thinkin bout goin analog

  • Thread starter Thread starter seismetr0n
  • Start date Start date
thanks all...

you're right, its not like i'm running a $20,000 pre-amp into it or anything, probably only a $200 pre-amp, i just want to make sure that if i invest in someting, that itll be worthwhile.
i'm a very small studio that is starting to finally break-out into making a little bit of scratch (well not really since it'll all go back into the studio plus some)...
plus i love analog, and would want something to record it with a quality that will make me love my own analog recordings as well.

after all your input, i think i'm leaning towards a 1/2" 8-track or 16 track ie.
tascam 38 or tsr-8, maybe a fostex 16.

thanks for all the input, keep it coming ...
 
seismetr0n said:
thanks all...

you're right, its not like i'm running a $20,000 pre-amp into it or anything, probably only a $200 pre-amp, i just want to make sure that if i invest in someting, that itll be worthwhile.
i'm a very small studio that is starting to finally break-out into making a little bit of scratch (well not really since it'll all go back into the studio plus some)...
plus i love analog, and would want something to record it with a quality that will make me love my own analog recordings as well.

after all your input, i think i'm leaning towards a 1/2" 8-track or 16 track ie.
tascam 38 or tsr-8, maybe a fostex 16.

thanks for all the input, keep it coming ...
Click to expand...

I think you are making a good decision to go with 1/2" 8. You can definitely do some cool stuff with 1/4" 8 (I am still amazed at what my friend can do with his 388), but I think you will have an easier time with 1/2". May I add to the list the Tascam 48 and 58 and the otari mx5050. the former two are more robust than the TSR8 and 38 (which are great) but they are a little more expensive and a lot harder to find.

--doris
 
I have a Fostex model 80 which was previously owned by a pro doing pro work. He sold it to me because he wanted more tracks, not because the sound quality wasn't good enough.
 
Analog formats

Folks,

I have to say that it really doesn't matter what analog format is used. You just have to use your ears. I have a Tascam 464 cassette 4-track, usually just to put ideas down, (recording drums to stereo on 2 tracks, for instance)and I get great results. I use a Fostex A-8 (which I used to record a solo CD I just completed), as well as a Teac A-3440, and both are 1/4". As you record, focus in and get your individual instruments sounding good, and don't be afraid to try different methods. But the notion that you can only get good quality on 1/2" or larger tape is simply not accurate. Heck, a consumer stereo cassette machine hooked up to a decent mixer will work well. Just focus on wrting those songs, baby, and try to get down on tape what is in your head (like Brian Wilson used to say)! OK, I've said enough.
 
For 5 posts in 6 years, you've said plenty!!!

I couldn't agree more. It's basically what I say in respect to analog, but I think people listen less to me, because they know I'm an analog fanatic.

Anyway, I defer all my answers at this time to cjacek, monty and azis.

Thank you!
 
A Reel Person said:
I couldn't agree more. It's basically what I say in respect to analog, but I think people listen less to me, because they know I'm an analog fanatic.

Anyway, I defer all my answers at this time to cjacek, monty and azis.

Thank you!
Click to expand...
What's that? Are you saying something...!? :eek:
 
Without trying to jack the thread, (I'm contemplating getting a reel to reel also) what is the prefered workflow for integrating analog tape into a studio? I would love add some analog warmth to my recordings but really have no desire to go all analog. Would I record to tape then record that track to the DAW? What other hardware should I be looking for? (SMTPE?)
 
monty said:
I have a Fostex model 80 which was previously owned by a pro doing pro work. He sold it to me because he wanted more tracks, not because the sound quality wasn't good enough.
Click to expand...

Some pro's use consumer equipment, big deal.

Some pro golfers sometimes use cheap clubs when golfing with their kids/friends. Does that mean cheap golfclubs are what the pro's use all the time?


Pro equipment is vastly different than consumer equipment because.........Surprise!!!!!!!!!!!

They are DESIGNED to be different.

So, really, it gets old when people try, I mean really try, to get others to think that all that consumer recording stuff is "as good" or .........gasp..........."even better" than pro stuff.
 
MCI2424 said:
So, really, it gets old when people try, I mean really try, to get others to think that all that consumer recording stuff is "as good" or .........gasp..........."even better" than pro stuff.
Click to expand...

MCI2424 said:
No. Get a 1/2" machine. Don't look back. 1/4" is consumer, 1/2" is prosumer, 1" and above is pro. Machine quality goes in same order with maintanence and durability/sound best for pro units. Very reasonably priced these days (like beta video machines) in the dead days of analog.
Click to expand...

don't listen to this guy. he's just an old fart that always shows up to crap on the parade because he's had lots of experience with great gear. But his track width designations don't make any sense. he says "1/4"" is consumer but doesn't say for how many tracks. 1/4" is indeed "pro" if you are talking about a half track machine. He is constantly saying that anything less than "pro" is crap and the story is always the same. he says "1" and above is pro". well, a 1" 8 track would actually give you MORE tape width than his MCI 24. does that make his MCI NOT pro??? Gasp!

That said, if you can handle only having 8 tracks, shoot for a 1/2" 8-track with an outboard mixer, or the 388 with integrated mixer. if you need more than 8, get a 1/2" 16-track. if you can afford to spend more than that AND you know a tech, go for either a 1" 16-track or a 2" 24-track. that would make MCI2424 very very happy. In the end, it all depends on what you are trying to do. Which you haven't really stated yet.
 
I'm using a 388 now. I turn the NR (poop switch) off and slam my basic rhythm tracks to tape, then dump them into the computer for overdubbing. I wouldn't bother with a 16 track; you'd be amazed how much can be done with an analog 8 track, especially if you're using a computer. I'd be interested to hear anyone's experience with using a 388 or similar and SMPTE...
 
MCI2424 said:
Some pro's use consumer equipment, big deal.

Some pro golfers sometimes use cheap clubs when golfing with their kids/friends. Does that mean cheap golfclubs are what the pro's use all the time?


Pro equipment is vastly different than consumer equipment because.........Surprise!!!!!!!!!!!

They are DESIGNED to be different.

So, really, it gets old when people try, I mean really try, to get others to think that all that consumer recording stuff is "as good" or .........gasp..........."even better" than pro stuff.
Click to expand...


Yes, Pro equipment is vastly different. It is made to take a beating. Day after day usage. It is made to interface with other pro gear so the levels are +4dBu and "typically" balanced. Not sonically better, not functionally better, but durable.

Head quality makes a difference, electronics >>May<< make a difference but not very much. balanced over single ended may make a difference in CMRR over a long run but NOT in a 3' run.

This makes me think of skis. Olympic skis and "consumer" skis are vastly different. And if you are in the Olympics the difference between them is the difference in willing gold or silver. The difference is measured in hundredths of a second. Ditto top level consumer and pro gear.

And in audio and skis, mistuning completly overides the differences....
 
you know...

the perfect number of tracks is 12.

I would really love a 12-track head for my 1/2".

That would be da bomb.
 
MCI2424 said:
So, really, it gets old when people try, I mean really try, to get others to think that all that consumer recording stuff is "as good" or .........gasp..........."even better" than pro stuff.
Click to expand...

It's more like we don't have a need for it rather than thinking it's "as good" or "even better" in any way shape or form.

~Daniel
 
FALKEN said:
don't listen to this guy. he's just an old fart that always shows up to crap on the parade because he's had lots of experience with great gear. But his track width designations don't make any sense. he says "1/4"" is consumer but doesn't say for how many tracks. 1/4" is indeed "pro" if you are talking about a half track machine. He is constantly saying that anything less than "pro" is crap and the story is always the same. he says "1" and above is pro". well, a 1" 8 track would actually give you MORE tape width than his MCI 24. does that make his MCI NOT pro??? Gasp!

That said, if you can handle only having 8 tracks, shoot for a 1/2" 8-track with an outboard mixer, or the 388 with integrated mixer. if you need more than 8, get a 1/2" 16-track. if you can afford to spend more than that AND you know a tech, go for either a 1" 16-track or a 2" 24-track. that would make MCI2424 very very happy. In the end, it all depends on what you are trying to do. Which you haven't really stated yet.
Click to expand...

Hey. Rocket Scientist, you took my comments out of context entirely as usual with you pro wannabes.
 
OMG! :eek:

A Pro Wannabe on homerecording.com?! :eek: ;)

MCI, its not that your comments aren't correct- they are: pro gear easily exists in a price and quality class well above home gear- they just aren't overly helpful. Anyone can say "Get better equipment" and be right... without really addressing the question at hand.

Most folks trying to get a "pro sound" at home don't have the ears or equipment to distinguish the difference between the best they can do at home and what a decent pro studio can easily accomplish. The difference isn't all that great if you haven't experienced it and you can get close enough for most people at home... with a lot of work.

It doesn't mean the difference isn't there, I'm just saying, MCI, that a lot of folks you're talking to here haven't experienced that difference and/or don't care about it because the cost of achieving the difference between best home and pro recordings is prohibitive.

Add to it that many local "pro" studios these days are little more than prosumer gear in a nice space... and the line blurs a bit more for those who haven't experience the "real" thing.

Take care,
Chris
 
asiz said:
Folks,

I have to say that it really doesn't matter what analog format is used. You just have to use your ears. I have a Tascam 464 cassette 4-track, usually just to put ideas down, (recording drums to stereo on 2 tracks, for instance)and I get great results. I use a Fostex A-8 (which I used to record a solo CD I just completed), as well as a Teac A-3440, and both are 1/4". As you record, focus in and get your individual instruments sounding good, and don't be afraid to try different methods. But the notion that you can only get good quality on 1/2" or larger tape is simply not accurate. Heck, a consumer stereo cassette machine hooked up to a decent mixer will work well. Just focus on wrting those songs, baby, and try to get down on tape what is in your head (like Brian Wilson used to say)! OK, I've said enough.
Click to expand...
I can dance to this :) That sounds like my kind of music.
Not to say blindly that all equipment - the same... but it is the right attitude, imho
I like this thought allot: Just focus on wrting those songs, baby, and try to get down on tape what is in your head. I'd add to this: while you are on it, do not waste time and creative energy on comparing yourself against somebody else, 'cos it will not help you, but may distract and derail you off the right track.
ol'saying: "There are no bad violins, only bad violinists." or something like that

/later
 
MCI2424 said:
...you pro wannabes.
Click to expand...
I always thought that becoming a Pro starts with a classified ad in local newspaper. ....and, hmmmm, well, that's about it.

/later
 
MCI2424 said:
Hey. Rocket Scientist, you took my comments out of context entirely as usual with you pro wannabes.
Click to expand...

didn't mean to offend. I thought you would have a laugh. seriously though every recommendation here including mine is bull because we dont know what this person is trying to do.
 
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