My second SONG attempt ... TASCAM 34B this time!

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cjacek

cjacek

Analogue Enthusiast
Ok, the first song was posted a short time ago, recorded on the 244, with the "tape dropout" problem. This time I decided to re-do it on my TASCAM 34B. I went all basic and just plugged in my omni ev 635a mic directly into the 1st track of the 34B, positioned it as best as possible (on a boom stand) and recorded a vocal + piano live, no overdubs, no reverb etc ... I was AMAZED at how hard it was to over-drive the amp + tape on the 34B. (I recorded at 15ips). Obviously I went for tape saturation for some natural compression. I did NOT use an outboard comp at all tho, for tracking that is, but did use "post processing" after which included de-essing, comping some more and adding subtle delay. Some of that comping was done with my dbx 118 and the rest on my pc. I wanted the "am radio sound" of an oldies station :) . I'm still a bit new to recording like this but if you're brave enough to DOWNLOAD the file at 5MB then I invite you to listen to this cut ;) . SADLY and SURPRISINGLY, at least to me, the mp3 encoded at 192 bitrate and even the CD I mixed down to does NOT represent the actual sound as played back from the 34B. Yes, a good reel to reel is LOTS better than CD, when it comes to representing the actual sound recorded.

I'm also considering re-tracking the piano (more rhythmic this time) on a seperate track and doing the vocal on another, in a walk-in closet for better isolation and doing some tweaking later on.

Damn, I'm also hearing distortion that wasn't there when I recorded the song. It's possible (likely) that I've distorted when mixing down to cd. Damn digital! :eek:

Daniel :)
 
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Sounds really good, the full, rich sound of analog. (Sounds like Elvis demos again!) ;) That's beautiful! Really well done, and superior sound quality.

Makes me wonder, though, why you wouldn't track the piano & vocal to two separate tracks, or even 3 or 4? Sounds great, as is, but would probably get a boost from discrete tracking of parts.

Further, if you stick with such simple production, & went "all the way" to 1/4"-2-track-stereo, (halftrack), [Tascam 22-2 or 32], then the sound would sound that much BIGGER.

Really sweet, fine sound out of that 34B. There's 4-tracks there, y'know, and with such a solid base of material (and talent), I think a higher utilization of tracks would boost the recording quality to near-pro levels! Higher production techniques would yeild higher production value, and you're off to an EXCELLENT START!

In a way, I feel like I've launched a ship! (Inside reference).

Wow! Man! Wow! ZOW! :cool:
 
A Reel Person said:
Sounds really good, the full, rich sound of analog. (Sounds like Elvis demos again!) ;) That's beautiful! Really well done, and superior sound quality.

Makes me wonder, though, why you wouldn't track the piano & vocal to two separate tracks, or even 3 or 4? Sounds great, as is, but would probably get a boost from discrete tracking of parts.

Further, if you stick with such simple production, & went "all the way" to 1/4"-2-track-stereo, (halftrack), [Tascam 22-2 or 32], then the sound would sound that much BIGGER.

Really sweet, fine sound out of that 34B. There's 4-tracks there, y'know, and with such a solid base of material (and talent), I think a higher utilization of tracks would boost the recording quality to near-pro levels! Higher production techniques would yeild higher production value, and you're off to an EXCELLENT START!

In a way, I feel like I've launched a ship! (Inside reference).

Wow! Man! Wow! ZOW! :cool:
Click to expand...

Yes, Dave, you're responsible for me starting up piano. Period!! I was really amazed with your recordings. Sure they we're "covers" but they were YOURS all the same!! The ANALOG sound and that you did these all by yourself is amazing! I said all along that your recordings, especially those on the reel machines (388, 38 etc) really BREATHED! You've got talent for those instruments and recording! You defintely were (are) the reason I play the piano to accomplany myself for voice, which is just what I wanted anyway. You shared your time and effort to help me and I'm playing. I really appreciate that.

Again, thanks for the compliments on my singing! :) Yes, I might in fact do some "proper" producing this time with some overdubbing and such. Too bad we can't collaborate in "real time" so that we both can do these tracks. Oh well ... can't have everything I guess .... Yeah, re the TASCAM 32 .. I missed a NIB one just a few weeks ago. Still kicking myself for that. :( Anyway, I found that when I did the de-essing, that some hi-fidelity got lost from the recording, and not only the "esses". I also probably over compressed. Damn! Back to the 'ol drawing board I guess ... ;)

Thanks again Dave and please stay in touch!

Daniel
 
Another attempt

Ok, I took the song down and uploaded the actual, unprocessed and "unsweetened" version of the song (ala A REEL PERSON - Dave ;) ) - exactly what was recorded on tape. It's @ 192 bitrate and 5 MB but I think it comes near what is actually on tape. Btw, the recording is surprisingly near "hiss-free" and I have NOT used dbx or any other NR. I think this is wonderful testimonial to the power of the TASCAM 34B and TASCAM's reel to reel recorders in general. It is a shame, actually, that this company, which at one time produced gear which were more like a work of ART, is now selling, among other "toys", the cd vocal trainer or something similar, which is akin to something karaoke stores would carry .. shameful ...

Anyway, you can download the "new" song HERE

Thanks!

Daniel

PS: Those occassional "clicks" and other "artifacts", which you MAY hear, are from my stupid cd recorder and NOT from the tape.
 
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Very nicely done, indeed...

You couldn't put more heart and soul onto that tape, it was saturated.

Reel is right, a piano recorded in stereo will have a bigger sound, not because of the double mic, but the harmonics of the piano will swirl from one mic to the other.

Sweet song, Daniel!
 
DigitalSmigital said:
You couldn't put more heart and soul onto that tape, it was saturated.

Reel is right, a piano recorded in stereo will have a bigger sound, not because of the double mic, but the harmonics of the piano will swirl from one mic to the other.

Sweet song, Daniel!
Click to expand...

Thanks David! Your comments are much appreciated!! :)

Daniel
 
Elvis has just left the building and entered this one!

Wow!

Nice job, Daniel :)

It sounded like you were in my room singing to me in person!...scary! :eek:

Cheers! :)
 
The Ghost of FM said:
Elvis has just left the building and entered this one!

Wow!

Nice job, Daniel :)

It sounded like you were in my room singing to me in person!...scary! :eek:

Cheers! :)
Click to expand...

Thankyouverymuch! :D

~Daniel :)
 
I had the inexplicable urge to go for a Shake, followed by a trip to the Drive In in my T Bird with my best girl, whilst listening to that.

And I don't even have drive :eek:



Nor do I have a "best" girl (nor any girl, for that matter :( ).
 
Cheer up Mark! :)

If you had a best girl, she would no doubt eat into your gear budget. :cool:
 
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