Nearfield to Tape distance

  • Thread starter Thread starter darwin
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darwin

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I am thinking about getting an analog tape recorder. What distance do you guys have between your tape recorders and your monitors? Has anybody experimented to see how close they can get before bad things happen? I have Mackie HR824s if that helps.

Thanks
 
Don't set tapes on the speaker box:D I know the magnetic field must extend at least 6", cause I have video monitor next to my audio monitors. I have two sets of audio monitors. The big ones are are not as bad as the little ones The little ones are Realistic Minimus 7's for my video/audio. They REALLY have an effect on the video monitors. So I assume they would wreak havoc on tapes within 6"-10" but I'm no expert.
fitz.
PS, my big tape machines are at least 5' from the monitors. My cassette machines are about 2' away. I've never had a problem with that. I was wondering what they do, if anything, to the signal in -10 lines or mic lines. Hence the thread before yours.
BTW, congrats on thinking about analog. Theres no argument here between digital and analog. Its been beat to death. So all I can add is its FUN!
 
My deck's supply reel is about ten inches from the tweeter in my right monitor. I would worry more if it was the woofer that was that close. The monitors are in heavy cabinets and if I remember correctly, magnetism decreases as a square of the distance. I'm not sure about that one, but I think it goes something like that.

I'd like to move the tape machine to another location, but there just isn't anywhere else to put it with the way my room is set up for monitoring.
 
Hello Sennheiser:) mind telling me what kind of monitors you are using. I'm going to sell my Zero's and get something else. I thought about those NS-10's that I think yamaha makes..is that correct? I see them everywhere, although I still hear people say they don't like them. HMMMMMMM...people are sure different, huh?
 
You'd never believe it. Don't laugh.

A pair of Optimus LX-7's. I have another pair upstairs working as the mains on my home theatre system.

These monitors (speakers) translate to every boombox, home stereo, and auto stereo I've ever played a mix on mixed through these. I have never heard any goss variations of highs, mids, or lows, mixed using these monitors. I know it's hard to believe, but you've heard my mixes from these monitors on NWR.com.

The spec sheet that came with these monitors came with an unbelievable flat response from around 32Hz up to 18.5Khz. The response is from 27Hz to 22Khz. I worked for RatShack for five years as a store manager many years ago. I have never seen a response sheet included with any pair of speakers they sold during my tenure except these. I'd really like to know who made these for RS.

You wouldn't expect this from a 7.5" driver/tweeter combination from RatShack. These are two-way monitors. The tweeter is a Ferro Fluid-cooled design of their own of what type I cannot remember right now. (I'm under the influence). It's a really strange looking tweeter. It's a retangular housing, or mount, with what looks like two flexible polymer sheets that are attached to the left and right sides of the housing and curved out and then in like a parabola towards the center where I guess they are attached in the center of the tweeter by some means. I haven't a clue as to how they function electrically.

But they do sound flat and translate well. I have to engage the EQ when I'm just listening to regular tapes or CD's. That's how accurate they are. It's RadioShack's only product that I brag about. The rest is either overpriced or not worth a shit.

These were originally $279.99 each. I put four back when I received the discontinued notice. I held them for almost a year and the price finally bottomed at 49.99 each. That's when I brought them home. I've been mixing on them for over five years and I wouldn't trade 'em for anything.

Sorry for the long post. I get a little winded on Jagermeister.
 
Sorry for the long post. I get a little winded on Jagermeister.
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Hahahahahaha! Hey, your talking to the windmaster!:D Actually I like it when some one says more than 1 sentence. The forums are a little bleak with statements.
As to the monitors, I read an article 2 yrs ago telling about these, by some engineer whom I don't remember. I saw a set at a yard sell and thought I would try them. Got them for $2. Not bad huh!(I hated to mention these cause I thought I would get laughed right off the forum:rolleyes:) Anyway, now I understand why they sound the way they do. Thanks for telling me about these. Normally, I use these for my second playback system and my tv(yes....I'm guilty, I watch TV in my studio) but now I'll try them as regular monitors.:eek:
fitz
 
Anyway, now I understand why they sound the way they do.
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I wish I did. RatShack is not known for outstanding speakers, but I guess even a blind dog finds a bone now and then. RatShack is known for high prices and average home stereo components.

I guess they were discontinued because no one would buy them at that price and give them a chance. I bought them over five years ago because I couldn't afford to buy any better speakers and had originally planned to use them only on my home theatre system. When I decided to put together another small four-track set-up back then, two of them got pressed into service as monitors and I've been using them ever since.

They sound very nice using the eight-track. I love 'em. If you can find that article or give me a lead on it's whereabouts, I'd love to read it.
 
Yes, Rick, I saw your post before I posted. It was one of the few that came up when I searched the BBS on this subject. I don't have a tape machine yet, and I am running out of room in the control room. So, I was doing a little pre-purchase room coordination.

Anyways, I think I am going to get a Tascam 38-8. I still like the ease of editing in digital (and I don't mind troubleshooting a PC - I am sick), but I like the tape compression sound especially for loud rock. I read on a different site about a digital-analog hybrid solution where the daw records off of the repro head while tracking. It seemed pretty interesting, so I thought it was worth a shot.
 
It's a great starter machine for an introduction to large-format recording. You'll learn a lot about how they work. They're old, but they still sound good and most still have a few years of life left in them if they've been taken care of. A big step up from Porta's.
There are some minor quirks that some have like relays sticing and channel cards loose in their sockets and reel table height adjustments, but most are easy to repair yourself. Get yourself an alignment tape too.

Once you get one and use it awhile, you'll want a bigger one. I know I already do.

I know nothing about the digital/analog hybrid set-up.
 
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