mastering query (Page 2 of 5)

I saw the Portico in action and I was well impressed, but it was out of my budget at the time (GBP 1100 I think). I wonder if you can get it cheaper nowadays...

no mastering here, but also no releases. hehe

I am a big fan of (analog) compression. But moderate, i use a focusrite mixmaster on the master (but actually using it more as a limiter).  I have used izotope ozone though (not for tracks but more to make crappy recorded live recordings a bit more beefy), it does make a difference. The reason i don't use mastering on my tracks because i do so much processing before the final recording, and i like the sound i have allready.

The only reason i would do proper mastering is if i would prepare for vinyl. (fase shit etc.).

nakamichi dragon is the one most talked about. bu i guess you can find much cheaper tape decks that can do a fine job. like a nad hifi deck.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvSgfFNptuQ[/youtube]

also good tape on ebay is really expensive

If you want it as an effect you constantly hear even when your not recording, you'd best stick to a compressor (I hear great reviews of the FMR Audio RNC compressors, or a DBX166, they're cheap and supposedly good) or a vst tape-satuartion emulator plug in like Erroraudio mentioned. Maybe a tube compressor? Dunno... But for monitoring dj mixes I reckon that's your best shot.

For consumer recorders the Revox A77 is the best they ever build, not the B77 like most people think. The Revox PR99 and Tascam 32 and 42 are also good budget semi-pro recorders, as are the otari 5050's. Tascam also build a smaller version of the 32 series, the 22 series, they use 7inch reels instead of 10.5 inch and are thus smaller (but they can still record on 15ips, which is cool). They are relatively easy to find and there's people that can service them because you can still get spare parts relatively easy.

Maintaining a reel recorder is easy, finding one in a good shape or restoring one isn't as easy. For maintenance all you need is alcohol, cotton swaps and a demagnetizer. For servicing you'd also need a calibration tape, a service manual and knowledge, so I reckon you're better off leaving that to an expert. For Revox/Studer, Teac/Tascam and Otari experts are easier to find.

I would suggest getting a restored recorder rather than a cheap ass one, cause there's really too much to be aware of. I'm writing a little 'article', a sort of glossary on what to look for when you go look for a reel recorder, plus some info on how reel recorders work. It''s almost finished, I'll post pdf somewhere this week if you want.

@brian: i wrote a whole tape article in interface magazine a few months ago, including a report from the RMG tape factory, the last one to make tapes.

doesn't the b77 have double speed compared to the a77?

ehm.. my b77 does 15 ips standard. and i have the mk2 version with pitch control, where you can add another 10%...

i'll send you some scans of the article, but a subscription to the mag is not that expensive..

Then you have a B77HS (High Speed), which indeed is 15ips. The regular B77 (the one you mostly find in classifieds) is standard 7,5 but could be modded.

edit: I have to correct myself. The MkII is indeed standard 15ips, there was no HS version of that one. Sorry, my bad.

I know a subscription isn't expensive, but I know somebody who writes for them and...
No seriously, I already have a subscription to tape-op, which normally is enough for me. Other mags I just buy whenever there's something I'd like to read (but I clearly missed out on this one).

Btw, found a German article where the A700, A77 and B77 are compared to eachother: http://www.theimann.com/Analog/Review.pdf

Brian is absolutely right, rather buy a serviced unit than not, as i did with my revox b77. When i first put the thing on it alsmost exploded in my face (dust but i believe the guy boobytrapped it). I did buy new heads though, but i am still looking for an adress to get it serviced. So, if anyone knows a place that doesn't charge 250 to start with in NL please let me know.

I reckon the 250 start place was Audio survivors? If not: http://www.audiosurvivors.nl but I think they ain't cheap either. I don't who does Revox in NL. Perhaps searching or asking here might help: http://forum.audiofreaks.nl/index.php?board=3.0

Speaking of servicing yourself... Ruud, remember you once send me that link that Mick found for test tape? You still have it somewhere? Does RMG supply test tape by any chance?

edit: linkje toch nog terug gevonden... lang leve gmail http://www.bluthard.de/index.php?testbaender-1

As i seem to have hit the epicenter of tape loving robots in this thread i'll post it here:

If any of you is interested in this Pioneer CT-F 1250 cassette deck contact me.
I prefer a trade for some other nice gadget.

From what i read this is supposed to be as close to a reel to reel recorder as it gets.

It is working but it needs some looking after, because when a tape is getting to the middle it starts
wining and playing slower.  New belts ?