Analog Tape

Hexfix93 · 4th April 2004

I'm looking to get a punchy warm, big analog tape sound. I don't need multitrack, all i need is stereo.

is there a good affordable machine to do this with?

any suggestions are welcome..

djui5 · 4th April 2004

Ampex 1/2" 2 track..

Ted Nightshade · 4th April 2004

These machines are crazy affordable right now. Make sure to shop around and get a nice healthy clean one! You will be well & truly stoked...

Hexfix93 · 4th April 2004

yeah, where to look, and how to check, i live in colorado.... hrmm..

i think i want to master this way.. i really dont like digital at all anymore. i'm tired of latency and the harsh sound..

djui5 · 4th April 2004

How's Colorado? I was born in Durango...and miss it there. Where's Westminister?

Not trying to hyjack the thread...so here's a link to some Ampex tape machines.

http://www.tmopaudio.com/Analog%202-...Recorders.html

http://www.hticsproaudio.com/Tapedecks1.html

http://www.lionfox.com/newsequipmentforsale.htm

That should do it for now

Hexfix93 · 5th April 2004

westminster is just north of denver. and its nice here, too bad still in a drought tho..

Teacher · 5th April 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by Hexfix93
i think i want to master this way.. i really dont like digital at all anymore. i'm tired of latency and the harsh sound..

the harsh sound isn't due to digital usually due to the pilots lack of skill...

not tryna sound like an ass hole but its the truth

djui5 · 5th April 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by Hexfix93
westminster is just north of denver. and its nice here, too bad still in a drought tho..

I thought that's where it was. I gotta friend in Aurora I can't get ahold of.

Anyways...thanks. Suck's about the drought. I'm in the desert so it's always a drought...

scotty-o · 6th April 2004

Just a heads up, all the Ampex 351's for sale at Lion and Fox are all repro only. No record head.

-Scotty

Jay Kahrs · 7th April 2004

Analog tape is not a magic cure all!!!!

Having said that I like it. On an all digital project mixing to a good analog machine can soften the highs and a bit and make it more like a record, but we're talking maybe 10% difference. Is the added cost and hassle of keeping a space heater of a tape machine running worth it? For some people it is and for some it isn't. I have clients who can readilly and easily hear the difference between digital and analog and others who can't even though it's obvious to me.

Hexfix93 · 7th April 2004

i dunno, digital cannot do saturation, or sound as smooth.

and the cost of a big ben (must have clock) for all digital gear, and good dacs (easily 4k for 2 ins 2 outs), i find tape great, because most mastering studios take them and will use their pricey converters instead of you having to pay a lot.

1/2" tape is not that costly, and i prefer analog, it is not a cure for a lack of mixing skills, or a lack of music writting skills. but it can give you warmth ans saturation that dacs cannot.

and the price of decent decks, is not that much compared to the price of decent dacs..

did i mention latency?

Ted Nightshade · 7th April 2004

For my money tracking to analog is where it's at, mixing to analog is useful sometimes, not so hot others.

Personally I track analog, mix analog to digital.

4th April 2004	#1
Hexfix93 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 316 Thread Starter	Analog Tape I'm looking to get a punchy warm, big analog tape sound. I don't need multitrack, all i need is stereo. is there a good affordable machine to do this with? any suggestions are welcome..

4th April 2004	#5
djui5 Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Phoenix Posts: 6,661	How's Colorado? I was born in Durango...and miss it there. Where's Westminister? Not trying to hyjack the thread...so here's a link to some Ampex tape machines. http://www.tmopaudio.com/Analog%202-...Recorders.html http://www.hticsproaudio.com/Tapedecks1.html http://www.lionfox.com/newsequipmentforsale.htm That should do it for now __________________ _________________ "What is a crossfire hurricane & why wasn't I born in one?" Randy Wright

6th April 2004	#9
scotty-o Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: D.C. / MD Posts: 222	Just a heads up, all the Ampex 351's for sale at Lion and Fox are all repro only. No record head. -Scotty __________________ "It's just like being in a reverb sandwich" - D.R. "It's those rock and roll hours...... really graves without flowers" - Lowell George "I wish more musicians were more interested in their "performance" than the "technology" that lets them appear to be musicians" - mixman499 "He was playing a Fender Precision with flatwound strings, like God meant for man to do." - Jim Dickinson

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4th April 2004	#3
Ted Nightshade Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: state of jefferson Posts: 1,328	These machines are crazy affordable right now. Make sure to shop around and get a nice healthy clean one! You will be well & truly stoked...

5th April 2004	#6
Hexfix93 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 316 Thread Starter	westminster is just north of denver. and its nice here, too bad still in a drought tho..

7th April 2004	#11
Hexfix93 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 316 Thread Starter	i dunno, digital cannot do saturation, or sound as smooth. and the cost of a big ben (must have clock) for all digital gear, and good dacs (easily 4k for 2 ins 2 outs), i find tape great, because most mastering studios take them and will use their pricey converters instead of you having to pay a lot. 1/2" tape is not that costly, and i prefer analog, it is not a cure for a lack of mixing skills, or a lack of music writting skills. but it can give you warmth ans saturation that dacs cannot. and the price of decent decks, is not that much compared to the price of decent dacs.. did i mention latency?