Reel-To-Reel Recording: Reel Talk

[Greenfuz]

I want to so so bad

but it's expensive man

[CBA]

Yeah, a lot of people have said "Analog is too much of a headache... it's costly, error-prone, 'hard to do', etc."... but that's why I'm interested. I have a genuine interest in it, and have the time and money. What else am I doing with my life?


C

[rustywire]

Yeah, a lot of people have said "Analog is too much of a headache... it's costly, error-prone, 'hard to do', etc."... but that's why I'm interested. I have a genuine interest in it, and have the time and money. What else am I doing with my life?


C

Headache: You're working with very real, finite resources and their limitations...so one has to 'make it count'
Costly: Supply/demand applies when dealing with commodities...and now obsolescence is a factor, which makes matters worse.
Error prone: What some users consider "errors" others will find ways to exploit to great effect.
Hard to do: Helps discourage and filter lazy riffraff, hacks and poseurs.

This can be attributed to the nature of the beast/cost of doing business....as well as excuses to justify going with "good enough" solutions.

However, these "cons" all contributed to the recording industry flourishing for decades; with people who were serious about their craft.
On the upswing of the bell curve was innovation striving for excellence. On the downside a push for convenience while maximizing returns.
There was a time when "Tape machine guy" was a legit job for a specialist. If you could keep a tape machine running and sounding great, you had steady work.

But *progress* isn't linear and will branch away at some point...leaving lost art behind and techniques forgotten.

Digital recording has its useful applications, but sounding like tape is not one of them AFAIC. If you want the sound of tape, use tape.

Longing to do one thing and settling for another is a sure path to festering misery.
To put it simply; whichever you choose to use, do what sounds good and have fun doing it.

As for the naysayers...

[CBA]

Yeah, a lot of people have said "Analog is too much of a headache... it's costly, error-prone, 'hard to do', etc."... but that's why I'm interested. I have a genuine interest in it, and have the time and money. What else am I doing with my life?


C

Headache: You're working with very real, finite resources and their limitations...so one has to 'make it count'
Costly: Supply/demand applies when dealing with commodities...and now obsolescence is a factor, which makes matters worse.
Error prone: What some users consider "errors" others will find ways to exploit to great effect.
Hard to do: Helps discourage and filter lazy riffraff, hacks and poseurs.

This can be attributed to the nature of the beast/cost of doing business....as well as excuses to justify going with "good enough" solutions.

However, these "cons" all contributed to the recording industry flourishing for decades; with people who were serious about their craft.
On the upswing of the bell curve was innovation striving for excellence. On the downside a push for convenience while maximizing returns.
There was a time when "Tape machine guy" was a legit job for a specialist. If you could keep a tape machine running and sounding great, you had steady work.

But *progress* isn't linear and will branch away at some point...leaving lost art behind and techniques forgotten.

Digital recording has its useful applications, but sounding like tape is not one of them AFAIC. If you want the sound of tape, use tape.

Longing to do one thing and settling for another is a sure path to festering misery.
To put it simply; whichever you choose to use, do what sounds good and have fun doing it.

As for the naysayers...

EXCELLENT.


C

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

[CBA]

I just bought a 388 from a dude in Detroit. Drove over there and the damn thing is in excellent shape. Got some tape thrown in with the deal too.

YYYYEEEEEAAAAHHHH.


C

[rustywire]

That's wsup!

[sonidero]

I just bought a 388 from a dude in Detroit.

Now you can be SF Psych... You're not helping my 202 gas Sticks, wish I was there...

[space6oy]

nice MFC-42 too. underrated filter IMO.

i was given an SP-202 in VSE's secret santa!

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

I just bought a 388 from a dude in Detroit.

Now you can be SF Psych... You're not helping my 202 gas Sticks, wish I was there...

dude they are the bomb! stupid limitations but i love mine.
too.

nice MFC-42 too. underrated filter IMO.

i was given an SP-202 in VSE's secret santa!

haha thats an awesome secret santa!
i love the MFC, really dope filter. i still have the whole kit that lets u rack it on top of the 2000xl.


soo also, the rubber on my roller is starting to get really gooey. first i thought it was just sticky from some shit that got on it while it was in storage, but after further investigation, it seems like the rubber is just like decomposing into slime.

anybody got any tips for this sort of thing?

[space6oy]

soo also, the rubber on my roller is starting to get really gooey. first i thought it was just sticky from some shit that got on it while it was in storage, but after further investigation, it seems like the rubber is just like decomposing into slime.

anybody got any tips for this sort of thing?

TWSS?

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

soo also, the rubber on my roller is starting to get really gooey. first i thought it was just sticky from some shit that got on it while it was in storage, but after further investigation, it seems like the rubber is just like decomposing into slime.

anybody got any tips for this sort of thing?

TWSS?

so someone kindly informed me that you're actually supposed to change rubbers from use to use?? i was just reusing mine over and over again...

on a serious note, think i need a whole new rubber roller tho. thing is gooey-er than a couple days ago! and its now sticking to the tape...not a good sign

[sun baked snow cave]

So I am finally looking into driving into the world of REEL.

I am looking basically for something to bounce my recorded audio to, so it will have some extra vintage ooomph and vibe.

My deal is I really don't know much about reel to reel's. There is always quite a few on my local craigslist so I have some choice at least.

I guess my first question would be is it a good idea to purchase a reel to reel just to bounce a final mix to for some extra vintagey vibeyness? If so how many tracks would I need, considering all of the mixing and mastering will be done? What do I need to pay attention to detail to when purchasing a reel to reel?

[CBA]

So I am finally looking into driving into the world of REEL.

I am looking basically for something to bounce my recorded audio to, so it will have some extra vintage ooomph and vibe.

My deal is I really don't know much about reel to reel's. There is always quite a few on my local craigslist so I have some choice at least.

I guess my first question would be is it a good idea to purchase a reel to reel just to bounce a final mix to for some extra vintagey vibeyness? If so how many tracks would I need, considering all of the mixing and mastering will be done? What do I need to pay attention to detail to when purchasing a reel to reel?

You'd only need a 2-track for that, and those are plentiful. The harder ones to come by are good 4 and 8 tracks. But for bouncing a final mix, you only need the two tracks. Get a good 1/4" or 1/2" 2-track and you'll be good to go for mixing. I want to do that myself, but it will be a while before my record is done. Until then, I'm just going to bring my stuff to a local dude who does mixing/mastering to tape.

If you want to multi-track, you'll need to look into 4, 8, 16, etc. But I don't know anything beyond 8-track because that's where my interest stops.

C

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

i do that all the time, bounce stereo tracks to the tape and back to the computer.

i would look out for, making sure the motor and belt is good (it turns well). overall look and cleanliness. is it super beat up? are the heads really dirty or gnarly? does the rubber look good or worn? do the buttons/switches/jacks work? are they clean? nothing worse than getting a working reel only to find out that the audio jacks are bogus.

i think those are the 3 majors, motor/belt, tape heads and rubber/guide pieces.

ask them to set it up for you and do a quick rundown if possible