Tascam Reel for MD or keep digital?

[superspit]

Hi,
this may seem silly and irrational....but.........

I have acquired (borrowed with a view to purchase) a beautiful Tascam 2 channel reel to reel recorder.
(I was going to put this post into the 'analog/reel' forum, but you'll see why I didn't in my writing).
The model is a BR20, a very formidable looking unit and appears to 'look' quite expensive too! (Haven't talked about price yet, wouldn't really know anyway, as the last reel deck I had was about 20 years ago, and that was an old, but nice, 4 track Tascam).
Anyway, I did a test mixdown, via my desk into this unit, using no noise reduction, and geeees...what a gorgeous sound. (compared to my digital mixdowns). I didn't make any adjustments to the tape deck, I just hit record.
I simply couldn't believe the 'natural beauty' of the playback...very...umm....'rich', and typically full in sound.
I'm not sure just yet if I would use it on every mixdown, I'm not sure if I should scrap digital mixdowns all together....I don't even know how much I should make an offer for, if any!....(currently searching for general pricings).
But it's in my studio, and I can't believe how beautiful it looks and, especially, sounds....it's almost too good to be true.
Anyway...early stages yet.....I'll see how it works over the next week or so and take it from there.
Just looking for general comments on going to this system rather than digital.
I'm not really after the workings so much of the tape deck.
It all may come to nought, but I thought I'd talk to my friends here first before committing/considering an actual purchase!!
Kindest Regards,
Superspit.

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Just looking for general comments on going to this system rather than digital.
I'm not really after the workings so much of the tape deck.

Why is it an either/or situation? Do you need to rid yourself of your digital capability if you add that deck - e.g. do you need to sell off something to get the money for the deck?

I'd say if the above is not true, give youself both options. Get the deck (which, yes, I'd highly recommend if you get a proper price on it). You can use it for more than just mixdowns. For example, you can use it to do analog tracking on certian tracks in what will wind up being a digital mix, just as one example. In other words, it can be a tool to give you "that tape sound" anywhere in the chain you want.

G.

 

[superspit]

Why is it an either/or situation? Do you need to rid yourself of your digital capability if you add that deck - e.g. do you need to sell off something to get the money for the deck?

I'd say if the above is not true, give youself both options. Get the deck (which, yes, I'd highly recommend if you get a proper price on it). You can use it for more than just mixdowns. For example, you can use it to do analog tracking on certian tracks in what will wind up being a digital mix, just as one example. In other words, it can be a tool to give you "that tape sound" anywhere in the chain you want.

G.

Hi SSG,
I thankyou for your comments!
I guess I'm just so focussed on the sound at the moment that I'm probably not thinking about the other aspects of my studio, which I don't need to sell off at the moment.
I could just add this unit to my current setup, and use it on a 'needs' basis, but I suspect that at this stage I would tend to use it full-time. I just can't see any short comings of the reel just yet. (I suspect that I never will, especially, as you suggest, if I keep both in the arsenal.)....oh...except for the purchase price/maintenance of the unit!!! LOL!!
I guess the 'tape' sound is better suited to my music and my ears, at this stage. (Hard-rock, folk-rock).
I thank you!!
Kindest Regards,
Superspit.