Which Tape Machine is Best?

[Kon Alexiou]

I love the sound of tape. I never record more than 2 tracks at a time, so I am thinking about buying a good quality low(er) maintanance tape machine so I can feed tracks into PT.

Which 2 track (or other machine) would you suggest? I am prepared extra to get something decent. Basically, I need something that has readily accessible parts and cheaper/easier to maintain.

Also, what is the best way to feed tracks into PT?

[ddwhitney]

What kind of tape? There are a lot of variations...

I am not aware of a low maintenance 2 track machine, there area quite a few mid to high maintenance tape machines.

"Best" is going to be tough, everyone has their favorites from 1" 2 track ATR Service mastering decks to some kind of Tascam unit and everything in between.

I don't think there are any places that have readily accessible parts, ATR might because they service and repair tape decks and even they have to fabricate custom parts. Not cheap and not fast.

IMO, it might be ALOT cheaper to get a saturation plug that emulates different decks like McDSP Analog Channel.

Happy Hunting!

[albee1952]

Low maintenance tape machine......no doubt made out of pure unobtainiumNo such beast exists(and tape is getting very hard to find). In any case, I also love the sound, but forget the machine(besides, 2 tracks will just leave you wishing for more). Buy a good tape emulation plugin. Mellowmuse has one, as does Avid(RealTapeSuite).

[Park Seward]

ATR Magnetics and RMGI both make great tape. It is easy to find and order:

http://usrecordingmedia-store.stores...eelrectap.html

Otari is the only one I am aware of that makes new 1/4" recorders:

http://www.otari.com/download/files/mx5050_ad_e1.pdf

It's very expensive.

You can find old Ampex recorders for around $500 that will require a lot of rebuilding. Don't even ask what new heads go for!

John can help with heads:

http://www.jrfmagnetics.com/

ebay is a source but you may need to repair/rebuild the machines.

I have rebuilt several Ampex recorders. Once fixed, they will last a long time. However, they all require maintenance to perform at their best.

I am especially proud of my Ampex MM-1100 16 track. Beats any digital system out there.

[RegenerationMix]

I had a tascam 80-8 for years. IT was robust, and a workhorse. Never had a problem with it. sold it to move into adats years ago. you might find one really cheap. 1/2 tape and 8 tracks, and a warm sound.

heavy as hell.

for what its worth.

[caruso7r]

If you have the money to rebuild and absolutely want a tape machine, Ampex is the old standard especially if you have the i/o modded. But the real problem today is the quality of tape itself. It inconsistent and if you really want the quality, you'll be going through many reels. As much as I love analog and I was spoiled where I came from, with the right converters digital is the way to go IMO.

[Craig F]

http://www.uaudio.com/products/softw...800/index.html

or

http://www.vintageking.com/Endless-Analog-Clasp

[Varela]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STUDER-B62-REE...item4aa7154b30

[Carl Fuehrer]

Go with either Ampex or Studer.

[Park Seward]

Originally Posted by caruso7r

But the real problem today is the quality of tape itself. It inconsistent and if you really want the quality, you'll be going through many reels.

This review is in disagreement: http://www.tapeheads.net/showthread.php?t=1252

and - "the 1/2 " atr tape i have used is the best 1/2" tape i have ever used - the reel is heavier and more solid - the tape moves quiet and smooth and the sound is amazing"

"I have had nothing but great experience with ATR tape. No shedding, Quality Control is such that I don't have to bias every reel like I did with Emtec/BASF, and most importantly, the sound is fantastic. It holds 50hz and 15k tones steadily, and sonically it doesn't sound like i'm throwing something at hard wall, like I felt about GP9. It sounds like "tape" should sound IMHO."

"Both RMGI and ATR are excellent tape, probably the best ever made. But not unlike ANYONE else making tape, they could make bad batches. It's very hard to make."

"ATR Magnetics tape is the best sounding tape I've used.
I have never had any problems with it.

And I have gotten great support and response from Mike Spitz and his folks.

We tape users are fortunate that they are producing tape."

Your mileage may vary.