring the output while im recording at the same time how can i do this please?
 
Usable tape compression only takes place when you're using an open reel deck that's running without noise reduction and you're driving the tape at levels that would have the meters pegged.

The whole idea behind this is to record at levels where the tape is running out of room to store anything louder then it's maximum output level (or, MOL for short, ) and it is at that point where the limit is reached that the tape compression effect starts to take place.

Using noise reduction devices like dbx prevent the signal from getting to that point on the tape and then processing distortion is all that gets captured and that's not the effect we're looking for here as that kind of result is high in IM distortion which is not pretty or musical sounding, unlike harmonic distortion which is.

It's also impossible to monitor off the play head and overdub at the same time as everything is going to get messed up from the time delay between the sync and the repro head. You can only hear this effect after the fact while overdubbing.

If all you own is cassette recording equipment, don't even bother with trying to achieve this effect because you'll induce electronic ugly distortion before the tape reaches its MOL happy point where it self compresses.

Cheers! :)
 
walters said:
...i don't hear the compression of the tape why is that?
Click to expand...
Because the tape does not make any noise under pressure, it is being compressed silently.
If you really want to hear it, consider coating your tape with cracking bubbles layer. Search the net for keyword "crack". Good luck.
 

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Thanks for the help

It's also impossible to monitor off the play head and overdub at the same time as everything is going to get messed up from the time delay between the sync and the repro head. You can only hear this effect after the fact while overdubbing.


I think my heads are "Stacked" the erasehead,record head,playback head,repro head,sync head are stacked

Because when im monitoring from the headphones or speakers or on the line outputs i don't hear the tape recorded sound compression its just direct dry signals why is that?
 
walters said:
I think my heads are "Stacked" the erasehead,record head,playback head,repro head,sync head are stacked ... why is that?
Click to expand...
That's a special design so that you can record play, overdub, monitor and then erase your effort all at the same time.

The CIA uses the same setup.

Cheers! :)
 
How can i monitor the compression the best way?

Because the line outputs after the record head i can't hear the tape compression sound its just dry line level signal im not hearing the tape sound its just subtle effect im trying to hear in my line outputs,headphones,monitor speakers when im recording onto tape i can hear it the tape recorded sound compression while im recording it coming out of my line outputs with no delay at all how can i do this please?
 
I'm trying to monitor out of the line output in REAL TIME with no delay time so i can hear what im recording onto tape as its being recorded as the monitor line outs would have to be after the playback head i want to monitor the recorded audio on tape in REAL TIME how ?
 
All right, Zee and Ghost, fess up! One of you is also walters, right? Gotta give you credit, that's funny stuff! Now why did it take me so long to figure out that it was all a gag?

Otto
 
I'm just hearing dry signal NOT recorded from my monitor line outputs i think they don't monitor the playback head but the record head so u don't hear that compression in real time right?
 
walters said:
I'm just hearing dry signal NOT recorded from my monitor line outputs i think they don't monitor the playback head but the record head so u don't hear that compression in real time right?
Click to expand...
What recording device do you have there?

It sounds like it's a two head deck and if that is the case, you can not monitor the actual tape as you're recording because you don't have a third, dedicated playback head to listen to. :rolleyes:

You mentioned a couple of Portastudio devices in another thread, yes?

Cheers! :)
 
ofajen said:
All right, Zee and Ghost, fess up! One of you is also walters, right? Gotta give you credit, that's funny stuff! Now why did it take me so long to figure out that it was all a gag?

Otto
Click to expand...
On my mother's grave, it ain't me! :D

I don't have time for that shit. ;)

Cheers! :)
 
thanks for the help

Tascam Portastudio 488mkII

The heads are stacked the playback and record head and erase head i think so how can their be a 3rd dedicated head for this?

It sounds like it's a two head deck and if that is the case, you can not monitor the actual tape as you're recording because you don't have a third, dedicated playback head to listen to

So i would have to have two playback heads? and one record head?




But can this be done using Stacked heads VS indidivual mono heads spaced out? which would be better for this

The echoplex has individual mono heads spaced out uses 1/4 tape its not stacked heads like a recorder. I think the echoplex lets u "Monitor" the actual tape being recorded after the playback head right without any time delay?
 
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