Reel to Reel GAS...Studer/Revox?

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http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor Since: Nov 11, 2007

I'm getting ready to have some stuff mastered and I'm getting the feeling that my PT recordings sound pretty digital, which is fine...but I kind of want to try that tape flavor out soon. I know at least one band in the area who would flip if I could get my hands on a nice reel to reel...and quite frankly I feel like their sound needs something like that.

I've heard a lot of good things about Studer/Revox machines, but they're out of production and sound a bit like a maintenance nightmare (am I wrong?) I'd like to be able to record to tape, edit in Pro Tools, then bounce the stereo mix out to tape again before sending anything to get mastered. I need at least 7 tracks for drums, so I'm thinking I'll want to go with an 8 track recorder. Here's what I 'think' I want...

1" tape, 3.74/7.5 ips 8 tracks...I do NOT plan on splicing tape. I want to edit everything in PT and bounce it back when I'm done.

If I can sneak by with something under $1000 I would be so very happy. Under $2000 is ok...over $2000 is not doable for a while.

Thoughts?

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MASSIVE Mastering, LLC
Member
Since: Aug 05, 2008


Jul 31, 2010 02:32 am

If you're looking for "that tape sound" then just track to tape, pull right off the repro heads into your DAW. I wouldn't even bother mixing back to tape (you probably won't feel the need either).

That all said - All tape decks are fussy creatures. They're all fairly heavy on the maintenance also.

Even mixing to tape (if you're looking for a two-tracker), I still pull off the repro heads and go back in. That avoids any issues with machine calibration (yours, the mastering facility's, etc.) and takes a lot of guesswork out of the equation. Sure, you need to have converters that are up to the task - But those are cheap by comparison...

On to eight tracks... 15ips is probably what you're going to find. 1" machines (old 3M units, etc.) are great - But the tape is very pricey and the machines are very finicky. 1/2" isn't too bad either (although I've never been a fan of 1/2" 16 track units).

http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Jul 31, 2010 08:38 am

ive got a Tascam reel to reel here, in mint condition, i think 1 and half inch. its one of the ones with the actual mixing desk combined, i think its a T808 or something like that.

ive been thru bouncing stuff to it and then back again to compy, but dint delv much further into it.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Aug 02, 2010 06:38 pm

I think I understand that recording to tape is the only piece of the process that I stand to benefit from tracking to a cumbersome reel to reel machine. I definitely want to edit/mix in digital...and if mixing back to tape is a step worth skipping, I'm all for skipping superfluous steps. Based on what I've read today, it sounds like the qualities that make tape sound like tape are a rich harmonic low end and a squashed thin sounding high end. I do think the electric bass I've recorded so far has sounded pretty sterile in the digital realm. I go through P-Bass or J-Pass and an Ampeg V4 or an SVT Classic RI. So far, the only tones I've been impressed with have gone through a Sansamp DI box. While I love the way the Sansamp sounds, it's not appropriate for every recording, and I'd like to find something I'm happy with that doesn't require the Sansamp. I think I have more research to do before I could commit to any particular reel to reel...

@Deon: What have you noticed about your audio when you bounce tracks to the Tascam? Man I wish I could hop on down there and play around with your tape machine...sounds like you've got something similar to what I'm interested in. Any pics?


http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Aug 02, 2010 06:45 pm

Why is it that these reel to reel's seem most popular in stereo (2 track) configurations? With the popularity of analog recording I expected to find plenty of brand new 8 track+ recorders out there. By my guesswork, analog junkies are more often than not completely against overdubbing...who's making analog recorders for them?

MASSIVE Mastering, LLC
Member
Since: Aug 05, 2008


Aug 03, 2010 12:58 am

New *tape* is hard enough to find (only one active manufacturer that I know of anymore). I don't think anyone is still making decks...

http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Aug 03, 2010 09:43 am

yep the tape was hard to find. only cost me 100 bucks tho.

Quince, i will get you some pics up shortly.
in regards to audio quality/change, from what i remember its "alot" warmer sounding, less edgey, smooth and creamy sounding.
Might get it up and going and maybe drop a song onto it and post it.

so busy though at moment, wanna try to get 6 songs finished so i can get em mastered and My Spaced and the like so i can start writing some more stuff.

Pics up soon. **** it, make it 10 mins or so.

http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Aug 03, 2010 09:48 am

Here you go,

http://a.imageshack.us/img374/7463/pa170076oh8.jpg



the darkish shadey bit at the end is just the tape cavity cover.

Not bad eh? she's still in showroom condition.
As for the insides and its performance, it seems to be going ok, might need a belt change.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Aug 03, 2010 04:50 pm

The camera flash exposes your attention to detail, sir. Very showroom quality indeed. That's pretty sweet man, is it safe to assume that all its innards are solid state? I saw some Studers and others that used tubes for power...yuck.

I think I've ruled out Studer's completely. Tubes + 40 year old technology + many, many moving parts + zealous cool-factor pricing = No thank you.

Man I would love to hear an A/B of one of your mixes before and after putting it to tape. If you give a mouse a cookie...heh

I keep seeing 1/4" TEAC's available around Kansas City, but I think they are all consumer grade. This analog thing is going to be a headache. Hope it's worth it.


http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Aug 03, 2010 08:30 pm

yeah man, i got cookies for mice here for sure.
Gimme till the weekendish and i'll see what i can do.

Yep pretty sure she be solid state, i think MM would know that one.

and yeah its quarter inch not 1 inch like i mentioned. dunno where i got 1 inch from.


http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Aug 04, 2010 07:29 pm

Awesome news! Found a Tascam 38 8 track 1/2" 15 ips max for something around $400! It's being brought up to spec by a friend of mine who's had it sitting around since his Dad was a distributor for some majors back in the 70's and 80's. He's an engineer so I imagine he'll get it up to snuff without a problem.

May not be ideal, but it's relatively cheap, unused, and when this guy's done with it it will act like new! He's even spending the money to get some tape put in for me. What a guy!

www.angelfire.com/electro...x/Tascam38.html

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