2. analog
  3. 118926-1110

Reel to Reel uses -

My wife and I love to entertain.  It never ceases to surprise me how many will walk over to my stereo and stare at my Reel to Reel tape deck.  Some under the age of 35, will ask what it is? Others want to know why I have it, and what do I use it for?  Of course I answer their questions, but now it makes we wonder how others use their machines?  I have been following a couple of high end blogs that I really enjoy and see that one gentlemen uses his machine to play master tape copies.  I do this as well, but have no where near the selection that he does.  I make copies of my favorite LP's to play when guests are over, and also make my own master tapes using a couple of neuman's microphones.  I record small jazz trios and solo artists straight to the machine.  People are amazed at how 'real' these tapes sound.  My main reel to reel is a Pioneer RT-1050 high speed half track.  I have a second just like it that I use for the above mentioned site recordings.  I also have a ReVox B-77, a Sony TC-765, and a Crown 822, all half track machines.  Anyone out there making your own masters?

Norman
normansizemore
c1ferrari
464 posts
 
inna,
I was thinking the same thought, but now I am wondering.  When I last worked in a studio they were using two inch tape for 24 tracks at 30ips and then mixing the masters down to half track quater inch tape at 15ips.  
I would imagine that if you were recording live to half track half inch there would certainly be an advantage.  It's silly, I don't even know where I would put another machine, but I can't help thinking about it. =)
N
I've read that 16 tracks on 2" sounds quite fine!  Norman, was the studio recording primarily rock?

Sam
normansizemore OP
601 posts
 
Sam,
Yes definitely. They did have a 2" 16 track machine but that was in another studio.  The 24 track machine was an MCI, the 16 track machine was a Sony, but I don't remember which model.

I am wondering where you were able to find 1/2 inch masters, and who uses them?  I know that the old Studer 37 could be configured for 1/2 tape, but I think that was a four track machine.

Norman
c1ferrari
464 posts
 
Hi Norman,

Well, 1/2" masters/safety copies/dubs, etc. are catch as catch can!  From what I've read, 16-track Studer rec/rep heads are rather scarce.  An A827MCH outfitted with the aforementioned heads would be awesome!  :-)

Best,

Sam
normansizemore OP
601 posts
 
topoxfordoc,

And this is why those old companies (Sony, Studer, TEAC, Pioneer, AKAI, Tandberg, Nagra, Otari, etc., ) need to get back to manufacturing machines again.  If they could build one that was economical enough, those who love the analog sound would purchase such a machine.  That and the continued availability of second generations masters is what is needed for this to work.  At this time, it's better than it has been in years, but new machines are needed for this to take off like LP's have.

N.
inna
7,296 posts
 
If you think of it, open reel deck based analog set-up could be far less expensive than those ridiculously overpriced record playing rigs. $2k machine should sound excellent, and it doesn't have to be made in China. Make them in Poland or Czech Republic if Germany US or Japan are difficult. Switzerland is certainly difficult.
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