Anybody still using/planning to buy 2" reel ?

[dsstudio]

Hello,
I just bought a MINT Otari MTR90MK3, very excite about that !
I wonder is there any body still using OR Planning to buy those machine ? or I am the only one who is so stuppid to buy an old technology ???
If you are using it, do you transfer all tracks into DAW for mixing/editing ? if so, please share your experience how to do that (Transfer 2" reel into protools, what's level, converter etc ... )
- or any other tricks ?
If you happen to own MTR90MK3, tell me what do you think about that machine (please avoid MK1 and MK2)
Sorry for asking a lots of questions
Best regards
Sonny

[adamcal]

I go from the MTR via a TT patchbay either to the console or straight to a MOTU 24 i/o +4 balanced.

Works a treat plus you can set the 24 I/O so slave to smpte (on any track) and have it resolve its clock to the smpte.

If you use Nuendo it even talks via ASIO positioning protocol so you dont need a sync box, or worry about converting smpte to MTC, its all in there.

I ilke to print bands to 2", then into the computer for editing and for mixing, sometimes 24 outs out to the desk, sometimes in the box.

2"

[drundall]

Originally posted by dsstudio
Hello,
If you are using it, do you transfer all tracks into DAW for mixing/editing ? if so, please share your experience how to do that (Transfer 2" reel into protools, what's level, converter etc ... )

I patch directly out of the tape machine to PTHD.

I always do drums on tape, the rest depends on how good the band is.

These days I pretty much always mix from Pro Tools (with the console).

[Drumsound]

I use a 2" machine most of the time. I just added a RADAR and when I need to got from the tape deck to the RADAR I plu the tape outs into the RADAR ins and off I go.

[Musiclab]

I use my 2" deck every day, I track to the 2", If I need to edit I blow it into Logic patching out of the bay direct to my motu 1296's. When I'm done I blow it back to tape. I prefer tape as the main storage method. once I fill up the 2",
I'll use the daw for extra tracks along with midi, I prefer to mix thru my console with my outboard. I always have Logic running locked to the 2", so I can chase with midi or the DAW. Its all one system for me.

[dsstudio]

Originally posted by Musiclab
When I'm done I blow it back to tape. I prefer tape as the main storage method. once I fill up the 2",
.

Isn't do that will degrade the sound quality ? I though transfer from reel to DAW and then stay in Digital is the best idea...plus, we can erase the reel for other project (I don't cheap but since the reel is hard to buy plus not all of my clients willing to pay extra 600$ for master tape)

[Jay Kahrs]

If clients are bitching about tape costs then you either aren't charging enough for studio time or they aren't spending enough time on the project. My rule of thumb is that materials shouldn't be more then 10% of the overall budget. If we're going to exceed that then other options need to be explored like tracking right to a DAW.

[dsstudio]

Originally posted by Jay Kahrs
If clients are bitching about tape costs then you either aren't charging enough for studio time or they aren't spending enough time on the project. My rule of thumb is that materials shouldn't be more then 10% of the overall budget. If we're going to exceed that then other options need to be explored like tracking right to a DAW.

I'm working in small market (but good money) where quantity is more important than quality, so they are OK with Protools/Digital ... But I don't want that, I want fast work but STILL quality, so that's makes me have a good standing in community and never without a job.
I want to use analog reel to improve sound quality without cost them additional charges.

[lowswing]

I was few days ago in olympic studios in london for a session, the assitant engineer said she cant remember when was the last time anyone used the 2" machines... another engineer that i met there on a break who just came from air studios said the most of their analog machines are not even wired anymore... that's sad

[Beech]

Well, I've just bought an A827 and a rack of Dolby SR and I'm going to start tracking some sessions onto it next year (when I build the new machine room).

[cjogo]

I leave it up to the client (budget) I have not had the call for tape for almost 20 years.and fine with me. I have not calibrated or turned the machine on since probably '85.......clients will not spend the extra $$

[Tousana]

I love to use 2" whenever possible, it's the format I prefer. As we all know It's not always about what may be better (or not) these days, alot of the time it's about how can we get it done the cheapest. I would love to be able to do the hybrid thing, record basics to tape then dump to the box to do your O/D's, but most times you can't get people to spring for the extra cost of tape. So it becomes either one or the other. And of course it would then be the best of both worlds to bring out your original tape and lock to the DAW and mix away on a sweet Analog board (pick your poison),along with your favorite outboard gear. There is no question that going to a DAW is the most economic way to record. But we do what we have too. Ultimatly it's about the music.

[Jay Kahrs]

I dunno about the whole harddrives being cheaper thing. Maybe for some projects but to say that it's cheaper for all? I have to disagree with that. What people save in media they usually spend in studio time for editing. Every single freakin' time that I fly drums or something into the DAW to edit them and they see how easy it is...they want to edit everything else. Now to a certain degree I don't have a problem with that but a lot of times it's faster to just play it again then to sit there and edit multiple takes together on a DAW.

I love the way my MCI sounds and people that come to me love it too. I have no real problems with modern digital, but to throw out a blanket statement like 2" tape costs too much is just short sighted and stupid.

There are two things that are going to kill analog tape. The first is if production of new tape totally stops. But the thing that's really going to kill it and lower the coffin into the ground is all the new AE's coming up who have no idea how to do a basic ATR alignment. Fuk the complicated stuff like fixing the power supply's and whatever, I'm talking about the kids who have no idea what an MRL is and have gotten down on their knees with a tweaker in their hand.

In the long run, that will kill analog.

[Tousana]

I would agree,with you Jay. In most cases no time is saved with DAW's because most people can't make a decision(about tracks or the number of them),or can't play,so the session becomes a fix it so we sound good thing,thus driving the cost of the sessin over budget.This of course is a case of needing more practice and prepro. It's also true that they don't teach how to align or even do basic upkeep on machines anymore. But hopefully some AE's will learn the joy of analog and want to learn more about it. And for those who know better like myself cost of tape isn't an issue.
Also Emtec and Quantagy are still around and lets hope they stay that way.

[Musiclab]

Originally posted by dsstudio
Isn't do that will degrade the sound quality ? I though transfer from reel to DAW and then stay in Digital is the best idea...plus, we can erase the reel for other project (I don't cheap but since the reel is hard to buy plus not all of my clients willing to pay extra 600$ for master tape)

I prefer the 2" for storage. Its much more reliable than any HD.I find the loss to be negligble. Keep in mind I only blow in what needs to be fixed, I'm not interested in mixing digitally. Also just about all of the projects I do are way more than 24 tracks. so I'm usually running the daw and midi with the analog deck. Erasing the reel and using it again and again I think is not a great idea. You wind up with noise and bias bubbles.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by slipperman
Uhmmm, cjogo, just curious..... What were you recording to in 1986 that didn't require tape?

SM.

Maybe a Mitsubishi digital 1"?

Maybe Cjogo is Roger Nichols in another language?

[dsstudio]

Originally posted by Jay Kahrs

There are two things that are going to kill analog tape. The first is if production of new tape totally stops. But the thing that's really going to kill it and lower the coffin into the ground is all the new AE's coming up who have no idea how to do a basic ATR alignment. Fuk the complicated stuff like fixing the power supply's and whatever, I'm talking about the kids who have no idea what an MRL is and have gotten down on their knees with a tweaker in their hand.

In the long run, that will kill analog.

I think your commend is unfair for younger generation.
You can do ATR aligment but can you fix the computer if it ever screw up on you ?
15-20 years ago, you only have 1 choice: analog tape machine, these day, younger generation only have 1 choice: DAW so how can you say something like that ?
Your commend is like "analog will dead when your generation all dead" ... help the kids, not all of them are alike...Me for example
I just bought an analog tape machine eventhough I already have a 30K Protools System.
BTW, I'm 32 years old, Am I a "Kid" to you

[e-cue]

Originally posted by slipperman
Uhmmm, cjogo, just curious..... What were you recording to in 1986 that didn't require tape?

SM.

There is no emoticon to describe my disappointment in you right now Slipperman.

Originally posted by thethrillfactor
Maybe a Mitsubishi digital 1"?

1" Hard drive? Smart card?

Digital tape machines still use, uhm, tape.

[dsstudio]

Originally posted by e-cue
There is no emoticon to describe my disappointment in you right now Slipperman.



1" Hard drive? Smart card?

Digital tape machines still use, uhm, tape.

I need 1 emoticon for you too
yes, there is Mitsubishi machine that use reel to reel, Digital format, sound good too, but it's haft inch, 16 tracks.
Not confuse with Video tape side, it's a big reel to reel.
But I think it's about 15 years old or so, not 20
My friend's studio still has 1.

[BobbyPeru]

Originally posted by Jay Kahrs

There are two things that are going to kill analog tape. The first is if production of new tape totally stops. But the thing that's really going to kill it and lower the coffin into the ground is all the new AE's coming up who have no idea how to do a basic ATR alignment. Fuk the complicated stuff like fixing the power supply's and whatever, I'm talking about the kids who have no idea what an MRL is and have gotten down on their knees with a tweaker in their hand.

In the long run, that will kill analog.

I think what kills analog on the Project Studio level isn't the engineers involved its the clients.

I mean aligning a machine is a process, its not rocket science. If you can mic a kick drum you can align an analog tape machine.

The talent on the other hand.... I rarely get in clients that can make it all the way through a song without a punch. And even when they do, it can be done better. Lack of experience of the talent causing the need for punch ins and edits will make analog go bye bye at least on the project studio level.

People don't want to practice. They want to write the song today and record it tommorrow. A day later people will hear it and a day after that it will be forgotten. That is how music is operating. For better or worse. The artists are short lived for the most part. There's no time for developement. There are an overabundance of artists. Everyone has a band, everyone's friend has a studio. Last year I recorded a band who had T-shirts, stickers and buttons before they had a vocalist. They had a label to put out their record before their first show. They finished writing 2 of the 4 songs they recorded 2 days before they came into the studio. Their record was tracked BEFORE THEY PLAYED THEIR FIRST SHOW.


Bobby Peru
Milwaukee, WI

[Randy Porter]

Originally posted by BobbyPeru
People don't want to practice. They want to write the song today and record it tommorrow.... There are an overabundance of artists. Everyone has a band, everyone's friend has a studio. Last year I recorded a band who had T-shirts, stickers and buttons before they had a vocalist.

How true. I see situations like that all the time. The biggest difference between now and when I was starting (late 70's) is that no one really knows how to play their instrument and they don't think it matters much that they don't!