Hi DIYs,
Just a clarifying question: I may be interested in a superb analog recording media and am aware of tape (reel-to-reel), however, would like to know if there is something better than this in terms of dynamics, S/N, simple use, and longer recording time.
Any ideas or experiences with this?
Thanks,
Jesper
Just a clarifying question: I may be interested in a superb analog recording media and am aware of tape (reel-to-reel), however, would like to know if there is something better than this in terms of dynamics, S/N, simple use, and longer recording time.
Any ideas or experiences with this?
Thanks,
Jesper
The only thing better than reel-to-reel recording is reel-to-reel recording with dbx type II noise supressor/dynamic expander.
I have to disagree. DBX creates audible artifacts; more noticable on some types of music than others. And some ears are more sensitive to it than others.
There is also VHS-Hifi, (or Beta Hi-Fi) machines that use the rotary head drum to record FM audio. S/N = better than 90dB, and you can get over 6 hours on a standard cassette (few dollars) as opposed to something like $50 for a reel of 1/4 inch r-2-r tape.
There is also VHS-Hifi, (or Beta Hi-Fi) machines that use the rotary head drum to record FM audio. S/N = better than 90dB, and you can get over 6 hours on a standard cassette (few dollars) as opposed to something like $50 for a reel of 1/4 inch r-2-r tape.
Yes, I agree with you. I have tested it, SNR > 90dB at LP or SP and FR: 20 - 30000 Hz within 2 dBs (at 0VU), THD < 0.05% (at 0VU) . The only thing that, in my opinion, matters is the handling of the cassette.
I think generally when comparing any two formats you are going to have trade offs.
In terms of fidelity I would put Disks (12", 45rpm) up higher than tape. But of course you have the problem of artifacts, s/n ratio, innergroove distortion. And of course not a multitrack format that lends itself to being mixed. But in theory, when you have an ideal signal chain, Disks are higher fidelity than tape.
In terms of fidelity I would put Disks (12", 45rpm) up higher than tape. But of course you have the problem of artifacts, s/n ratio, innergroove distortion. And of course not a multitrack format that lends itself to being mixed. But in theory, when you have an ideal signal chain, Disks are higher fidelity than tape.
Ghianni said:
Agreed, FM allows good performance but there's always the head switching noise at a 50Hz rate that is demodulated as a very nasty noise spike. Because it's a short spike with a long gap between spikes its average energy is low, which is why most noise meters don't see it, but it ruined my enjoyment of a Beethoven symphony.
Analogue reel to reel with a good transport and good electronics can be very good but it's expensive on tape. In broadcast we put two tracks onto 1/4" at 15ips, but recording studios typically use 1/2" or even 1" with two tracks at 30ips for best quality. And that's not even considering multitracking.
DBX was a very early noise reduction system. I haven't heard it, but Dolby SR was the last analogue noise reduction system and was intended to allow analogue tape to compete with the specifications of 16 bit PCM, so it might be worth looking into this.
Yes, some years ago I was testing an 8 track/1" Studer A80 multi track machine equipped with rec+playback Dolby SR cards. I managed to get 96 dB SNR at +6 dBu (Scotch 1" tape) operating level, the sound was superb!!! but who can afford that price....
Hi all,
Thank you for replying to my question. I guess that your replies are in line with my own observations so far - my impression is that reel-to-reel tapes are magnificent opportunies, however, from my perspective less useful in practice ....
Thank you for taking the time to reply 😉
Best from
Jesper
Thank you for replying to my question. I guess that your replies are in line with my own observations so far - my impression is that reel-to-reel tapes are magnificent opportunies, however, from my perspective less useful in practice ....
Thank you for taking the time to reply 😉
Best from
Jesper
I agree this can be annoying; but it seems to be a symptom of either a low-end machine, or a machine that is misaligned (or misaligned relative to the recording machine).
And it is also dependant on the type of music.
Solo guitar and piano always seems to be the stuff that shows up the flaws in recording systems. Thats where I hear the VHS-Hi-fi head switching, and the DBX pumping.
I have wondered if on a VHS-Hi-fi machine, you removed the video carrier - so the audio layer was not over-written with video, and so would be much "thicker", would you end up with a better sounding system?
All these machine have an audio-only mode, but they are still recording video, albeit just 'black'.
Dolby SR is EXPENSIVE stuff! Tho it might be found cheap if studios are turfing it out.
Steerpike said:
The machine used for record was the same as that for replay, so that should have been fine, and it was top-of-the-range in 1989 (£800 for an S-VHS). However, I will admit that I had the volume turned up and the loudspeakers used had active crossovers and were quite revealing. But they were pretty representative of studio monitors...
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