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RU recording LPs on Reel to Reel ?

or is this just O-U-T?

I'm appreciating analogue more than ever with my new setup and want to record some of these LPs but on to what? I'm interested to know what your thoughts are between reel to reel sound and the sound from a cdr, perhaps through a computer with a good capture card and an EQ program or whatever's best digitally.

Even if reel-to-reel comes closer to the analogue sound of an LP, is the benefit minor allowing ease-of-use to tip the scales towards digital? Right now the glamour factor is telling me to go out and get a tape deck and the fear factor is telling me to stick with what i know.

I was surprised that a search here didn't pull up some posts on this subject...which makes me think reel-reel is just out except for pro engineering.

(Really, it's just jumping up to turn over these LPs that's getting me a bit ...jumpy.)
kublakhan
aida_w
308 posts
 
I used to record LP's on to a REVOX machine. At the time to have continuous playback for a longer time than any LP could offer, plus I didn't buy every LP but got some from friends for recording. I don't have the Dolby version of the Revox machine hence there was an increase of hiss in every recording - even with the high speed. Today I definitely wouldn't tolerate this hiss anymore. I'd go out and buy a real good turntable/arm/cartridge ensemble - I am looking for exactly that at the moment - and keep the tape machine in the closet for some games at times...
Good luck!
newbee
4,768 posts
 
Before CD's I use to tape my LP's using a 10 1/2" R to R so I could have background and casual listening music without wearing out valuable LP's. Now I have CD's for that purpose I no longer use tapes at all, and when I listen to LP's its a special sit down and pay attention session.
kublakhan OP
718 posts
 

Thanks for the comments so far. I get the message but I can't help feeling disappointed. Those old decks look so nice.

Newbee, I agree; listening to vinyl really makes me pay attention. It only now dawns on me that this, above preferring the sound of analogue, is what's getting me so into the music once again.

TT or not, it's time to just listen.
pmkalby
130 posts
 
I know of a basement closet about 3 feet deep, 4 feet wide and 7 feet tall lined wall to wall with carefully labeled and well-recorded reel-to-reel tapes. The tapes were carefully made from LPs in the 60's and early 70's.

They have all bled through and are now unlistenable.

Go with CD. Get a Meridian A to D converter and a burner with a digital input, perhaps.
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,633 posts
 
Hi Dennis:

Reel to reel "can" end up being an expensive venture, but it's cool looking and sounds great if done correctly. For quality sound you need to record @ high speed, which uses up lots of tape.

Another consideration is either finding the deck in top condition, or having it properly refurbished by someone who knows what they are doing.

However, if you are only looking for occasional low speed playback/background music for the novelty of it you do not have to be as fussy.

Even though I have not owned a reel to reel for 25 years I still collect pre-recorded and blank tape in the event that I eventually pick up another one for background music.

If you know people in the recording industry, ask around as you might be able to find a nice R2R that is no longer being used.

If you want to try recording LP's to CD you are welcome to borrow our Pioneer PDR-W839. I have never tried it in A/D format (just D/D, so far), but do plan to burn most of our French popular music LP's to CD in the future (along with some Disco cassettes:-).

Another interesting storage medium is Digital Audio Tape. I believe that its use is still popular in Asia. I used DAT pro gear once in 1989 or 1990 (which sounded good), not certain about the consumer grade gear though.
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