SH Spotlight How do I fix a damaged analog master tape without digital step? Jethro Tull, Nat King Cole, etc.

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Steve Hoffman, Jul 21, 2022.

  1. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    It's what he wanted, high rez digital to 30 ips 1/2" analog two track tape with yummy colorations to lacquer. He really dug the way it came out..
     
  2. supermd

    supermd Senior Member

    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    So the point would be having a type of “sound coloration” that only tape provides?
     
  3. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    That is correct.
     
  4. supermd

    supermd Senior Member

    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Hmmm, interesting. Can you describe the type of colorations tape gives?

    Also, in your opinion, would modern digital recordings (where everything was recorded digitally) also benefit from this method?
     
  5. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    The type of colorations that makes music and vocals sound more 3D and real.

    Modern digital recordings? Yes, in some cases might enhance the above, but only if the artist is after that. (Can't see why one wouldn't be, to sound more "alive" is a good thing, right?)
     
  6. supermd

    supermd Senior Member

    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Thanks for the info, Steve. Have a great weekend. :)
     
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  7. pscreed

    pscreed Upstanding Member

    Location:
    Land of the Free
    These kind of front line stories are fascinating to me and I’m sure the whole community. Wow.
     
  8. WhatDoIKnow

    WhatDoIKnow I never got over it, I got used to it

    Location:
    Italy
    From the Urban Dictionary:
    What kind of sorcery is this?
    Used when you don't have a clue what you've just witnessed and when you appeal to a supernatural explanation, because you are too ignorant to be aware of the scientific explanation.

    Thank you Steve, much appreciated - I learned something new, and I can say I learned it from one of the best.
     
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  9. bhazen

    bhazen I Am The Walrus

    Location:
    Deepest suburbia
    Great account Steve, and a reminder that there are engineering heroes doing work behind the scenes to bring us great recorded music as close to its best state as possible. I treasure my DCC Aqualung.
     
  10. I've heard you play it, and it was exciting to hear.
    I've heard Steve play/demo it before. The first time was at an audio show at the LAX Hilton in May of 2006. Super cool to hear for sure.
     
  11. TheRunoutMatrix

    TheRunoutMatrix I'm sticking with you, cause I'm made out of glue.

    I recently read about the Avid 'Reel Tape' Suite ("HEAT"?) for Pro Tools that is supposed to help simulate analog tape; I'm assuming in a lower budget recording situation. It's interesting reading about stuff that many people wouldn't really think of wanting to use back in the 90s when I had a modest home studio, using an ADAT for a time, and everything was all about how awesome full-on digital recordings were.
     
  12. That was your project that made me dive head first back into vinyl. 2006 I believe? During that time it seemed everything you were working on was for vinyl, and since I wanted to hear your latest and greatest work, I decided it would be a good idea to buy a turntable.
     
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  13. RobCos02330

    RobCos02330 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Mass
    Agreed!
     
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  14. Crutnacker

    Crutnacker Forum Resident

    Location:
    Louisville, KY
    This astounds me. "Oh, Aqualung? I think it's there above the box of old soccer balls. Thick As A Brick's in the tool shed with the Grammy.
     
  15. tootull

    tootull Looking through a glass onion

    Location:
    Canada
    You're in good company.

    Treasure - Spinning a favourite in 1970's sound.
    [​IMG]
    cheers
     
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  16. Past Masters

    Past Masters Beatles Fanthologist

    +1

    Great story, thanks for the details of that process Mr. Hoffman. Very cool to read...
     
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  17. Mang

    Mang Forum Resident

    Location:
    NJ, USA
    Thanks Mr H for your insights, very cool to hear about and it's the best part of this forum!
     
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  18. TheRunoutMatrix

    TheRunoutMatrix I'm sticking with you, cause I'm made out of glue.

    haha :laugh: a unnamed friend of mine won a Juno award (basically the Canadian equivalent of the Grammys) and for a while it was in his bathroom on the floor, leaning against the wall near the toilet.
     
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  19. bajaed

    bajaed Forum Resident

    Location:
    USA
    Steve, I apologize for the slight detour but based on your comments about tape brands, what current brand of tape would you reccomend for 1/4" home use? I like to record vinyl to tape on a Pioneer RT-909 at 7.5 ips (hope to get a 15 ips machine someday). I know it's not as critical as in the studio but I've used Quantegy most recently and am wondering if there is a better choice?
    Very interesting thread by the way.
     
  20. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    https://www.recordingthemasters.com/?v=7516fd43adaa
    Recording The Masters - RTM / SM911 1/4" Audio Tape
     
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  21. tootull

    tootull Looking through a glass onion

    Location:
    Canada
    Quad is a great transfer by Peter Mew.
    [​IMG]
     
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  22. Briskit

    Briskit “I don’t know karate, but I know ka-razy!”

    Location:
    St Kilda
    The current Mofi kerfuffle has brought up discussion about Sony refusing to let tapes out any more. Even to Sterling I think?
    Do you think this policy is warranted Steve? Or are they being a little too precious?
    I mean if everything has already been transferred to digital, and that is all the consumer will ever hear in the future, what value do the tapes really have apart from historical/cultural artifacts?
     
  23. FlorentinePogen

    FlorentinePogen Forum Resident

    Location:
    Austin, Texas
    So, @Steve Hoffman, where is the metalwork for DCC's Aqualung release? Is there any prayer of it being reissued?
     
  24. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    Metalwork is at Record Tech.
     
  25. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    It's their stuff, they can do what they want with it. Lots of in-house use, I'm sure. They have 100,000 reels or more.
     

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