Recording to a tape deck

Would recording my beats to a tape deck make my beat sound quality more "colorful", warmer and kinda dirtier? I'm using MPC1k and not really diggin the sound. Anyone here doing it and your thoughts on it? What kind of tape recorder would be the best? Something thats relatively cheap and easy to get.

its not going to change the sound that much, it may give it a bit of a difference, but if your looking for that warmer sound, you'll need some kind of mixer with eq or a type of filter or even get something like a sp 303 or something and record into that and use its effects...you'll definetly hear a difference in warmth that way.

also the better the samples you start with the easier/better it will be for you to achieve the sound you're looking for.

i've got an old hitachi cassette deck and just bought a tape for it and i record into it every now and then.

I run all of my stuff through a SP 303 and really enjoy the sound of it on my 1000.

Yes it will I just I just finished my new instrumental album using a tape deck and you can tell the difference.

Yes it will I just I just finished my new instrumental album using a tape deck and you can tell the difference.

n4l wrote:Would recording my beats to a tape deck make my beat sound quality more "colorful", warmer and kinda dirtier? I'm using MPC1k and not really diggin the sound. Anyone here doing it and your thoughts on it? What kind of tape recorder would be the best? Something thats relatively cheap and easy to get.

Depends on the type of tape you use. I'm not massively experienced but most cheap decks are simply going to muddy up the sound, and probably reduce the low and top end a bit.

Basically the more space each track has on the tape the better clarity you will get. So if you get yourself an 8-track with 1/4" tape I don't imagine it will sound fantastic. Words like dirty, colourful and warm are a bit subjective.

You also need to consider the regular maintenance and cleaning of the deck, which is equally as important. Head alignment, head wear, belts, motors, cleaning etc...

I think there's a few people on here who use the Akai 4000DB/DS series. I've seen them in Studio Pics anyway. They seem like good solid little decks, and because they were made in such large amounts spares are easy to get hold of. Although I believe the later GX series had slightly longer lasting heads.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar10/articles/taperecorderadvice.htm

Have a read of this article. It may be helpful!

I can't speak for tape decks (which might be a better/cheaper option), but as far as reel to reel machines go...

If you want to do it right, it's not something cheap.
Those machines are usually about 30 years old. They need servicing and many parts in the audio circuits need replacing (old capacitors that are burnt out... which adds noise, etc). You also gotta decide on what tape to use and get the machine aligned to that tape (really not that many to choose from, since not many companies still make tape... RMG comes to mind).

If you find a machine, the big question is how the condition of the tape heads is... if they are worn out, you'll need to buy new ones, and if you find them, they will cost as much as you paid for the machine, if not more (tape machines with bad heads usually sell for very cheap and are considered as "spare parts").

Generally speaking, if you go for a reel to reel machine, i would stay away from japanese machines and go for a revox/studer model (b77 mkII 2 track, or even better pr99), Tascam made some good machines as well. The japanese models are known to be built quite complex and be a PITA for servicing... they are more of a consumer product not intended to be seriously serviced... In comparison, a revox/studer is built way more accessible and there's no problem with finding spare parts either (which is another issue with japanese models).

No matter what type of reel to reel you get, it will have to be serviced properly (and maintained properly as well after that), or it WILL NOT sound as it's supposed to.

Thanks for the accurate answers, guys!
After reading the article you (Scooby) linked and Jibber's text and checking the price of Akai 4000DB from eBay I think I'd rather go for the SP-303.
Both machines go for about $250 in eBay and I think the SP-303 would be less PIMA after I have learned how to use it AND I could use it for many other things too.
But If I somehow win the lottery this week, I might buy them both lol.. but I wouldn't hold my breath for it

DJ TEKNIK wrote:Yes it will I just I just finished my new instrumental album using a tape deck and you can tell the difference.

What kind of tape deck? Brand, model?

And oh, Scooby where did you get your REC GAIN/MAIN VOLUME wheel from :O Looks so hot, me want!

Glad you enjoyed the article, SOS are always very good. You should be able to find a 4000DB much cheaper than that, I've seen them go for peanuts on American eBay. Even over here in the UK they're only going for about £100. Just have to keep your eye out. One went this morning for about £40 I think.

I actually made it myself today. If you look in my signature there's a link to the topic. I'll hopefully have a few for sale once I've figured out how to create an internet shop. I might even just pop them on my eBay account, although I'd rather not have to pay their dreaded fees every time.

If you aren't happy with the sound from your MPC, I would focus more on EQing your samples before they go into the 1000.

If you're mixing down and want to change the sounds, I would get a plugin like Studer A800 instead of using a SP-303 but that's just me.

http://www.uaudio.com/store/special-pro ... order.html

n4l wrote:Thanks for the accurate answers, guys!
After reading the article you (Scooby) linked and Jibber's text and checking the price of Akai 4000DB from eBay I think I'd rather go for the SP-303.
Both machines go for about $250 in eBay and I think the SP-303 would be less PIMA after I have learned how to use it AND I could use it for many other things too.
But If I somehow win the lottery this week, I might buy them both lol.. but I wouldn't hold my breath for it

DJ TEKNIK wrote:Yes it will I just I just finished my new instrumental album using a tape deck and you can tell the difference.

What kind of tape deck? Brand, model?

And oh, Scooby where did you get your REC GAIN/MAIN VOLUME wheel from :O Looks so hot, me want!

Go 303, it's my favorite sampler I own.