If you could sell your half inch machine for $10K would you part with it?

[MattGray]

I guess the heading says it all... I've had the offer made on my ATR-102. I love this machine but it's not getting as much use as it used to so I'm in 2 minds...

In terms of transfer, I haven't had a single job come in on half inch in the 4-5 years I've had it. so the only times I've used it is for 'layback' mastering where I'll run a mix through the half inch machine like a processor for 'effect'. Also fwiw I'll be keeping a Studer A-807 1/4" machine as it owes me nothing.

I'd like to hear what you guys have to say if you were in my position? Namely, how often do you use yours? would you ever sell it if the price was right? if not, what would be your main reason for keeping it? How long do you think analog tape will be available?

Perhaps the money would be better allocated for something else, maybe something quite esoteric like some E.A.R. EQ's or Compressors.

[lwstudios]

Yes, reason being technology will only grow. It will never be used again like it used to back in the old days. We can only imagine what will be next. Although digital is becoming a standard, some analog equipment will always be used. Mainly EQ's, Compressors, Mic Pres etc..... just not half inches. Its been too many decades its been in use and im afraid its time is up (unless you got a time machine). Unless you want to preserve it and watch the value go up as they become more and more rare. That would be the only reason not to sell it these days in my opinion. But lets hear what others have to say on the matter.

[turtlerock]

hey matt
i nearly sold mine a few years ago for the same reasons , but it seems all those records that got made into box sets in the 90s are getting done again for itunes and of coarse so now they have to be "louder " and now that the musicians themselves own the copyright they seem be more into using the original analog sources then when we did them for the labels in the day

so now i get a box set here and a box set there that keeps it plugged in
it allowed me to do jobs i would otherwise have to pass on
it must have earnt us $40k this year past but nothing much the three years prior !
but we also offer tape baking which means its a simple move from the conversation on the phone .. "i have these old tapes etc etc " to doing the job and once you get a client in the door ... etc etc

but i havent had a new 1/2 inch tape job in three years !

i am not selling mine but i must admit i very nearly did a few years ago

if its not getting used and you cannot for see doing box and reissues sets move it on me thinks..

just make sure you buy something just as classy with the money or you will have sellers remorse

[UnderTow]

Originally Posted by MattGray

I guess the heading says it all... I've had the offer made on my ATR-102. I love this machine but it's not getting as much use as it used to so I'm in 2 minds...

In terms of transfer, I haven't had a single job come in on half inch in the 4-5 years I've had it. so the only times I've used it is for 'layback' mastering where I'll run a mix through the half inch machine like a processor for 'effect'. Also fwiw I'll be keeping a Studer A-807 1/4" machine as it owes me nothing.

I'd like to hear what you guys have to say if you were in my position? Namely, how often do you use yours? would you ever sell it if the price was right? if not, what would be your main reason for keeping it? How long do you think analog tape will be available?

Perhaps the money would be better allocated for something else, maybe something quite esoteric like some E.A.R. EQ's or Compressors.

Attachment 171064

It sounds like your mind is telling you to grab the money and run and your heart is telling you to keep the lovely machine. Maybe if you focus more on what you will spend the money on, the mind can win the heart over.

Alistair

[inlinenl]

I would never sell it ... one day, one day ... you will want it back :-) mmmm I think ...
it could be part of a great mix/bounce room ...

[haberdasher]

I don't think my boss would be too happy if I did.

[mischa janisch]

I'd say it depends... Most important - is there anything else you would actually need or at least use more than the tape machine? Are reissues something that you might be doing in the future and if so, do you have any chance to rent a 1/2" when you need it? Is the potential buyer a potential or existing client you could loose to an Engineer with a 1/2"?

Me personally, I wouldn't sell an ATR and keep a Studer 807, I'd sell the 807... No additional EQ choice will generate any serious business, but just one reissue project (that you would loose buying an EQ instead) could easily pay for that EQ, you'd just have to be patient...

[glassmaster]

Originally Posted by MattGray

Also fwiw I'll be keeping a Studer A-807 1/4" machine as it owes me nothing.

Sell the Studer (an OK, but not a great machine). Use the proceeds to buy a 1/4" headstack & guides for the ATR.

[mixmixmix]

You mayy regret if you sell. Another question - will you be able to buy another one in case you will decide you need one again? Also owning a machine like this contributes to the "vibe" and "image" of your room. In any case - good luck with mastering.... your gut feeling.

Peace

[lowland]

Originally Posted by glassmaster

Sell the Studer (an OK, but not a great machine). Use the proceeds to buy a 1/4" headstack & guides for the ATR.

Bingo! That's what I'd do if I didn't have a pressing need to sell the ATR.

[UnderTow]

FS: ATR-102 1/2" in Nashville $4000 - pre ebay
Ampex ATR 102 1/2" Tape Machine (Used) | VintageKing.com
FS: Ampex ATR-102 Half Inch - AudioBanter


Is this thread still going? How come you don't have the $10K in your pocket yet?

Yes sure you might regret it (slightly). Yes sure you might need it again at some point (maybe) but you are getting an offer that is twice the market price. (You would probbably only get $5K from Vintage King to sell it for you). You would be crazy to not cash in.

Alistair

[joeaudio]

$10,000 for a machine that has never earned a nickel?
What was the question?

[IIIrd]

The 1/2" machine in my room isn't mine its EMI's really....but if it were, you had to pluck it out of my cold dying fingers, I wouldn't be without it.

[Adam Dempsey]

Matt, you know as soon as we lent out the ATR-102 to a local studio I needed it back again to master from. Then they needed it back again to finish mixing to.
And I knew years ago, amidst contemplation of selling, that this would happen.

[MattGray]

Originally Posted by UnderTow

FS: ATR-102 1/2" in Nashville $4000 - pre ebay
Ampex ATR 102 1/2" Tape Machine (Used) | VintageKing.com
FS: Ampex ATR-102 Half Inch - AudioBanter

Is this thread still going? How come you don't have the $10K in your pocket yet?

Yes sure you might regret it (slightly). Yes sure you might need it again at some point (maybe) but you are getting an offer that is twice the market price. (You would probbably only get $5K from Vintage King to sell it for you). You would be crazy to not cash in.

Alistair

All of those machines are stock with the exception of some having the flux magnetics heads... my machine was completely rebuilt from the ground up at ATR Services & has the class A ARIA electronics ($5K alone). also the 10K I should mention is AUD's not USD's.

[MattGray]

well thanks to all who have replied & voted... I'm going against this poll result & have decided to hang onto my beloved ATR-102 for sometime longer... Interestingly the same poll over at PSW was far more in favour of me not selling it. It was never a question of needing the money but more a question of is it worth selling & buying something else.

I think there is a certain stigma with owning such a machine, one that is quite unique here in Australia & as Rick kindly pointed out, who knows when someone might request to use it for back catalogue work. Besides that it still gets used maybe 1 in every 7 jobs for 'layback' mastering for which I charge a small tape fee which has been slowly paying the machine off over the past few years. I've also had some of my previous clients who I've used the machine for their projects specifically request that I don't sell it. It's surprising how many clients like the idea of going through analog tape. I guess I was naively hoping that the Studer could substitute that request but as others have pointed out it's really not a scratch on the sound of the ATR.

Besides, it's one of those pieces that just looks great in the studio & when it suits a certain job nothing else comes sounds as good as the real thing.

So that's that! I'm keeping it thumbsup

[joeaudio]

Not needing the money is good.
Are record labels really going back to
the source 1/2 inch tapes for remastering for itunes?

[turtlerock]

in my experience most of the bands that recorded on 1/2" in australia in the hey day (mid 80-s 90s ) have already looked at the last set of remasters that will get done for a quite a few years but you have to remember due to our small population (20 millionish) there were never many 1/2 machines here ( aust ) and only in melbourne sydney and perth so maybe 5-6 that made the masters all up
and most box sets i have done ( and i have done a lot are about 20 % ...1/2" and the rest 1/4"ich and all the other stuff)
but there are many 1/2" machines here now but it seems they just dont really get used anymore for new masters .

if a label is doing a "remaster' the Australian itunes contract gives them a dollar or so more per album if it is really "remastered " and it gets new irsc codes and so everybody was indeed going back to the closest original source for the itunes upload for the extra bucks they could get on sales !

( we were very late getting itunes 4 years i think .... because of this kind of issue that the labels had to source )
and i have done miles of masters that are yet to be put on itunes because of contracts and legal issues !

the best suggestion i have heard on the boards matt is to buy some ATR 1/4 " heads and get a dolby ..and tape baking oven and your it looks like your in the back catalog work game as long as you can stand it

my ATR 1/2 machine spends more time wearing 1/4 heads if truth be told .
but unless its one of my fave bands or friends i have grown very world worn doing remasters and i only do the ones that somebody cares about nowadays