best bet for noise reduction

[numrologst]

I need some noise reduction for my tape machine...

There aren't too many posts around here about analog noise reduction...So what's my best bet?

[The Byre]

What machine, multitrack, what?

Even back in the days, I usually ended up not using any NR, though Dolby SR was quite good. If the machine was noisy, then I used a little pre-emphasis (crank highs on record and bring them down on playback).

[numrologst]

sony jh-24

90% of my projects don't need it. My studio is run on balanced power, so there is not alot of hum or hiss.

But I have a few things I got recently that need some noise reduction. I've been thinking of going for the SR

[The Byre]

You might like to read up on balanced power here (though it reffers to the UK where voltages can be as high as 250, which puts a somewhat different light on things!)

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov0...stalk_1106.htm

In the mean time, NR, well, SR is very good and if you can get a set on eBay for little money, then I can recommend it.

In the mean time, I would be tempted to add a little HF boost as I described above. If you do this, then it helps to write it down, so that you reverse the right amount on playback (but you knew that!) You could also try using 499 instead of 456 tape.

With tape and critical material, one just has to be careful and always take off any high freqencies in playback using a shelf filter, if that track is not using them.