Studer A820 problem

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gordyzens

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We recorded a session in protools and bounced down to our Studer 1/2" tape machine. On playback, we hear a "ghost" recording just prior to the start of each song. Any ideas what causes this?
 
If that is a used tape and the "ghost is from a different song, what you may have is an older tape that has remained in the same wound position for a while. What has happened is the magnetic recording from a later part of the tape has "bled" onto the earlier part of the tape that was sitting on top of it in the wound position on the reel.

If the ghost is of the same song, it could be the same bleeding effect, but caused by recording levels that are a bit on the hot side. The magnetic imprint is so hot that it's partially magnetizing the same pattern onto the part of the tape that laying on it (or under it) when sitting in the wound position.

HTH,

G.
 
Glen beat me to the post. I agree.

Start with a virgin tape and see if you still have issues. If so, you may want to reduce your recording levels or try a different brand of tape.
 
SouthSIDE Glen said:
If that is a used tape and the "ghost is from a different song, what you may have is an older tape that has remained in the same wound position for a while. What has happened is the magnetic recording from a later part of the tape has "bled" onto the earlier part of the tape that was sitting on top of it in the wound position on the reel.

If the ghost is of the same song, it could be the same bleeding effect, but caused by recording levels that are a bit on the hot side. The magnetic imprint is so hot that it's partially magnetizing the same pattern onto the part of the tape that laying on it (or under it) when sitting in the wound position.

HTH,

G.
Click to expand...

This is brand new Quantegy GP9 1/2" tape, never been used before. We are at +6db for our setup and I understand that the GP9 can handle up to +9db. Seems like this happens on every song. It is really weird. Here is our setup. Protools HD3 running into a Neve 88R. We have automation to mute at the very beginning of the session until the moment the music starts, but the ghosties are there all the time. Maybe the place is haunted.
 
masteringhouse said:
Glen beat me to the post. I agree.

Start with a virgin tape and see if you still have issues. If so, you may want to reduce your recording levels or try a different brand of tape.
Click to expand...

Check out my response to Southside Glen.
 
Yes I have used Quantegy (2" tape) at +9 without issues. Should be able to handle it without bleed.

Just to verify that this isn't an issue with tape storage, could you try recording something, rewinding and see if you have this issue before storing the tape? I would have a very difficult time believing that print through could happen just after a rewind.

You might also try de-magnetizing the heads, but that doesn't really explain this issue.
 
'Maybe the place is haunted.'

this is my vote. being an electronics slowcoach - i attribute all things that go wrong to ghosts and deities...

in this case, i'd light a few Virgin Mary candles around the room, stick in revolution number 9 and pass the tape through the smoke of smoldering goat flesh.

ok ok ok - A80RC owner here - no problems like that so far.

Mike
 
Is this happening on the first pass to virgin tape? Or, is there a chance you might be printing a mix, listening, making changes and then printing over the previous mix? What I'm getting at is that itmight possible be an erase problem. If you are recording over a previous mix becuase you were not satisfied with it, possible your machine is not erasing "deep" enough.

Just a though.

Seems to me that print-through could be an issue here. I have seen print through happen pretty quickly.
 
gordyzens said:
This is brand new Quantegy GP9 1/2" tape, never been used before. We are at +6db for our setup and I understand that the GP9 can handle up to +9db.
Click to expand...
+6 over what?
 
gordyzens said:
185 nanoWebers/Meter.
Click to expand...
That puts you at a relatively conservative level, provided that you're not constantly pegging the meters.

Are you certain that the machine is aligned properly? Could the meters on the machine be giving you inaccurate readings?
 
Raw-Tracks said:
That puts you at a relatively conservative level, provided that you're not constantly pegging the meters.

Are you certain that the machine is aligned properly? Could the meters on the machine be giving you inaccurate readings?
Click to expand...

John Klett from Technical Audio/Tech Mecca aligned it.
 
gordyzens said:
John Klett from Technical Audio/Tech Mecca aligned it.
Click to expand...

he's...uh...sort of knowledgable from what i understand. :eek:

did it move from where it was when he did it?

i seem to remember getting print thru when i used 996 at +6/185 way back when on my 5050 8 track...but not like immediate. it was an issue when i mixed at times. when that stuff ran out i went to 499...then it wasn't - and i mean ever as far as i can remember. perhaps it's the tape...

ah tape...geeze lately i miss even da38 tape.

Mike
 
I don't know if we're going to easily get to the bottom of this problem on a bulletin board. However, if this "ghost" is only a prblem at the head of the song, just splice leader in at the head after you print your mix and your problem will be solved.

That brings up an interesting point though. If you only hear the ghost at the head of the song, not at the tail, you are most likely experiencing print through.
 
it's my ghost
haunting you for being able to use a Neve 88R.....{{drool}}
 
i'd love to have problems with my tape machine........


cause it would require me having a tape machine. :D
 
+6/185 should be cake on that machine - I'd have it checked out...
 
doesn't storing tails out solve hearing the print thru?

if you are immediately hearing it after recording and a quickie rewind, I'll withdraw from this discussion. :)
 
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