Tape speed: Normal vs. High

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Mr. C

Mr. C

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I have a 424mkII and the tape speed reads normal or high. I've already been recording on normal speed. Why would I record on high? What's the difference? Also I have been reading about mixing down on here and know that one would need a separate tape deck or whatever to mix down too. I was told that I could mix down right on the 424. It seems to make sense to me since it does have normal speed. Comments?
 
High speed will effectively give you a better frequency response primarily on the top end...more highs.

You'll also gain a better wow and flutter spec too...less warble to the sound on sustained notes like bass and piano.

Who ever told you you don't need a mixdown deck was either silly or lying or both.

Cassette decks in the consumer world play stereo only. Stereo is two tracks and your Portastudio is 4 tracks so, even if you recorded at slow speed, half of your production will be missing and possibly back wards too! :eek:

Get a second cassette deck or CD recorder or use the line inputs of your computer to mix a stereo rendition of your productions.

Cheers! :)
 
i always record at high speed 9.5cms on my four track, sound's so much better..
 
Why?

It's sorta like digital photography.

The higher your camera's megapixels, the clearer your photos.

The faster your tape speed, the more high-end on your output.
 
tape speed

How about recording @high speed with pitch control set to max? Doesn't this increase tape speed? I've recorded this way and it seems to sound better.
 
hawkmoon269 said:
How about recording @high speed with pitch control set to max? Doesn't this increase tape speed? I've recorded this way and it seems to sound better.
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I wouldn't recommend that as a normal practise in that while the transport is under pitch control, it's speed is not a steady and predictable as a preset speed of high or low.

You may experience tuning issues with that practise too down the road.

Cheers! :)
 
Hmmm...

Shows initiative, and you have to admire that, though!
 
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