Does Primo know about 3.10?

i still use the 2.02 version, but sample/sequence in it half of the time...and then use it as a midi controller for the other half.

"Damn, how long is that in duration? 24 tracks damn... "

- enough to archive an lp on!

"Wouldn't it be possible to use it for mixing down on an analog console and clearing the reel after its mixed down to 2 tracks? So you can use one reel over and over untill its "dead"?"

- The purpose of a multi-track and a 2-trk is completely different. A multi-track is exactly what it sounds like.. a multi-track recorded. ie. your primary recording unit. A 2-trk is only used for mastering purposes (traditionally). ie. run the completed record mix down to 1/2" 2-trk.

You could continually use the same reel, I do. My philosophy is 1 reel per project, and perhaps a "bullsh*t" reel for experiments and tracks your just messing with. Erasing a tape over and over, and using it over and over, will eventually being to strip high frequencies. This also happens with storage. After the initial take, within say a month, all the sudden it looses about 2-4db's in the 18khz range. It only does this once though.

You can revive tape by "baking" it. Thiers special ovens you can use to literally bake the tape. But this isn't a trick that I really need to discuss at this point.

"Here's some more: Are you good with tape machines in general? I'd be interested in a saturation machine for my recordings. 2 or 4 track. Anything thats affordable? "

- I'm cool on tape machines 8) . Really man, running tape hot is something you can only fully appreciate on a larger format reel then 1/4", 1/2". Yea you can hit the tape harder on a reel then a cassette tape, or digital (which is always absolute 0 DB headroom, ie. you can never go above the 0 db noise ceiling), but it's not gonna be like 1" or 2" tape saturation. Anyhow, reels are one of those things that, if they're not maintained properly, and you don't bias the heads, and all these other factors, you just got a high noise floor and hissy recordings. Reels don't sound hissy. Listen to Illmatic, or any Premo cut. They just breathe life into recordings, smooth out high end transients, extend the low end, and glue everything together with an "airyness". With all that said (i'm rambling at this point), i'd shoot for a Tascam TSR range, Otari MX5050/MTR10/12 or Revox B77/B99?. Make sure when your purchasing a reel that it has record heads! Some machines are playback only which won't serve any purpose for you. Any of those brands and seties above should get you off in the right direction. They run anywhere from 300-650. Also, you should be able to hit the tape at least 6-10 db's if you run them hot. I'd imagine you'll get a butter sound thats close to what your looking for! (Ps. Otari has the most butter transport controls and heads.. I'd suggest them over all brands other then Studer.)

"lots of people are getting into tape now since the cost of the machines has gone down considerably. Some machines that would cost you 20 g's used 5 years ago are going for $2000. But maintenence and tape is where it can get expensive. "

- word. Tape machines are not for the faint of heart. If you don't intend to ether a. bust out the sodering iron, or b. hire a tech to maintainace your machine every 6 months to a year, don't even waste your time. This is more for the higher end machines though.. 1", 2". Most pro-sumer reels are pretty reliable and require nothing more then a demag and head cleaning every few sessions.

What really seperates the men from ladies though, is those of us who cut to tape, and thats it! No HDR's, no PC's, no nothing. Straight break out the editing block, marker tape, and razor blades. Have bandaides wrapped around 7 of my fingers like I slang mad cake!

I can't hang with cuttin tape, I waste too much time already. but as far as hitting tapew hard, the tape width isn't as important as track width, a 1" 16 track and a 1/2" 8 track will be pretty much the same, a 2" 16 track however...

I disagree. A 1" and 1/2" will sound signifigantly different. Their is so many factors that play into how hard you can hit tape. The main one, and the one your touching on is, the larger the tape width, and the small the track count, the more head room you get. Ie. A 1" or 2" 16-trk will be fatter then a 24/32 trk.

Adjusting the heads, and removing a certain pin (I'm drawing a blank on the name of the pin right now), can make a drastic difference in how hard you can hit the tape as well. The pin basically controls the amount of pressure the heads are applying to the tape. I can hit damn near +12-14 on my 1" with respects to kick drums and basslines. Stupid fat.

Elm - I agree, my whole process in the studio is time consuming. But, it elevates my skills as well as others working with me. They know the process so the pressure is on to **** up less. No punching in and out over and over. I mean I got some adats for cuts that require some fancy punchin'.. but thats not too common that i'm leaning on the adats. Though they sound great, especially once they track on the reel. Anyhow, time consuming yes, but the final product out weighs all the head aches and time consumption. Plus, you end up completeing more solid material because you don't wanna waste your time with "iffy" tracks!

I'm with ya and I give you prop for honing your craft like that. I've never messed with analog edits and I got too many things I wanna get into so I'm not in a hurry to do so, but you know I'm big on keeping the old school stuff alive and prove than new school can come from anywhere, not just corporations feeding you the newer is better line.

True.

No disrespect to anyone doing things any other way, thats just how I do me you know? And I take pride in that.

it must be fun, I know lots of cats that miss those days, they just don't get paid to use tape as much anymore.

^SADDDDD BUTT TRUUUEEEEEEEE (in my best metallica voice).

elmacaco wrote:Yeah, but those cats are just retarded cheap.

Thats some luddite shyt, 3.10 is the most divine OS I know.

So true, how can one(who has worked on both) not prefer the OS?? I mean really.

the point of this thread (and yes there was a point Lord Pedantic) was to ask if Primo, who is the most famous 60 user of all time, is up on the upgrades we all consider essential.

primo:

"The MPC is like a tape machine without the tape machine. Instead of layering track after track on tape, you can do it all on the MPC. And that was exactly what I needed.”

you get the impression he aint exactly on the bleeding-edge of technology, and the pics show him using floppies etc. im guessing he bought it stock and just got on making amzing amounts of classic joints, leaving others to spend their time dismantling, airbrushing and generally dicking around with their mpcs

He got it early so I suppose he kept it stock, someone must have told him, I still think he wouldn't care so much about it, but it would be dope to see him use it and see what he thinks of it.

elmacaco wrote:He got it early so I suppose he kept it stock, someone must have told him, I still think he wouldn't care so much about it, but it would be dope to see him use it and see what he thinks of it.

i like your replies el, you get straight to the heart of the matter in a coherent, thoughtful and knowledgeable manner, as opposed to some people on here who seem to have staggered out of rehab into the nearest internet cafe whilst still on hEaVy mEdIcAtIoN

It's cuz I'm still in Rehab and can't get to my shrooms!

Thanks for the kind words Earwolf. It's nice to be appreciated.