R/E/P > The Acid Test
Radar vs. 2" 16trk @ 15ips?
Tom H.:
Hi there!
Am wondering if anyone has or can do a straight A/B test with a Radar and a 2" 16trk running at 15 ips?
Iam currently looking at the idea of getting my feet wet by sticking them into the pool of Digital Audio, and NO, I will not be altering "performances" by cutting and pasting...
Just recording...That's why the Radar system seems Ok...
Anyone care to share?
Thanks alot,
Tom H.
Barry Hufker:
I've owned a RADAR 24 for about 6 years and love it. I can't do your comparison as I don't have a 2" 16 track. Having recently performed a RADAR 24 vs. 2" 24 (3M M79), I can tell you the differences are as you'd expect. RADAR was cleaner, clearer and better defined. The M79 was "warmer" and "rounder" - the highs weren't as crisp or clean and the bass was "mushier" and less well defined. Given sound quality, media/maintenance costs, RADAR is the clear winner for me. But you have to be sure which RADAR model is being used for comparison. We used a RADAR 24 with Nyquist converters. The sampling rate was 96kHz with 24 bits. That tape deck was freshly tweaked, perfect heads, fresh EMTEC tape at 15 ips.
For me, RADAR is IT and tape doesn't come close. Tape is still fun and cool, but it is not close in terms of best sound, at least not in this format.
Barry
J.J. Blair:
I have to disagree. There is no better sounding manufactured tape machine for tracking drums than the 3M M56 2" 16trk. Depending on how hard you hit it, the transient response is unbelievable. I never found the bass to be mushy with 499. Also, 15ips will give you a head bump at 50Hz, which you have to take into account.
But the punchiest basics I ever tracked in any format were on my 2" 16 track. Nothing compares to it.
BTW, unlike the M79, the M56 is all discrete.
Now the Studer A80, I find to be a little mushy, on the other hand. You can't just say 2" 16 without specifying which machine, CCIR or NAB, tape type, etc.
Barry Hufker:
I agree there are many variables in comparing these machines and there is much which just comes down to one's preference. I'll be in a better position to make a direct comparison once J.J. donates his M56 to Webster University...
Tom H.:
Hello!
Thanks for the info...
Interesting...
I don't do "basics" on the 2" machine...
I've never left the analog world in any of my productions...
Oh, I was referring to a 2" 16trk MCI JH24/16 @15ips, NAB eq...
Maybe I'll try IECC eq on that machine before making up my mind...
I use that eq curve on my 1/4" 2trk tapedeck...
like it alot on there...
Thanks again...
Tom H.
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