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Yeah, I have recorded many 15 NNR 2" masters my friend. So, I hear you. But...
Recording live ballads can be a noisy proposition. In the studio, you can adjust the feeds to the 2" to maximize the signal to noise ratio. Live, you don't always have that option! You adjust for peaks across the whole show, and not as per each song.
Yes, the running times alone can be an issue, but most major mobile units have dual machine operation. We start the second 2" when we know there's not enough tape left to complete the recording of the next tune. If there's 3 minutes left on reel A, and the next song is 5 minutes long, we start recording on reel B seconds before the song begins.
Yes, the console and/or preamp outputs are multed to both decks. We bridge the inputs. We can record dual 24 track with no sweat.
The ASL mobile unit is setup for dual 48 track record. Meaning, we can record to, two 48 track DASH and/or two sets of six DA*8 machines. A dual record setup is usually used during continuious record situations, but can also be used as a backup device.
Man, the last 2" gigs were a long time ago. The first of the last two gigs was during the remaining days of the "Wetlands Preserve" in NYC, before they closed the club down for good. The date was August 23rd, 2001, the artist was Robert Randolph. The actual last 2" recording was with Leona Naess at the Mercury Lounge, NYC, NY on August 29th, 2001. Both sessions were recorded on Quantegy 499 @ 30IPS NNR.
A few days later, on 9/3/01 we recorded Kei Kobayashi Quartet w/ Seamus Blake via a Sony 3348 with DA88 backup, live from the Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC, NY for NHK-TV. Except for a few Sony DASH and Pro Tools dates, we have only recorded with DA*8's. Tascam DA98HR, DA78HR & DA88 has been the medium of choice for most of our clients.
It's pretty scary, but true.
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