Why go backwards in technology?!

That was the question a well meaning friend asked me.  With a digital set up, I have literally hundreds of tracks and plug-ins effects with ridiculous amounts of automation for every parameter available.  Analog Tape has only 24 tracks, hisses if not automated, the tapes are expensive, the maintenance, cleaning, and demagnetizing all make this a clunky way to record.

So why then does this machine rent for $300 per hour in certain major cities?  The sound is clean (nice high end), punchy (big bottom end), and full.  It has been said that the quirks of analog (tape compression, distortions, etc) mimic our own ears making the music sound better.  Peaks are handled much nicer than the sterile digital giving tracks a smoothness digital plug-ins try to imitate.  Also, when cranked up (+6 over zero dB) you get a nice smooth compression called tape saturation.  Listen to yesterday's music (70-90s) and hear the difference.  Today, record labels try to get that same sound by super compressing audio which actually trashes it (turn the volume way down and listen for yourself).  Analog tape simply is better!  Besides, you never have to worry about a computer crash destroying your recordings!

2" 24 Track Otari    &      1/2" MCI Mastering

8 Track 1/2 " Tape

2 Track Mastering Deck 1/4" Tape

Cassette recorder/duplicator

Yep, cassettes are still out there and they don't sound bad compared to MP3s!  We still have a bunch to record to.

  Tascam Dual Cassette

It may be a few years old but there aren't that many hours of use means it sounds great!