M
Muckelroy
Member
Random tip I learned today-
Because of the nature of magnetic tape, the closer you get to 0dB while recording, the more the high end rolls off, and the more the low-end gets emphasized.
With a properly aligned deck, this effect starts to become audible at about minus 7 or 8dB on the meters.
So, for instruments that consist of nothing but sibilant high end (tamborines, hi-hats, wind chimes, what-have-you etc.) try not to let it peak over -10dB while tracking. That'll keep the tape coloration at a minimum, to avoid a "honky" sounding artifact, in instruments that aren't supposed to sound "honky" or warm.
There may be extra noise, but who says you have to slam the tape every time?
Because of the nature of magnetic tape, the closer you get to 0dB while recording, the more the high end rolls off, and the more the low-end gets emphasized.
With a properly aligned deck, this effect starts to become audible at about minus 7 or 8dB on the meters.
So, for instruments that consist of nothing but sibilant high end (tamborines, hi-hats, wind chimes, what-have-you etc.) try not to let it peak over -10dB while tracking. That'll keep the tape coloration at a minimum, to avoid a "honky" sounding artifact, in instruments that aren't supposed to sound "honky" or warm.
There may be extra noise, but who says you have to slam the tape every time?
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