15 ips... 30 ips

[wilcofan]

Hey all,

I got the Tascam ATR-60 1/2" back in action mastering another record this weekend. If you saw the other thread about the HEDD, you'll know I had this Tascam repaired this week.

I saw the test tones on the repair table and this machine is reproducing well right through 20k. We only tested 30 ips, however.

So I'm about to commit some mixes to tape and I flipped to 15 ips for a listen and I got a strange effect. Normally I expect less air and more "bow" in the bass when I go to the slower speed. I also expect less transient clarity.

Right now I'm getting less transient clarity but the EQ seems a little wonky. It seems brighter and thinner at 15 ips.

I flip back to 30 ips and indeed the transients come back but the air is duller but the mix is still full in the low end. I do like the overall effect of clear transients and EQ to make the program feel right.

I know the way to go is whatever sounds good but any ideas why the 15 ips could sound brighter? Is it a different electronic circuit?

Thanks,
Bobby

[Jim Williams]

Sounds like you need some test gear to spec it out. A sine sweep frequency response curve would be the first thing to look at . I've seen some wanky playback curves on some Tascam decks when the tape speed was changed.
The recommended bias points are wrong as well, some high end test rigs like Audio Precision can nail it for you and allow finding the optimum bias settings.


Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[nosebleedaudio]

You need to start at ground zero to know where you are, alignment tape, bias adjustment, ect. Brighter at 15ips could be not enough bias, distortion will also be higher.

[MJGreene Audio]

Can you or did you align the machine for both speeds? On the Studers, Sony's, Otari's etc. there was either dual speed alignments or we aligned them for the speeds we were using. I would bet that the horrible sound your experiencing has to do with an improper alignment. Just my .02Cents

Michael Greene

[wilcofan]

Whoops, sorry guys, didn't notice I double posted this thread.

A sine sweep frequency response curve would be the first thing to look at .

We looked at 5 points on the sine waves @ 30ips while I was picking up the deck. I'm quite happy with the performance @ 30ips and, as I said in the other thread, I really only flip to 15ips for reference. I never have actually picked that speed for mixing or mastering.

Just curious. I'm not going to worry about the difference for now since my funds are tapped. I have no 1/2" test tape although I do have a scope. For now the fact it performs well at the speed I use is good enough.

[Musiclab]

Originally Posted by wilcofan

Whoops, sorry guys, didn't notice I double posted this thread.



We looked at 5 points on the sine waves @ 30ips while I was picking up the deck. I'm quite happy with the performance @ 30ips and, as I said in the other thread, I really only flip to 15ips for reference. I never have actually picked that speed for mixing or mastering.

Just curious. I'm not going to worry about the difference for now since my funds are tapped. I have no 1/2" test tape although I do have a scope. For now the fact it performs well at the speed I use is good enough.

you need an mrl, period, you should properly align the deck and you need an mrl for that.

[wilcofan]

What's an mrl?

[brianroth]

Originally Posted by wilcofan

What's an mrl?

http://home.flash.net/~mrltapes/

Bri

[wilcofan]

Thank you Brian.

Thanks to others too.

I LOVE the tape after being without it for one project!

BTW, (and I know it deserves it's own thread) what's the fate of 499? My deck is setup (loose term) for it now and I want to wait on a measuring tape until I know what I'll be setting up...

Is 499 popular in 1/2"?

I don't see a need for GP9 but is that the trend?

Bobby

[Musiclab]

Originally Posted by wilcofan

Thank you Brian.

Thanks to others too.

I LOVE the tape after being without it for one project!

BTW, (and I know it deserves it's own thread) what's the fate of 499? My deck is setup (loose term) for it now and I want to wait on a measuring tape until I know what I'll be setting up...

Is 499 popular in 1/2"?

I don't see a need for GP9 but is that the trend?

Bobby

I dont know how to break this to you but your deck is NOT setup for 499. Every reel is alittle different in terms of record level and frequency response, you use an mrl
as a playback starting point and then setup up bias, and record level to the reel of tape. record level is not just overall level but there are adjustments for high frequency and bias. Also you set playback of low frequency to the reel you have on the deck. I'm sure Brian can explain this more eloquently than I but this is a procedure that it part of using an analog deck. And you dont have it too bad with a 1/2 2 track, try a 2" 24. This is why 15ips is coming back brighter and thinner. As far as tape formulas go, How ywould you know if you see a need for GP9. Set up your deck with a reel of each and see what you like better. For me I prefer 2" GP9. I can hit it harder than 499 and it sounds smoother to me. Get your self an mrl, get someone to show you how to setup your deck and then you will really hear what you have.