So what should I mix to?

[CMEZ]

I'm doing some booking demos, and for a first time BEHIND the console, it's going very well.

I've got an Allen & Heath System 8 24 channel 8 buss console and a Teac 80-8 1/2" 8 track. I can't tell you how pleased I am with the sound of this combo!

But as I'm winding down on tracking, I have to make some decisions-namely what I should purchase to mix TO. I've got access to DAT's that I can borrow, so it's not super pressing-these are just booking demos and I'm sure it'll be fine for that.

Should I purchase a DAT? Should I purchase a standalone CD burner and mix to that? Even if I get, say, a 1/4" reel to reel-I still have to go digital at some point. What is going to be more flexible for say basic software postproduction/mastering?

I can see that it would be useful to have a standalone CD burner, because it would be nice to check my mixes on various stereos as my moniters aren't the greatest (Fostex PM1's).

I dunno. What do you suggest?

Chris

 

[The Ghost of FM]

I have at my disposal Cassette, MiniDisc, DAT and a stand alone CD recorder and I find I use the CD recorder the most as it gives me instant compatibility to play the disk on any home system or computer and make mp3's or quickly do some wave editing on the computer.

Unless you are making masters for CD mass replication, a CD recorder is the way to go. Otherwise, I would consider a two track reel to reel or a 24 bit DAT or similar digital medium to take to a mastering facility.

Cheers!

 

[CMEZ]

well, I might...see, the demo sessions are going SO well (good lord, if you're careful about mic placement and track groupings you can really make good use of 8 tracks and this half inch machine just sounds phenomenal) that I was thinking that I might try to do an EP this spring. You know, like a 500-1,000 pressing, 5-6 song sort of thing.

So I might, after all, get something like a 24 bit recorder. One thought is to go analog 1/4". I'm an analog lover. What do you think about some of the 1/4" two track decks from Tascam or Otari? Is it going to degrade the audio going in?

Chris

 

[The Ghost of FM]

A properly calibrated half track, stereo open reel running at 15 or 30 ips would surely not degrade what ever you had on your 8 track, half inch machine.

I am not sure of what all the Otari's offer in terms of format but TASCAM offers currently the BR20 mastering deck and an older model, the ATR60-2HS which runs at 30ips and requires no noise reduction. The TASCAMs are built well and sound great.

If you check out the Otari website, I think they too offer a high end 2 track mastering deck currently that should offer everything the ATR60-2HS offers, perhaps more?

Cheers & good luck with your recording project.