Hi!! I just picked up a two track tape recorder, and I want to record guitar and vocals. It has 1/4 jacks in and out.

What is the simplest and cheapest way for me to record?
Do I need a direct box?
Can I use a condenser mic that requires phantom power?
Can I do this without buying a mixer?

Thanks for any guidance. It's been 30-years since I used tape, and back then we went through a mixer that took care of all of this.

 

You could conceivably get by with just a direct box (or 2) but if your mic requires phantom power you might have a problem. Imho a cheap tiny 4 channel mixer is your best bet, it should handle anything you throw at it, high or low impedance. And you could run your guitar through, say, a stereo effect or record a stereo reverb on your voice at the same time, that sort of thing. More flexibility. Maybe keep an eye out on eBay and Reverb...

 

yeah, your tape is only sound as good as the signal you give it.
its gonna depend on what kind of mic you use. a guitar etc will require a di box if you are not just using a mic for an acoustic guitar.

a small cheap mixer will make things much easier.
https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-80...1&sprefix=berhinger+mixer,aps,585&sr=8-5&th=1

this about 90$, - also check out Yamaha they make some great small mixers, Ebay etc, can be cheaper or more expensive times are strange...good luck a cheap japanese tape recorder started me on this crazy path years ago... oh what fun....

 

the t.mix mix 502 - 48 €

1. 5-channel mixer
2. one microphone input with switchable phantom power
3. 2-band tone control and balance
4. 2 stereo inputs with 2 jack inputs each
5. Master output via 2 unbalanced jack outputs
6. additional input via cinch (2 track in/out)
7. separately adjustable headphone output
8. external power supply

www.thomann.de/de/the_t_mix_mix_502.htm?offid=1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_content=widget&affid=84&utm_campaign=id84&subid=widget&subid2=BON

Millenium DI-E passive DI-Box - 13,90 EUR
www.thomann.de/de/millenium_die_dibox_passiv.htm

 

The process for getting analog audio to tape hasn't changed much in the last 30 years. However these days the the "mixer" can be much more abbreviated than it was back then. The micro mixer suggestions above are more than adequate to allow you to easily accomplish your task. I would suggest getting one that supports the connections you have to make from your mic to the tape machine within a single unit. Try to avoid DI boxen for your situation as it's just more spaghetti you'll end up having to deal with. Just make certain that if your MIC(s) require 48v phantom power that the mixer has the capability to provide it.

 

also some mixers can provide a certain amount of basic effects like reverb,echo, etc, as well as eq and mic preamp with phantom power, in a very small footprint that is easy to learn,and gives you monitoring and headphones, some even include sends if you want - you could send a signal to a daw or a digital recorder like a zoom h4n for computerless recording and you have a backup and a dry signal in case you want to remix or redo things. the H4n then can be used as an interface to digitze the analog tape signal to bring it into a daw or store it on sd cards for backup.

its amazing what you can do with 100$ to 200$ dollars. I still have several standalone recorders as they are handy and easy and fast for recording demos and ideas.

 

..

 

Loved my old Sony reel to reel from 40 years ago.
You could plug into the left input and run the left and right ins and outs into each other for Klaus Schulze or Tangerine Dream style ping pong echoes.
Can you do this with yours?
What make and model?
Revox A or B-77?

 

I don't have it yet. It's coming . . .

Sony TC-366
Three Head Stereo Tape Deck Recorder (1970-72)




Specifications
Track system: 4-track, 2-channel, stereo/monaural system

Heads: 1 x playback, 1 x record, 1 x erase

Reel size: up to 7 inch reel

Tape speeds: 1 7⁄8 3 3⁄4 7 1⁄2 ips

Wow and flutter: 0.09% (7 1⁄2 ips)

Frequency response: 20Hz to 25kHz (7 1⁄2 ips)

Signal to Noise Ratio: 55dB

Total harmonic distortion: 1.2%

Input: 60mV (line), 0.19mV (mic)

Output: 0.775V (line)

Semiconductors: 27 x transistors, 4 x diodes

 

Exploring a Reel to Reel Tape Recorder: Sony TC-366

 

Might want to look into getting a 7.5 IPS MRL calibration tape a signal gen and a meter or scope. I'm betting that thing hasn't been aligned, cal'ed or degaussed in years.

 

Thanks!! This will help.

 

Classic machine! You will definitely need to do sone setup though.

 

It's easy to get parts if needed. Sony made a lot of them. It's not a pro line tape recorder, but it should give some analog goodness just the same. My mixer purchase fell through. It didn't come with a power supply, which cost more than the unit itself. ;-0

 

You can use it as a really great distortion unit, overloading, slamming and pinning the meters.

 

Hello - here is another one with USA power and including power supply.

MACKIE (65 EUR)
https://mackie.com/en/products/mixers/mix-series/mix5.html

Mackie Mix 5-Kanal-Mischpult Schwarz
www.amazon.de/Mackie-Mix5-5-Channel-Compact-Mischer/dp/B00PVG8RGC
www.thomann.de/de/mackie_mix5.htm

 

I was looking at the Mix5 for $70, but there's some confusion about phantom power. What on Earth does this mean?

"Preamplifier always provides +15V phantom power for some condenser mics"
What does "some" condenser mics mean"

I called Mackie. One rep told me the unit doesn't have phantom power. I asked to speak to another rep, and he told me it does have it. Then I did a Google search and Mr. Google A.I. wrote, "On the Mix5, there is a constant 15V Phantom Power engaged. On all three models, make sure you do not plug any single-ended, unbalanced, or ribbon microphones while phantom power is engaged and never with the Mix5 (since it is always on)."

What the?

 

What mics are you using? True phantom power runs at 48 volts, check the mics you are using are compatible with the phantom power provided by the mixer!

 

CAUTION! 15 V the new old thing... MACKIE has completely messed it up. Either 48V but nobody wants 15V. The following article sheds some light on the problem, we'll definitely find another mixer!!!

Today's Electronics Lesson- 48v vs. 15v

Turns out that the phantom power spec is 15v. Lower end acoustic amp manufacturers (Vox, Fender Acoustisonic, etc.) put the lower voltage phantom power in their units as a cost save. The justification is that many common condensers run just fine with 15v and most people won't be using high end mics with their amps. They also babble about how some equipment can be damaged if plugged into 48v, however the equipment that could be damaged is even more rare than high dollar condenser mics so that concern for my safety is pretty much bogus.

Source and more: https://acoustictalk.proboards.com/thread/32012/todays-electronics-lesson-48v-15v