sjoko2
New member
but but but ................ if you have a tape machine..... you don't need converters 
C
CyanJaguar
New member
sjoko2,
I dont understand. I thought that you would need converters no matter what, or it would never get to the digital domain.
I was thinking of tracking from symetrix 528 or sytek into the tape, then fly the tracks individually via high quality lucid converters into logic for editting and mixing.
Is this a non-standard way of using tape?
I dont understand. I thought that you would need converters no matter what, or it would never get to the digital domain.
I was thinking of tracking from symetrix 528 or sytek into the tape, then fly the tracks individually via high quality lucid converters into logic for editting and mixing.
Is this a non-standard way of using tape?
sjoko2
New member
I'd look at smething like the Fatso Jr. first before deciding on tape.
http://www.wavedistribution.com/
What you suggest can be done, no problem. But what you are doing is using the analogue medium as an effect, that's all. Don't forget that tape saturation you have to calibrate the tape machine at a certain setting, and get your signal levels spot-on.
Also, you will induce a lot of noise in your recordings.
If you really feel the need to re- create the "warmth" of analogue, leave it to the last minute and put your signal to a tape master.
http://www.wavedistribution.com/
What you suggest can be done, no problem. But what you are doing is using the analogue medium as an effect, that's all. Don't forget that tape saturation you have to calibrate the tape machine at a certain setting, and get your signal levels spot-on.
Also, you will induce a lot of noise in your recordings.
If you really feel the need to re- create the "warmth" of analogue, leave it to the last minute and put your signal to a tape master.
kristian
New member
a CHEAPER way of getting the analogue sound in digital is not to go into the 8 or 16 tracks. But to use a 1/2" two track. This will work for everythign but drums. But drums really only in our world of project/ home studio land ned kick and snare to have that sound. Yea it would be great, but i promise you 2 tracks on 1/2" will sound better then 16 on 1". You save money, and it will sound better. Reasons? The frequency response, headroom and head bump is all about track width and tape speed. at 30ips the tape hiss is non existant because it flies out of your audible range basically, but you lose the low end head bump but gain pencil flat response with high frequency WAY up there, especially with 1/2" 2 track. a 1" 16 track at 30ips WILL HAVE NO LOW END, and basic frequency response of 30Hz~20kHz not pencil flat. 15ips is mandatory at that track width. At the 1/2" 2 track width (and 15ips) you can probably get basically pencil flat response and somewhat of the bump in the lowend from an Otari 5050 2 track (not the 8 track version) for $800 for new condition. $500 in good condition. $400 if you look for a deal. All comes with more headroom and compression then your hearts desire.
Its ALL about track width, and of course 1/2" 2 track is the WIDEST of all standard analogue widths. FMR Magnetics can of course kit you out for a 2" 2 track! That Sjoko, has more headroom then your converters.
Its ALL about track width, and of course 1/2" 2 track is the WIDEST of all standard analogue widths. FMR Magnetics can of course kit you out for a 2" 2 track! That Sjoko, has more headroom then your converters.
kristian
New member
yea thas something i forgot.
Putting your mix through a 1/2" 2 track say from ADATs into the computer. 3 head machines you basically run signal in -> record head -> tape -> reproduction head -> monitor out -> soundcard... and that will give you analogue sound up the wazoo, very nice, and on top of that, the compression that will allow you to push your mix that bit louder, without the use of a master mix compression. And headroom of tape works like a complete different monster then electric compression, and very mucha better way!
Putting your mix through a 1/2" 2 track say from ADATs into the computer. 3 head machines you basically run signal in -> record head -> tape -> reproduction head -> monitor out -> soundcard... and that will give you analogue sound up the wazoo, very nice, and on top of that, the compression that will allow you to push your mix that bit louder, without the use of a master mix compression. And headroom of tape works like a complete different monster then electric compression, and very mucha better way!
sjoko2
New member
Kristian's suggestion re a 2 track machine is spot on, I master a lot of stuff to a 2 track Studer. Far better option in my mind, leave it to last.
Quote; "That Sjoko, has more headroom then your converters"
Eh........no it hasn't
Quote; "That Sjoko, has more headroom then your converters"
Eh........no it hasn't
C
CyanJaguar
New member
hey kristian,
That was GREAT info. Thanks man. I did not even know that there was a difference between 1" 1/2 " and 2". Anyhow, if I ever get a tape machine, it will be a 1/2"
thanks. peace.
Hi sjoko2,
YES. thats it. The tape is basically just an effect. MAybe like an eq or something.
That was GREAT info. Thanks man. I did not even know that there was a difference between 1" 1/2 " and 2". Anyhow, if I ever get a tape machine, it will be a 1/2"
thanks. peace.
Hi sjoko2,
YES. thats it. The tape is basically just an effect. MAybe like an eq or something.
crosstudio
New member
if you really love tape and the tape sound then why use digital at all? i guess what i'm saying is --> track to tape and then if you for some reason need to edit then throw that track to digital chop it up however you need and spit it back to tape.
the thing is, the companies who made tape recorders had been making them for years. they made and fixed engineering mistakes and perfected their craft. digital is still very much new, but i'm not going back to tape because i feel that the benefits of digital (for my semi-pro needs) outweigh the short comings of this new breed of recording.
the thing is, the companies who made tape recorders had been making them for years. they made and fixed engineering mistakes and perfected their craft. digital is still very much new, but i'm not going back to tape because i feel that the benefits of digital (for my semi-pro needs) outweigh the short comings of this new breed of recording.