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Magic and mystery of master tape

I keep hearing the phrase closest to master tape. The fact that it is the closest thing to neutrality, and the best 'reference' that said who actually has master tapes? who can get their hands on them? how do you get them? Has anyone audiophile got proper access to them?
I ask this because people keep saying their system sounds like master tape of x or y recording, but is this simple bluff - ie is it just a journalistic phrase from those saying that what they have have heard is neutral? or is it a genuine comparison?
I only say this as I can recall about one or two occasions at shows where I have heard master tape, and that is it - even then it was of rather obscure material/music.
Surely digital masters are more readily available? That being the case surely modern/current digital recordings are the closest to the master/ master tape.
This is a genuine question of curiosity that I would be grateful if someone will kindly shed some light on. Thanks.
lohanimal
mikelavigne
2,199 posts
 
added note; most of my master dubs have 2 reels for one album; some titles have 4 reels. so my 150 'titles' likely equal 250+ reels.

when buying tapes you are going to pay 'per reel'.

tapes are not cheap. however; if you compare the entry fee to tapes with the very top level vinyl the vinyl hardware will cost you much, much, more to really play at the top level and approach the performance level of tapes.

it depends on how many tapes one might plan to own how that would work out.
electroslacker
375 posts
 
So, as more high-res albums are offered for download, there seems to be a question regarding how high the resolution of the source can ever be. If master analog tapes were archived digitally, what was that resolution? Where's the weakest link in the album's history,especially the older ones?
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
The degradation of tape i was referring to is the 40 or 50 year old masters and dubs, usually produced by major labels. Poor storage conditions, temperature, humidity are factors and they're usually put in a room not setup for archiving. Or sent to a warehouse and not even cataloged.

I,ve seen the recording side of tapes flaking off and it was hit or miss trying to dub down a 2 inch tape to 1/2 inch for preservation. The old tape decks also put a lot of wear on the tapes during a recording session.
mikelavigne
2,199 posts
 
Lowrider,

I've had a few dozen older vintage tapes in the past, seen the 'sticky shed' and related issues, and after trying to mess with them I returned them to the seller as I realized that was not the part of the hobby I was prepared to deal with.

those tapes were likely recoverable by someone with the requisite patience, skills and tools. i'd rather just get the modern formulation dub from those efforts.

one problem is that the transports they were originally recorded on are not the most tape friendly. later master recorders had much advanced levels of tape handling.

i'm a plug and play kinda guy and the reality is that if you commit sufficient assets to tape it can be real world easy to use and sound superb.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Mike, i love the world of reel to reel. I worked in the studio, but must be a joy for you to have good gear and good quality sources at home.
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