What's best for recording analogue rock sound? (BTW I'm new!)

Anna · 15th July 2004, 02:09 AM

Hi everyone, I'm new!

Anyway, intros done I want to see if any of you peeps know about getting a good analogue sound on a (student?) budget...

I have a digital 8-track which I'm happy with but I'm about ready to start playing with other sounds and formats. I have always loved that late 70s warm, punchy, groovy rock sound as illustrated on things like Iggy, Patti Smith (the drum and guitar sound on her version of 'Gloria' esp.), Lou Reed, Television etc.

I have been investigating various analogue options including Akai 4000 reel-to-reels, Revox 77, Tascam multi-tracks but I was wondering if anyone can point me in a good yet reasonably priced direction. Any advice about microphones would be welcomed too! Where is this kinda vintage stuff sold (apart from eBay)? Are there any places in London that anyone knows of?

I know this isn't necessarily the answer to all my prayers but it might get me a little closer to my musical heaven!!

Thanks!

Anna

Havoc · 15th July 2004, 09:26 PM

Think you may be better/faster served on forums morespecific to recording like:

http://www.soundonsound.com/
http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/

makinson1 · 25th August 2004, 08:02 PM

You need to check out the analog tape experts:
http://recordist.com/ampex/

if you want the reel deal, find a good used AG-440 with some life left in the heads. The 70s sound you are looking for was caused by people unfamiliar with the requirements of large diaphram German condenser microphones overloading the mic-pres of cheap mixing consoles like the Tascam. Most "project-studio" junk being sold today will serve your purposes well if you hit the front end hard enough and then compress the bejezzuz out of it.

EC8010 · 26th August 2004, 09:39 AM

Welcome to the forum. A couple of years ago, the Beeb couldn't give Studer A80 1/4" stereo tape machines away. Mind you, they're big. Really big.

makinson1 · 26th August 2004, 03:04 PM

My policy is: Buy equipment by the pound! I saw an Ampex MM1200 on Ebay recently. I think that's about 400 Lbs.
Note bene: If the motors and heads aren't in really good condition, double the cost of getting it right.

15th July 2004, 02:09 AM	#1
Anna diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: London	What's best for recording analogue rock sound? (BTW I'm new!) Hi everyone, I'm new! Anyway, intros done I want to see if any of you peeps know about getting a good analogue sound on a (student?) budget... I have a digital 8-track which I'm happy with but I'm about ready to start playing with other sounds and formats. I have always loved that late 70s warm, punchy, groovy rock sound as illustrated on things like Iggy, Patti Smith (the drum and guitar sound on her version of 'Gloria' esp.), Lou Reed, Television etc. I have been investigating various analogue options including Akai 4000 reel-to-reels, Revox 77, Tascam multi-tracks but I was wondering if anyone can point me in a good yet reasonably priced direction. Any advice about microphones would be welcomed too! Where is this kinda vintage stuff sold (apart from eBay)? Are there any places in London that anyone knows of? I know this isn't necessarily the answer to all my prayers but it might get me a little closer to my musical heaven!! Thanks! Anna

26th August 2004, 09:39 AM	#4
EC8010 diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Near London. UK	Welcome to the forum. A couple of years ago, the Beeb couldn't give Studer A80 1/4" stereo tape machines away. Mind you, they're big. Really big. __________________ "Scientific progress goes boink." Bill Watterson

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Rock - Progresive Rock ->>>	Rixsta	Music	45	23rd October 2009 04:21 PM
The First Sound Recording - we can hear it finally	smoking-amp	Tubes / Valves	2	30th March 2008 03:10 AM
Designing a Sound Stage for recording	ccdoggy	Everything Else	8	6th March 2008 12:10 AM
Recording analogue to digital	MoJ	Everything Else	1	6th May 2006 03:48 PM
Tune the sound to the recording, or your mood . . .	rick57	Solid State	16	25th February 2003 07:28 AM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


<a rel='nofollow' href='http://www.diyaudio.com/openx/www/delivery/ck.php?n=aa5cb2e9&cb=128039' target='_blank'><img src='http://www.diyaudio.com/openx/www/delivery/avw.php?zoneid=3&cb=128039&n=aa5cb2e9' border='0' alt='' /></a>	We're saving for a new server - help us to serve you by Donating Today and become a friend with benefits! Ads on/off / Custom Title / 2009 Tshirt / More PMs / Bigger Images / Advanced printing

15th July 2004, 09:26 PM	#2
Havoc diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Belgium	Think you may be better/faster served on forums morespecific to recording like: http://www.soundonsound.com/ http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/

25th August 2004, 08:02 PM	#3
makinson1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tallahassee, FL	You need to check out the analog tape experts: http://recordist.com/ampex/ if you want the reel deal, find a good used AG-440 with some life left in the heads. The 70s sound you are looking for was caused by people unfamiliar with the requirements of large diaphram German condenser microphones overloading the mic-pres of cheap mixing consoles like the Tascam. Most "project-studio" junk being sold today will serve your purposes well if you hit the front end hard enough and then compress the bejezzuz out of it.

26th August 2004, 03:04 PM	#5
makinson1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tallahassee, FL	My policy is: Buy equipment by the pound! I saw an Ampex MM1200 on Ebay recently. I think that's about 400 Lbs. Note bene: If the motors and heads aren't in really good condition, double the cost of getting it right.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)