Just curious?
i think its definitely worth diving into the world of tape, if you can afford it.

 

Sure, I am, not for multitrack recording tho.

 

Yes i use it all the time

 

What are you guys using?Smaller type recorders or proper studio tape machines?

 

PM

 

I love tape, can't get enough of the stuff.

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Multitrack


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@The-RoBoT
Do digital plugins come close to the real thing, if not, where are the main differences, sound wise?
Also, which plugin do you think emulates tape machines the best?

 

I still use a Revox & Studer 1/2" to run stuff throug for warmth, tape comp and hiss. Mostly drums, pads or vox. I've got a Nakamichi cassette deck that when it is in a good mood it works miracles.
Not very often but it happens if we're in 'creative-mode'.

best emu's: Waves Kramer master tape , U-he Satin.

 

Last edited: Nov 4, 2016

Revox b77, nothing fancy. On the other hand, I have the remote, so maybe it's semi-fancy ;)

PM? Never heard of that brand!

 

Nice!
Waves and U-He are great plugins, but i bet its not like real tape?Never used real tape thats why i ask.
But will dive into that world in the future.

 

The emulated stuff comes close as far as compression and colour (warmth) but not really. Tape really has a mind of its own and the low-end is hard to get with plugs. I've got a chain that comes close; Kramer Master tape > Bark of Dog > Scheps. Not necessarilly in that order but you can squeeze some really nice 'tape-like' low end from it.
Real tape is just real tape and its just a bit elaborate to set up correctly in the spir of the moment without breaking the momentum in the workflow of the session. But if I think I'm gonna need it I'll have it set up.
If you can get your hands on an old sony or teac deck and some tapes it is deffinetly worth giving it
a shot. Make sure you use the best cables at hand though...

 

It's funny this kind of "going back to the past". What will be next, making music by smashig rocks together and shouting OOGA OOGA

 

So far i have had really good results with Satin,Kramer Tape,TG12345 , Slate VMR and Acustica.
My mixes have gotten so much better using these tools its crazy.
But i could imagine its not like using the real thing.

 

Revox looks like a good start into the world of tape.Also not too expensive like Studers, but thats also major league of tape machines.

 

I was looking at this plugin

I honestly cannot hear what it does. When he flips bypass, I can't notice any difference. Sometimes I think I hear something different, but then I go back and realise I did not hear it after all. A lot of the "tape sound" seem to be a big imaginary. Or then, I might not know the sound at all, and not recognizing it.

Do they sound like the real thing though? Slate at least tells you they do

 

Used to to have one of these back in the late 80s, but sold it when I bought a Fostex 4 track cassette. Wish I'd held onto it now

 

Too me its the least convincing tape emulation plugin, maybe i should give it another shot.
Other experienced tape users could tell more though.

 

@The-RoBoT
You`re the Gordon Ramsey of tape machines