Tape.

stumbled on this today... cost me 2 bucks at my local recycling depot. everything works nice on it.... super sick.

^Nice score man!

SEANSTATIC wrote:stumbled on this today... cost me 2 bucks at my local recycling depot. everything works nice on it.... super sick.

Is it a 3 head machine?

m56p87 wrote:With tape, everything is a trade off.

Not necessarily. Not all types of tape with all types of machine will sound lofi. In a lot of instances, tape can really help beef up a mix, rather than having a really stale and thin digital mix that leaves you scrambling to find an EQ method that will make it sound thicker. Tape can really warm up a sound.

think i may have just scored a Akai GX-77 - guys giving it a clean and seeing if it works

will post pics if (when ) it arrives!

peeping tom wrote:think i may have just scored a Akai GX-77 - guys giving it a clean and seeing if it works

will post pics if (when ) it arrives!

Oooh.

Here's an example of two of my beats i did with the MPC60 and recorded to tape... the first one is from when the tape machine was not serviced, with old tape. The second one is after the machine was serviced (cleaned, adjusted, new capacitators, etc). It kinda gives you an idea how important it is to service a tape machine from time to time... (even tho it's not a great comparison, because the beats are not the same). But still, listen how lo-fi the first one sounds, and pay attention to flutter and wow-effect, then listen the 2nd one and you notice how hi-fi it sounds in comparison.

jibber wrote:Here's an example of two of my beats i did with the MPC60 and recorded to tape... the first one is from when the tape machine was not serviced, with old tape. The second one is after the machine was serviced (cleaned, adjusted, new capacitators, etc). It kinda gives you an idea how important it is to service a tape machine from time to time... (even tho it's not a great comparison, because the beats are not the same). But still, listen how lo-fi the first one sounds, and pay attention to flutter and wow-effect, then listen the 2nd one and you notice how hi-fi it sounds in comparison.

Yeah, the first one is definitely a lot flatter and more washed out. Although, it has that distinct slow wow that you get from reel to reel, which I like. But the second mix sounded much more punchier and crisp. Definitely liking the sound of the second one.

bearhead wrote:. Tape can really warm up a sound.

No shit, but you sacrifice some qualities to get that "warmness" usually being contrast in your mid range and of course your high frequencies. Once again, a trade off in what you prefer. I prefer the integrity of my mix over the warm quality of my reel to reel for a master bounce. I think your misunderstanding my experience with tape....

I just picked up an Akai GXC 704D .

so far from what i can tell it's mint, heads look good and it's sold with original manual and packaging. looking like a good find. the only cassettes i have are from old rave tape packs so i'm going to give it a test later on.

it's got RCA in and out so i was hoping to just run some tracks ( snares and hats? etc) out to it, record on to tape, then record off again back into Logic.
any thoughts on this process and which tape to try ?

m56p87 wrote:

bearhead wrote:. Tape can really warm up a sound.

No ****, but you sacrifice some qualities to get that "warmness" usually being contrast in your mid range and of course your high frequencies. Once again, a trade off in what you prefer. I prefer the integrity of my mix over the warm quality of my reel to reel for a master bounce. I think your misunderstanding my experience with tape....

If your mixes aren't coming out correctly, consider having your machine serviced or getting a new tape. Also, you can always bring things back up with EQ... I don't really see how it'd be much of a loss.

harry.ethics wrote:I just picked up an Akai GXC 704D .

so far from what i can tell it's mint, heads look good and it's sold with original manual and packaging. looking like a good find. the only cassettes i have are from old rave tape packs so i'm going to give it a test later on.

it's got RCA in and out so i was hoping to just run some tracks ( snares and hats? etc) out to it, record on to tape, then record off again back into Logic.
any thoughts on this process and which tape to try ?

First off, clean the heads! There might be some particles on the head that you can't see. You can use 91% isopropyl alcohol (I wouldn't go any lower than 91%) and a q-tip. I use that on all my machines, and it works just fine.

One of the best cassettes I've ever used, and still use quite a lot, is a BASF CR E II 90 cassette. I got one off of ebay some months ago, still in its wrapping. So it was pretty much a brand new cassette from '85. Maxell XLII's are good, but they have a higher sensitivity, and you can't really drive those tapes too hard. But really, what matters most is the machine more than the tape. If it has an adjustable bias, you can adjust it for that specific tape you're using.

bearhead wrote: If your mixes aren't coming out correctly, consider having your machine serviced or getting a new tape. Also, you can always bring things back up with EQ... I don't really see how it'd be much of a loss.

its a personal preference Im sharing here/I dont need tips on how to use my machine man, i dont know how much clearer I can make that

tape usually sucks when you are forced to use it... but when it's an option.. it's sweet.

tracked this out last night, sorry i didnt do another straight to the PC for comparisons, i EQ'd the beat as best i could on the desk before running it to tape and recording a stereo track in reaper..........

the sample had a high end i didnt quite like prior to bouncing, really dug how the tape kinda bought everything back together again.




Sanyo dual cassette deck and TDK 90 tape.