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Author Topic: Mixing to 1/2" tape  (Read 15315 times)

faganking

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Mixing to 1/2" tape
« on: January 19, 2011, 12:03:45 PM »

On January 24th I begin mixing a record at 'Cowboy Technical Services' in Brooklyn. They have recommended I mix to their STUDER A-80 RC 1/2" 2 track which they then put back into PT at 96k and that's what goes to mastering. I've never done this. What thinks ye!

(I tried using search for this. It wouldn't go past the first page. Said 'page can't be found...and there were 15?)
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Benjy King

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Phil Ramone quote: "If you can't get a good sound with a 57 and a Portastudio you're not going to get a good sound with a C-12 and a 3324."

zmix

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Re: Mixing to 1/2" tape
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2011, 12:07:20 PM »

Why not?  I'd recommend printing the mix back to the session directly (as well as through the A80) at the session sample rate, and then going back and making the 96k copies after the fact.. let us know how you like it!

compasspnt

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Re: Mixing to 1/2" tape
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2011, 12:10:31 PM »

NB: Also mix to a KORG DSD, then compare all three.



But why would you mix to 1/2", and THEN dump BACK to Protools?

If it's 1/2", then take that to mastering.

All the better, K-DSD.
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Gold

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Re: Mixing to 1/2" tape
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2011, 12:13:22 PM »

They are used to people not wanting to buy a reel of tape. That's why they recommend that. If you want to buy tape I'm sure they'd be happy to have you walk out with reels...They are friends so I know.
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Paul Gold
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faganking

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Re: Mixing to 1/2" tape
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2011, 12:13:48 PM »

compasspnt wrote on Wed, 19 January 2011 12:10

NB: Also mix to a KORG DSD, then compare all three.



But why would you mix to 1/2", and THEN dump BACK to Protools?

If it's 1/2", then take that to mastering.

All the better, K-DSD.



Why go back to Protools? My thoughts exactly!
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Benjy King

http://www.benjyking.com

Phil Ramone quote: "If you can't get a good sound with a 57 and a Portastudio you're not going to get a good sound with a C-12 and a 3324."

kats

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Re: Mixing to 1/2" tape
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2011, 12:30:59 PM »

Gold wrote on Wed, 19 January 2011 11:13

They are used to people not wanting to buy a reel of tape. That's why they recommend that. If you want to buy tape I'm sure they'd be happy to have you walk out with reels...They are friends so I know.


That's the one thing I find to be the easiest sell, the 1/2" tape. 2" OTOH, not so easy. I can usually convince the client to buy the 1/2" reel because it is future proof if a newer technology comes around and that you would be able to benefit from a re-master. The Beatles just made a sh*tload of money on that Smile

It depends on how the artist feels about the future I guess...
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Bill Mueller

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Re: Mixing to 1/2" tape
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2011, 12:51:51 PM »

compasspnt wrote on Wed, 19 January 2011 12:10

NB: Also mix to a KORG DSD, then compare all three.



But why would you mix to 1/2", and THEN dump BACK to Protools?

If it's 1/2", then take that to mastering.

All the better, K-DSD.


+1,

I mixed on an A80 for twenty years and love the machine. I still have a B67 and covet every A80 I see out there. But know that it does change the signal. For certain music, the silky tones of a 1/2" A80 are perfect, for others not so much.

Bill
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OOF!

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Re: Mixing to 1/2" tape
« Reply #7 on: January 19, 2011, 01:05:13 PM »

Hey Benjy,
that's the format I have: A80 RC 1/2" into the Korg DSD.  It's pretty unbeatable.
If not using the DSD, I'd definitely take the 1/2" mixes to mastering.  Regardless of sampling rate, you lose a lot once you send it into the computer.  Really depressing.
I'm in town- you're welcome to drop by with some tracks and test it out for yourself.  PM me.
David
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faganking

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Re: Mixing to 1/2" tape
« Reply #8 on: January 19, 2011, 01:10:38 PM »

I haven't mixed to tape in a long time. How many songs can I get on a reel?

BTW: They said they use a reel and keep going over it. I emailed yesterday and said just order me my own reel. It's less than $100 for christ sake.
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Benjy King

http://www.benjyking.com

Phil Ramone quote: "If you can't get a good sound with a 57 and a Portastudio you're not going to get a good sound with a C-12 and a 3324."

zmix

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Re: Mixing to 1/2" tape
« Reply #9 on: January 19, 2011, 01:35:40 PM »

faganking wrote on Wed, 19 January 2011 13:10

I haven't mixed to tape in a long time. How many songs can I get on a reel?

BTW: They said they use a reel and keep going over it. I emailed yesterday and said just order me my own reel. It's less than $100 for christ sake.


At 15ips you will get 33-35 minutes on a 2500' reel... and around 17 minutes at 30ips

faganking

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Re: Mixing to 1/2" tape
« Reply #10 on: January 19, 2011, 01:38:20 PM »

zmix wrote on Wed, 19 January 2011 13:35

faganking wrote on Wed, 19 January 2011 13:10

I haven't mixed to tape in a long time. How many songs can I get on a reel?

BTW: They said they use a reel and keep going over it. I emailed yesterday and said just order me my own reel. It's less than $100 for christ sake.


At 15ips you will get 33-35 minutes on a 2500' reel... and around 17 minutes at 30ips




Thanks Chuck. That is exactly what I would have guessed.
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Benjy King

http://www.benjyking.com

Phil Ramone quote: "If you can't get a good sound with a 57 and a Portastudio you're not going to get a good sound with a C-12 and a 3324."

thedoc

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Re: Mixing to 1/2" tape
« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2011, 12:05:57 AM »

Different speeds = different head bump and Hi freq response.  It would be interesting to see what you think about how tape affects your hi and low end.
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Doc

Jean Taxis

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Re: Mixing to 1/2" tape
« Reply #12 on: January 20, 2011, 02:54:27 PM »

And if you plan to keep the tape, don't forget to print tones test...

compasspnt

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Re: Mixing to 1/2" tape
« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2011, 03:12:32 PM »

Jean Taxis wrote on Thu, 20 January 2011 14:54

And if you plan to keep the tape, don't forget to print tones test...


Ah, how soon the world forgets...
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OOF!

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Re: Mixing to 1/2" tape
« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2011, 06:18:40 PM »

Me?  I never stopped printing tones.
Even when I switched to digital.
I get my old 335 plugged into a blackface Super Reverb and wail away for 3 minutes straight.
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