How to integrate analog tape with your DAW Part 1

[Domers81]

Are you now using the Anamod ATS-1?

[cprostudio]

thanks very much for posting this vid, could you possibly recommend a couple of tape machines?

[earhythmic]

Very cool! Can't wait to try this!

on a side note: I think it's ironic that all these high end studio/tip/gear review videos always have really bad audio.

[renelemieux]

blips sound so much better when dumped to tape

[salgvegas]

Can't wait to try this out. The one thing I wasn't clear on is how you measured the difference between the two bleeps. How does one go about coming up with that latency correction number for voxengo? Thanks

[redwagonstudio]

@salgvegas

You need to use the range selection tool in your DAW. Set your ruler to show samples as the unit of measure. If you select a range from the transient zero-crossing of one bleep to the other then look on the ruler for the length of that selection range. Take that number and divide by the sample rate (44100, 48000, etc.). You can also just note the cursor position (in samples) of both zero crossings and subtract one from the other with a calculator. Then divide by sample rate.

[salgvegas]

@redwagonstudio  Brilliant! Thank You!

[Madmenacrossthewater]

Thanks for posting this!!! So helpful? I have two Akai 4 track reel to reels I've been wanting to incorporate into my MAC based logic setup. I was wondering if someone could answer a question, in regards to figuring the tapes delay for voxengo, Could I just record two tracks simultaneously, one digital, one tape, then measure their distance to input this into Voxengo? In my mind this seems easiest, I'll be trying soon, I hope it works.

[redwagonstudio]

@Madmenacrossthewater

You could use an analog source to figure out the delay if you want. The key is to have the same number of conversions happening in both signal paths. In my video I'm using a pre-recorded "click" sound. So the signal goes DA to AD and DA to tape to AD. If you start with a microphone and someone hitting drum sticks together you are just skipping the DA part of the calculation. But you should get the same result.

[bilbomarks]

Although I liked this video, I could answer your first question. Money, efficiency, workflow and space constraints.

[crashdog5866]

What you guys are explaining is reproducing with the sel-rep head. Very bad idea. The repro head is much higher fidelity. Sel-Rep is only for reference when you're tracking

[MrJonathanjonathan]

@crashdog5866

 what? are these guys using sel-repro or not? please elaborate. very interested... thanks man

[MrJonathanjonathan]

I think I figured it, the sell repro is the sync head. right? you guys are using the repro which is the best way, nice work!



[Vanjal]

Why would you use TAPE anyway ? It's buried in history for a reason.

[Meteotrance]

you right emulate the sound of a tape it's like emulate vynile with a plug in or analog synth with software, it's not the same universe.

we must used the real analog stuff for analog feel.

[RainKingRecording]

Why don't you guys lock your DAW to your tape machine with SMPTE?

[redwagonstudio]

@RainKingRecording

That wouldn't be same thing. The tape deck isn't used as a storage medium here. It's just a glorified tone box.

[crashdog5866]

@redwagonstudio How the hell wouldn't that be the same thing. It would be better cause you could use the repro head.

[redwagonstudio]

That wouldn't be same thing. The tape deck isn't used as a storage medium here. It's just a glorified tone box.

[larryseyer]

I cut tons of records on a JH 110 8 Track just like the one you show here...

In fact, I found you because I was looking for a 1 inch tape guide for my MCI JH-24.

Any ideas where I could get 1 inch tape guides?

larryseyer d com

[redwagonstudio]

@larryseyer

I would contact Chris Mara or Randy Blevins for MCI parts. Or Steve Saddler.

[simplekidstuff]

you think this is possible with an 8 track cassette portastudio (tascam 488)?? not sure how to get the signal off the repro head while recording at the same time. anyone?

[redwagonstudio]

@simplekidstuff

I don't believe this is possible with the Tascam 488.

[Salinthezone]

Awesome! Can't wait to try this.

[eneailConte]

Amatoriaaaalllll

[tcataldo1979]

You guys are great. Thanks for your work putting this together.

[WhoKilledBambi2]

great video thanks

[RobinD2204]

I want to sync cubase SX to a Tascam atr 60 8-Track reel to reel. Cubase sends out a smpte code how do you get the tape machine to act as a slave? Do you know?

[redwagonstudio]

@RobinD2204

I don't have a clue about SMPTE. You may want to post your question on Gearslutz.

[vincedog3]

great video, I love the analog of tape. Since I was 5 I wanted a reel to reel for its sound and goodness. I have 2 Teac and 1 Tascam 52 master deck. I want another Otari, love the sound. I haven't decided if I want a multi track machine, but I love the 2 track analog sound best. Nice to see some keeping the analog faith alive. By the way, I am almost 50 so my analog faith is hardened indeed.

[petersedin]

@vincedog3

wow..since you were five ears old?? before that digital:)