Would this be used for tape saturation?

http://iowacity.craigslist.org/ele/1887179771.html

Can this be used for tape saturation? I somewhat confused on the process, but if this is capable it may be a good deal

not sure, just make sure the tape deck has RCA output. some sony stereo setups like that use this odd ribbon cable that you must connect to the reciever through the cd player etc... just make sure it has RCA outputs.

alright cool. And would i then take the said rca outs and plug them into an interface, an then back into the computer?

briskisgoodforu wrote:http://iowacity.craigslist.org/ele/1887179771.html

Can this be used for tape saturation? I somewhat confused on the process, but if this is capable it may be a good deal

If I were you and knowing what I know now, I wouldn't waste my money on that. To achieve good tape characteristics, you must record through a real multitrack tape recorder rather than utilizing some tape decks' circuitry. Though I'm not saying not to do what you're doing, but making a point towards making a sound decision.

If you were to use that deck, you would only get a taste of the electronics instead of the real deal (if that). Is it that grimey sound or something you're after?

Anyhow, I say this from experience...I still own but no longer use my 8 track tascam for multitrack recording cause I prefer using a daw these days.

Some multitrack daw programs feature (although artificial) a tape staturation plugin/effect that gives a smooth edge to your sound.

that stereo can be used for tape saturation, but you cannot expect much - i would not pay more than 20 dollars for it.
better look for a used standalone tape deck of higher quality - these can be bought for dirt cheap because noone uses compact cassettes anymore.

also you can try using a vcr - preferably some betamax recorder if you find one (and some good cassettes) because they had the best sound of the three systems (betamax/vhs/video2000).

but as dab said you would get better results if you get a real reel to reel tape machine - it must not be a multitrack - a stereo machine is enough for one track at a time.

maybe you find one at a thrift store or a garage sale.

to be absolute clear on the process: to get tape saturation you have to record your sound to the tape and then play it back from the tape to record it into your daw again - just connecting a tape recorder and then recording the monitor outs of it is not the same! this signal will only have tape saturation if the machine can record and playback through the tape at the same time. most cheap hifi tape decks only have a combined record/playback head and another head to erase the tape.

peace, jo

Thanks guys. Yeah i wasn't exactly sure how the process worked, so thanks for clarifying. I just was interested in the sound after hearing a before and after and seeing how much better something sounded. I would do a a plugin, but they're rather expensive, i'll just look for a good deal somewhere, I'm in no hurry.

look online, a lot of free ones out there... well also you could go the torrent route too. But check google for free ones because there are loads of freeware ones.

Dont know why.. but i will share something i use, not in full detail ( wouldnt ne fun if you couldnt discover all of it ) some times i record into..... get ready for it... a vcr !! Yes i said it a vcr. The tape on a vcr will use its own limit settings and give a very unique twist to some sounds. Just play back and sample like vinal in the mpc..

ghosty wrote:Dont know why.. but i will share something i use, not in full detail ( wouldnt ne fun if you couldnt discover all of it ) some times i record into..... get ready for it... a vcr !! Yes i said it a vcr. The tape on a vcr will use its own limit settings and give a very unique twist to some sounds. Just play back and sample like vinal in the mpc..

VCR technology lead to the birth of Adat's modular digital multitrack system & dat tape. But even before that, katz were using vcr's as another two track medium if they couldn't afford a highend reel 2 reel system.

Why are you so smart!!! Hehe you are a zin master of music..1 sec i muat remove foot feom mouth now..

ghosty wrote:Why are you so smart!!! Hehe you are a zin master of music..1 sec i muat remove foot feom mouth now..

Well...I've lived it, read it, & practice this art. That's why I can agree with what you're saying 'cause I've been there done that so to speak. Not brag'n or anything of that nature, just passing on some history so everybody can be on one accord with this thing.

Got started in the mid-late 70's and been a part of this thing ever since.

Just to clarify. You can record audio on a VHS or Betamax in 2 different ways.

1st, as was mentioned in a previous post above, via the analogue inputs which record the audio on the Hi Fi tracks of video tape. This is analogue recording (within the boundaries of the tape!)

2nd, using a PCM adaptor such as the Sony F1 system. This is digital encoding.

The former may give you some extra noise but I wouldn't go as far as to say it was saturated tape or "warmth". Reason being, as was mentioned before, you are going through completely different stages than a conventional tape machine (audio tape) and tape formulation is different also.

The latter will not give you any of this as you are encoding the signal straight to PCM. It relies on decoding at the other side.

Worth noting - many of these machines will use emphasis in the form of the EIAJ curve to correctly print to tape. So, should you record on one of these and digitally extract your recordings, you will need to de-emphasise in order to recover your original frequencies.

The Waves Q10 plugin has a preset specifically for this.

To the OP: That cassette deck will be a waste of space and money. Save up and buy a proper Reel to Reel - preferably Studer (they just work better) but Revox (PR99, B77) are good too. Keep in mind you will need to align it to the brand of tape you are using to get the best performance. Should you decide to play back tape recorded on another machine, you will need to invest in some test tapes (not cheap!!!!). Azimuth control for this will be a necessity.

Wait, while all that stuff is true.... does the OP have those goals in mind or does he just want a cheap 10 dollar way to make low quality drum sounds?

Drinks wrote:Just to clarify. You can record audio on a VHS or Betamax in 2 different ways.

1st, as was mentioned in a previous post above, via the analogue inputs which record the audio on the Hi Fi tracks of video tape. This is analogue recording (within the boundaries of the tape!)

2nd, using a PCM adaptor such as the Sony F1 system. This is digital encoding.

The former may give you some extra noise but I wouldn't go as far as to say it was saturated tape or "warmth". Reason being, as was mentioned before, you are going through completely different stages than a conventional tape machine (audio tape) and tape formulation is different also.

The latter will not give you any of this as you are encoding the signal straight to PCM. It relies on decoding at the other side.

Worth noting - many of these machines will use emphasis in the form of the EIAJ curve to correctly print to tape. So, should you record on one of these and digitally extract your recordings, you will need to de-emphasise in order to recover your original frequencies.

The Waves Q10 plugin has a preset specifically for this.

To the OP: That cassette deck will be a waste of space and money. Save up and buy a proper Reel to Reel - preferably Studer (they just work better) but Revox (PR99, B77) are good too. Keep in mind you will need to align it to the brand of tape you are using to get the best performance. Should you decide to play back tape recorded on another machine, you will need to invest in some test tapes (not cheap!!!!). Azimuth control for this will be a necessity.

i cant try this here, so im asking: if you record audio on the video channel (yellow rca), and listen to the playback via the yellow rca.. will the signal have been changed?

If you are talking about the emphasis then its only in the digital domain. Analogue output compensates.

You would take your video signal out from your PCM Encoder into your S/PDIF.

Colours on cables are just that. They're the same cables.