Hi all,
For my final project for my MA in Audio Technology I recorded a couple of tracks simultaneously to ProTools (HD, 96K/24-bit) and an Otari MTR-90 (GP9, 30IPS). The main purpose was to see if it's beneficial to use a tape machine for recording compared to a digital system equipped with tape simulation plug-ins.
I have uploaded 3 versions of the same mix of Hole's
Celebrity Skin. The procedure was the following:
1) I mixed the track using the straight-to-digital files, having total freedom as to what processing I could use, including tape simulation plug-ins as I would them in my standard mixing practice (that is not trying to simulate the particular tape recordings - see below).
2) I replaced the audio files with those recorded to tape and exported a mixdown. Any tape simulation plug-ins where of course removed (see below).
3) I processed the digitally recorded files individually with various tape sim plugs in order to approximate the sound of the tape machine as closely as possible and exported another mixdown. Each file was processed with 10-12 different tape sims (VST/RTAS/TDM) and the best version (best approximation of the given tape machine's sound) of each file was chosen for the mixdown. Of course, any other tape sims used during mixing were removed as well.
A few notes:
- During my original mix, I only used 1 tape sim on the drum bus and I used it differently and way more subtly than I had to when I tried to approximate the sound of the tape machine (where I actually processed each track separately). The difference it made was extremely subtle, but I thought I should better remove it when I used the tape/emulated files.
- The acoustic guitar in the bridge section was recorded to tape in all versions.
- The average RMS levels of the audio files between the 3 versions were matched with a precision of 0.01dB.
- The mix was done in the box in Nuendo 3.2.1 @ 96/24. For further details, please ask.
- The order of the files (A, B, C) is random.
Please reply to the following questions:
1) Which version do you prefer overall?
2) Which one do you think is done with the digital files, which one with the tape files and which one was processed with the plug-ins?
3) What do you like/dislike in each version? i.e. Do you prefer the vocals in one and the bass in another version? etc.
As a thank you, I can send you some impulse responses of the MTR-90 if you're interested - just reply to this topic and include your e-mail address and I'll send them to you. 8)
Thanks in advance,
Akis
PS: If you prefer .wav versions @ 44.1KHz/16-bit (all together as a .rar file):
http://akis.files-upload.com/9314/4416.rar.html
No need to register to download!
EDIT: If you want to hear newer versions, scroll down to post #21.
/EDIT DISCLAIMER: I'm nowhere near nor I claim to be nor I expected to become an expert on anything before/while/after doing this. It was just an experiment that some of you may find useful. I certainly did. It doesn't prove anything.