Well the tape IS no longer playable. It's a 4 year old roll of RMGI LPR-35 and the tape is already disintegrating. the older Maxells and Quantegys of course are holding up jus fine.
@mrfoxboy : Absolutely. Some guys are cheering on the RMGI tape just because it's new, not because it's necessarily better. I don't really trust them any more.
@X2000R I can even say I have some reels of budget RTR tape (Viking, Realistic) as well as some good brand tape (maxell, scotch) that have lasted 30-40 years in some cases, and will play clear as a bell
I saw a sony reel to reel at a thrift but I didnt buy it, it was MINT and had 2 Sony ALNICO speakers with it I think it worked too.. it was a direct drive unit.
Reel to reel units are more a thing of luxury rather than convenience like a tape deck cd player or mp3 player. Kinda like what a cigarette is compared to a cigar.
"Whenever you watch 'Classic Albums' on VH1 Classic (except for some of those shot overseas), it's all computer."
I thought most of them were done (like Steely Dan Aja) with the analog multitrack tapes moved to what looked like a Sony DASH digital multi-track. I'm sure they probably didn't want to play the original multitracks. Also the Iron Maiden Number of the Beast one looked like that too. It may have been done outside the U.S. though.
playing it analog doesn't do nearly as much good as recording it analog. I dont see why its so inconvenient to record this way in professional studios. I guess it's because no one is good enough any more to play a whole track without messing up, needing protools and all that. sad :(. But it's nice to know that there is a rather substantial analog following underneath all this crap
ToastmachineIdiot--I totally agree with you there. Vinyl records are my choice of format too. One good thing about the vinyl format is that many new bands are issuing stuff on record for a limited time. Recording studios no longer use tape, do they? Whenever I take a look at pictures of recording studios today I see no open reel machines, just computers.
true... tape is essentially obsolete, but there are a few choice contemporary artists that apparently recorded with analog tape. If I ever get to record and release my own music, I hope to use analog tape for my mixing... and my vinyl releases will be mastered directly from the tape to avoid any ugly digital artifacts. Some new bands do put stuff out on vinyl, but many of these releases are mastered from the same digital compressed sources, which to me doesn't make too much of a difference.
Makes plenty of sense. That also explains why only 2 or three companies still manufacture open reel tape (and Maxell ceased production on it.) I wonder if any of these record companies kept any of the original masters? Whenever you watch 'Classic Albums' on VH1 Classic (except for some of those shot overseas), it's all computer. For me, as long as it's on record, I am perfectly happy.
yep. Quantegy and RMGI are the only companies that still make tape, I believe. Usually, most labels do preserve the original master tapes. In fact, CD's and Mp3's are sourced from them, but the mastering is what ruins them. They're compressed so much that everyting sounds like one uniform dynamic from beginning to end.
Regarding the Classic Albums Documentaries, they could actually be working from the original multitrack tape, but with a new digital mixer.
I agree. Actually, a few of those documentaries (like the John Lennon one) were using the tape masters. That explains why digital sounds the way it does. Thanks.
"Whenever you watch 'Classic Albums' on VH1 Classic (except for some of those shot overseas), it's all computer."
I thought most of them were done (like Steely Dan Aja) with the analog multitrack tapes moved to what looked like a Sony DASH digital multi-track. I'm sure they probably didn't want to play the original multitracks. Also the Iron Maiden Number of the Beast one looked like that too. It may have been done outside the U.S. though.
They range in price. This is a discontinued model. When these were sold brand new, they went anywhere from $1,000-$2,000. People sell them on eBay all the time and that's what they normally go for. This is one model I hope to be the proud owner of someday.
Space, there isn't much you can do. Though you may want to consider some kind of vertical rack mount setup. Although it's not very clear in my vid, I have employed that to a certain extent in my setup. As for tapes, they are out there. You just need to know where to look. You should visit my tape oriented website which I own and operate called TapeHeads "dot" net. Thanks for the comment.
No problem. It's also that it takes more time and care to load one (i can load one!) than cassette. I'm talking about the need to thread the tape through the capstans and over the head(s). It's so much easier to load a cassette: Put tape in, press play. Beside I mix to and from cassette for some mild DeeJaying.
Thank you. Then you my friend need to become a member of my virtual tape community. Please visit my site-which I own and operate-at TapeHeads "dot" net.
Okay, listen, unless you get a MASTER copy of a song from vinyl or some other lossless source, you're going to have digital garbage in your audio. The 44.1kHz limit of CDs kills a lot of audio harmonics. So getting your "master" copy from a CD is pointless.
But people who deny this are the same people who think $1000 audio cables are superior to $5 cables, and that wooden volume control knobs prevent distortion, and are worth an insane premium.
idk but the bass is extremly cool too and even hear alot of it but in real idk maybe 10 times better no surond can do that no digital device even a ipod cant do it like that thats high quality dude keep it insave really cool i wanna have one :)
woow just love this song and yeah this is so much cooler than mp3 and digital... cool awsome vid great ireally admire you for preserve good old tecnoligies awsome!!
So how about that need to "back up" all them compressed MP3 files?
That phrase "back up" doesn't even exist in the analog world. Not unless it's referring to going to the start of a previous track. No need to worry about 'upgrades' or 'compatibility' or any of that stuff that you are trading off for what you think is convenience. And don't EVEN get me started on the sound of a pure waveform versus a highly compressed bitstream.
Suprised the thing didnt blow up pumpin this new stuff though it...
shoprat17 11 months ago
@shoprat17 :
Well the tape IS no longer playable. It's a 4 year old roll of RMGI LPR-35 and the tape is already disintegrating. the older Maxells and Quantegys of course are holding up jus fine.
X2000R 10 months ago
@X2000R Because Maxell RTR and cassette tape is awesome
mrfoxboy 2 months ago
@mrfoxboy : Absolutely. Some guys are cheering on the RMGI tape just because it's new, not because it's necessarily better. I don't really trust them any more.
X2000R 2 months ago
@X2000R I can even say I have some reels of budget RTR tape (Viking, Realistic) as well as some good brand tape (maxell, scotch) that have lasted 30-40 years in some cases, and will play clear as a bell
mrfoxboy 2 months ago
Hi, I have no reel tapes to test my newly capstan belted x 2000r , do the tapes have to be on the unit for rr and ff to engage?
SmittyHeWasNumber1 1 year ago
I saw a sony reel to reel at a thrift but I didnt buy it, it was MINT and had 2 Sony ALNICO speakers with it I think it worked too.. it was a direct drive unit.
raymondleeleggs 1 year ago
Reel to reel units are more a thing of luxury rather than convenience like a tape deck cd player or mp3 player. Kinda like what a cigarette is compared to a cigar.
SmittyHeWasNumber1 1 year ago
i absolutely love reel to reel units. i have two of my own, but they aren't 10.5" compatible and they're from the mid-70s. cool machine.
Ziplock74 1 year ago
@Ziplock74 We're nearly in the same boat! I have one from 1977 (Pioneer RT-707) and I use it nearly-daily.
mrfoxboy 2 months ago
"Whenever you watch 'Classic Albums' on VH1 Classic (except for some of those shot overseas), it's all computer."
I thought most of them were done (like Steely Dan Aja) with the analog multitrack tapes moved to what looked like a Sony DASH digital multi-track. I'm sure they probably didn't want to play the original multitracks. Also the Iron Maiden Number of the Beast one looked like that too. It may have been done outside the U.S. though.
shstrang98 1 year ago
LOL! I hear ya! I just finished recording Tik Toc by Ke$ha on my Teac A6300. No way to post it though.
Artcurus 2 years ago
When I saw the Title, I laughed, and If i could spell it, you would laugh too. When I saw the video, I thought, "How cooooooolllll"
mikeb1444 2 years ago
playing it analog doesn't do nearly as much good as recording it analog. I dont see why its so inconvenient to record this way in professional studios. I guess it's because no one is good enough any more to play a whole track without messing up, needing protools and all that. sad :(. But it's nice to know that there is a rather substantial analog following underneath all this crap
EyMeng 2 years ago
Tape is the best, man. Digital's alright when yer on the go, but when I'm at home, it's LP's!
I just recently got a reel-to-reel deck and I'm using it for recording my band and my own works!
I just love the warm sound of tape and digital just sounds kinda flat in comparison
Plus, the loudness war mastering technique used in digital ruins the dynamics that make music so enjoyable
LONG LIVE ANALOG!!
ToastmachineIdiot 2 years ago 3
ToastmachineIdiot--I totally agree with you there. Vinyl records are my choice of format too. One good thing about the vinyl format is that many new bands are issuing stuff on record for a limited time. Recording studios no longer use tape, do they? Whenever I take a look at pictures of recording studios today I see no open reel machines, just computers.
Interests2009 2 years ago
true... tape is essentially obsolete, but there are a few choice contemporary artists that apparently recorded with analog tape. If I ever get to record and release my own music, I hope to use analog tape for my mixing... and my vinyl releases will be mastered directly from the tape to avoid any ugly digital artifacts. Some new bands do put stuff out on vinyl, but many of these releases are mastered from the same digital compressed sources, which to me doesn't make too much of a difference.
ToastmachineIdiot 2 years ago 3
Makes plenty of sense. That also explains why only 2 or three companies still manufacture open reel tape (and Maxell ceased production on it.) I wonder if any of these record companies kept any of the original masters? Whenever you watch 'Classic Albums' on VH1 Classic (except for some of those shot overseas), it's all computer. For me, as long as it's on record, I am perfectly happy.
Interests2009 2 years ago
yep. Quantegy and RMGI are the only companies that still make tape, I believe. Usually, most labels do preserve the original master tapes. In fact, CD's and Mp3's are sourced from them, but the mastering is what ruins them. They're compressed so much that everyting sounds like one uniform dynamic from beginning to end.
Regarding the Classic Albums Documentaries, they could actually be working from the original multitrack tape, but with a new digital mixer.
ToastmachineIdiot 2 years ago
I agree. Actually, a few of those documentaries (like the John Lennon one) were using the tape masters. That explains why digital sounds the way it does. Thanks.
Interests2009 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
"Whenever you watch 'Classic Albums' on VH1 Classic (except for some of those shot overseas), it's all computer."
I thought most of them were done (like Steely Dan Aja) with the analog multitrack tapes moved to what looked like a Sony DASH digital multi-track. I'm sure they probably didn't want to play the original multitracks. Also the Iron Maiden Number of the Beast one looked like that too. It may have been done outside the U.S. though.
shstrang98 1 year ago
how much does one of these cost?
brydon189 2 years ago
They range in price. This is a discontinued model. When these were sold brand new, they went anywhere from $1,000-$2,000. People sell them on eBay all the time and that's what they normally go for. This is one model I hope to be the proud owner of someday.
Interests2009 2 years ago
I'd like one like that but two things arise:
A. Space
B. Lack of media
For me, I'll just stick to cassette tape.
mrfoxboy 3 years ago
Space, there isn't much you can do. Though you may want to consider some kind of vertical rack mount setup. Although it's not very clear in my vid, I have employed that to a certain extent in my setup. As for tapes, they are out there. You just need to know where to look. You should visit my tape oriented website which I own and operate called TapeHeads "dot" net. Thanks for the comment.
X2000R 3 years ago
No problem. It's also that it takes more time and care to load one (i can load one!) than cassette. I'm talking about the need to thread the tape through the capstans and over the head(s). It's so much easier to load a cassette: Put tape in, press play. Beside I mix to and from cassette for some mild DeeJaying.
~Foxboy
mrfoxboy 3 years ago
X2000R--I wonder where you can get furniture of this nature from?
Another thing. Only about 2-3 companies still manufacture open reel tape, do they?
Interests2009 2 years ago
@X2000R You weren't kidding, I love my Otari. Good sound
mrfoxboy 1 year ago
so freaking coool.... i like my music in MP3 format.. and CDs... but the coolest formats are VINYL and these tapes.... its crazy!!!!!! iloveeee em
daniel2824 3 years ago
Thank you. Then you my friend need to become a member of my virtual tape community. Please visit my site-which I own and operate-at TapeHeads "dot" net.
X2000R 3 years ago
Urgh.
Okay, listen, unless you get a MASTER copy of a song from vinyl or some other lossless source, you're going to have digital garbage in your audio. The 44.1kHz limit of CDs kills a lot of audio harmonics. So getting your "master" copy from a CD is pointless.
But people who deny this are the same people who think $1000 audio cables are superior to $5 cables, and that wooden volume control knobs prevent distortion, and are worth an insane premium.
Also, the DAC in iPods is absolute trash.
Xiado 3 years ago 2
Xiado--Ack! Tell me about it. Recently, I got an iPod. Although I am a little hooked, I strongly agree with you. IPods sound even WORSE than CDs.
Interests2009 2 years ago
idk but the bass is extremly cool too and even hear alot of it but in real idk maybe 10 times better no surond can do that no digital device even a ipod cant do it like that thats high quality dude keep it insave really cool i wanna have one :)
soulmasterb 3 years ago
woow just love this song and yeah this is so much cooler than mp3 and digital... cool awsome vid great ireally admire you for preserve good old tecnoligies awsome!!
manezzzyo 3 years ago
yeah coming from someone that supports a format that every time you listen to it, it is damaged slightly more.?
erictarbox 3 years ago
Ummm...no. Not if you take care of it.
So how about that need to "back up" all them compressed MP3 files?
That phrase "back up" doesn't even exist in the analog world. Not unless it's referring to going to the start of a previous track. No need to worry about 'upgrades' or 'compatibility' or any of that stuff that you are trading off for what you think is convenience. And don't EVEN get me started on the sound of a pure waveform versus a highly compressed bitstream.
X2000R 3 years ago
I was referring to the vinyl problem.
erictarbox 3 years ago
Matt, this is just sad...
Just IMHO.
turntablesrock 3 years ago
Great choice of music.
iabhornc 3 years ago
omg!! sooooooooo cool
HILARYFAN06 3 years ago