Getting tracks into 1/4" tape and back...?

**generator** · 05-27-2007, 01:05 PM

What do you guys think about routing recorded tracks to a 1/4" tape recorder, and re recording them to digital, before mixing!??

**acoustic_cloud** · 05-27-2007, 02:16 PM

I have read where some have good results by doing this. I wish I had my decks back sometimes, so I could try it out without the expense of buying one to tinker with. If you have decent enough adda, you probably would not lose noticeable fidelity going back and forth, but I dont think it would sound totally "tape" either, since its being used as an effect instead of a rec0ording medium.

If you already have the deck, go for it man! try all things is what I say. Thats how you learn. But remember, because of varying tape speeds, you can really only run a final mix to it and back, instead of seperate tracks.

Is it possible to stick a hardware comp in between and do it at the same time?

**generator** · 05-27-2007, 02:25 PM

I think you can use the comp also...I don't see why not!
What do you mean about the vari speed of the decks? You get phase problems?

My problem is: I don't have the deck! That's why I'm asking...!

If anyone has it, and can try it, please do and let us know, maybe it's worth getting one!

**acoustic_cloud** · 05-27-2007, 02:55 PM

What I meant was, my original idea with this was recording to tape first, and then playing them seperately into DAW tracks. This would not work from what I heard, because of tape speed being slightly varied in matching the tracks up after they were all done. I have wanted to incorporate a deck into my studio for a while now, and I keep hitting brick walls as far as efficiency/compatibility is concerned.

If your investment isnt a whole lot on the deck, I say do it. It may pan out to be a much cooler investment than a new mic at the same price. Also, if its a decent deck, you can always flip it for a bit less, or sometimes even a bit more.

**generator** · 05-27-2007, 06:38 PM

I still don't understand the problem about sending it to digital...Lot's of studios do it...!
There's something in you explanation that I'm not getting...!
So:
-if we got a multitrack tape rec, record everything on it and go to digital after, that's totally fine.
-if we got a 2 track tape rec, the only way I can see it to be possible, is recording on digital, but, sending it trough tape first, and recording the output of the tape rec that goes POST tape...do you know what I mean...I don't know how to call that output.
That's my question...will it work...??

**acoustic_cloud** · 05-27-2007, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by generator

I still don't understand the problem about sending it to digital...Lot's of studios do it...!
There's something in you explanation that I'm not getting...!
So:
-if we got a multitrack tape rec, record everything on it and go to digital after, that's totally fine.
-if we got a 2 track tape rec, the only way I can see it to be possible, is recording on digital, but, sending it trough tape first, and recording the output of the tape rec that goes POST tape...do you know what I mean...I don't know how to call that output.
That's my question...will it work...??

Ok, I am not understanding "you" questions either. You are arguing your own point, which does not make sense. All of your points "point" to the fact that its worthwhile trying it, and no one is going to give you the "AHHHH" factor to prove its worth doing, so buy it and try it. Is there a better response that you are looking for, besides "Try it, you may like it"?

There is no concrete in opinions, son..........

**generator** · 05-28-2007, 04:50 PM

There would be a better response "besides "Try it, you may like it"?" - that would be the response of someone who has tried it before...
That's what I was aiming for.

I will leave a post here if I eventually have the chance to do it!

**acoustic_cloud** · 05-28-2007, 05:57 PM

Fair 'nuff. Sorry for the rant.

**Blue Bear Sound** · 06-01-2007, 10:21 AM

When people talk about "analog sound" - they're talking about 15/30 ips 1/2" or 2" multitrack... not really 1/4" at 7.5 ips....

The only thing you're likely to get is a lot of noise.... unless you have a 1/2" R2R, you'll probably be saving yourself a lot of hassle by simply using a tape simulation plug-in.

**generator** · 06-01-2007, 10:40 AM

that's what I was thinking...
I just tried a IR plugin, with a 1/2" Studer IR file, and at first I thought it had too much noise on it, although i tried it on every track, and the result was pretty amazing...in a good way!
I'd like to try that with a 2"!!!!!!

05-27-2007, 01:05 PM	#1
generator Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lisbon Posts: 18	Getting tracks into 1/4" tape and back...? What do you guys think about routing recorded tracks to a 1/4" tape recorder, and re recording them to digital, before mixing!??

05-27-2007, 02:16 PM	#2
acoustic_cloud The one and only! Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 725	I have read where some have good results by doing this. I wish I had my decks back sometimes, so I could try it out without the expense of buying one to tinker with. If you have decent enough adda, you probably would not lose noticeable fidelity going back and forth, but I dont think it would sound totally "tape" either, since its being used as an effect instead of a rec0ording medium. If you already have the deck, go for it man! try all things is what I say. Thats how you learn. But remember, because of varying tape speeds, you can really only run a final mix to it and back, instead of seperate tracks. Is it possible to stick a hardware comp in between and do it at the same time? __________________ www.acoustic-cloud.com http://www.myspace.com/acousticcloudstudios http://www.myspace.com/guitarlessonsinriversideca

05-27-2007, 02:25 PM	#3
generator Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lisbon Posts: 18	i don't have the decks...that's the problem! I think you can use the comp also...I don't see why not! What do you mean about the vari speed of the decks? You get phase problems? My problem is: I don't have the deck! That's why I'm asking...! If anyone has it, and can try it, please do and let us know, maybe it's worth getting one!

05-27-2007, 02:55 PM	#4
acoustic_cloud The one and only! Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 725	What I meant was, my original idea with this was recording to tape first, and then playing them seperately into DAW tracks. This would not work from what I heard, because of tape speed being slightly varied in matching the tracks up after they were all done. I have wanted to incorporate a deck into my studio for a while now, and I keep hitting brick walls as far as efficiency/compatibility is concerned. If your investment isnt a whole lot on the deck, I say do it. It may pan out to be a much cooler investment than a new mic at the same price. Also, if its a decent deck, you can always flip it for a bit less, or sometimes even a bit more. __________________ www.acoustic-cloud.com http://www.myspace.com/acousticcloudstudios http://www.myspace.com/guitarlessonsinriversideca

05-28-2007, 05:57 PM	#8
acoustic_cloud The one and only! Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 725	Fair 'nuff. Sorry for the rant. __________________ www.acoustic-cloud.com http://www.myspace.com/acousticcloudstudios http://www.myspace.com/guitarlessonsinriversideca

05-27-2007, 06:38 PM	#5
generator Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lisbon Posts: 18	I still don't understand the problem about sending it to digital...Lot's of studios do it...! There's something in you explanation that I'm not getting...! So: -if we got a multitrack tape rec, record everything on it and go to digital after, that's totally fine. -if we got a 2 track tape rec, the only way I can see it to be possible, is recording on digital, but, sending it trough tape first, and recording the output of the tape rec that goes POST tape...do you know what I mean...I don't know how to call that output. That's my question...will it work...??

05-28-2007, 04:50 PM	#7
generator Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lisbon Posts: 18	There would be a better response "besides "Try it, you may like it"?" - that would be the response of someone who has tried it before... That's what I was aiming for. I will leave a post here if I eventually have the chance to do it!

06-01-2007, 10:21 AM	#9
Blue Bear Sound Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada Posts: 22	When people talk about "analog sound" - they're talking about 15/30 ips 1/2" or 2" multitrack... not really 1/4" at 7.5 ips.... The only thing you're likely to get is a lot of noise.... unless you have a 1/2" R2R, you'll probably be saving yourself a lot of hassle by simply using a tape simulation plug-in. __________________ "I can see your point, but I still think you're full of crap." bruce valeriani - mix engineer - blue bear sound

06-01-2007, 10:40 AM	#10
generator Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lisbon Posts: 18	that's what I was thinking... I just tried a IR plugin, with a 1/2" Studer IR file, and at first I thought it had too much noise on it, although i tried it on every track, and the result was pretty amazing...in a good way! I'd like to try that with a 2"!!!!!!

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