Recording to cassette

[Chankgeez]

Nice, enjoy. I'm looking forward to hearing what you do with it.

[Ugly Nora]

So the manual says to use high bias type 2 tapes. Can I use normal bias type 1 tapes and achieve lower fidelity sound? Or will those tapes literally, physically not work in this machine. Little help?

[Chankgeez]

I'm pretty sure I've used normal bias tapes in a 4 track before. Yeah, the fidelity won't be as good, but the tapes will work. The cassettes are physically the same, it's just the tape in them that's different.

I'd do some more research on it if I were you. I'm not sure what the long term effects of using normal instead of high bias tapes are.

[rustywire]

Normal, Type II crO2, Metal tapes will all work.
Be sure you look into the maintenance/cleaning process for your heads and rollers, some tape types and manufacturers are *dirtier* than others and will require the heads be cleaned more frequently.
Normal bias tapes have a sound. Type II, chrome, metal tapes all have a sound.
Avoid using tapes longer than 90min (the tape itself is manufactured thinner in order to fit on the reels, which is more prone to mishaps)
In a 4track they will yield 45min recording time, you only get 1 side due to all 4 tracks being used at once so don't flip it and think you gain another 45min!

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

or flip it and record shit onto your tracks backwarddddddddddds.

[Ugly Nora]

Thanks to all team members who responded above. I think it will be good to get the maxell type 1 to learn on or use when sketching ideas and use the the more expensive maxell type 2 when I actually want to record something good. Seems to make sense to me. The type 1 is like $1 each and the the type 2 are like $5 each. But yeah I will see if I can find any info about long term issues.

or flip it and record shit onto your tracks backwarddddddddddds.

So if I wanted to record shit backwards onto an existing track, that is how I would do it ? Or would it be really hard to determine the exact correct point to insert something/where it would go?


It should be here Monday. Is everyone as excited as I am?

[rfurtkamp]

What matters in the end is that it works for you and you're happy.

More than I would have paid but that's the last iteration of a very solid unit.

For more lo-fi options (that are selectable), run the tape at a slower speed (crank the dial slower) when recording.

Also, remember on an analog device hotter levels are your friend, including past 0 db (varies by unit how far) in some cases.

I did a lot of our live shows with a couple flying room mics and a 414 of that era in the last few years, and you'd never know after proper mastering.

[Ugly Nora]

Thanks for the pro-tips, young man. I will be sure to try that. $300 is in my impulse buy range, so I pulled the trigger. I am sure I will get $300 worth of fun out it.

[Pop]

GOOD WORK EVERYONE!

[Ugly Nora]

Well I got it today. I messed around with it for a bit and made a simple 2 track recording just to see if it works - drumbeat and drone over top. No changes, set it and forget it. I can already tell I am going to like this son of a bitch though.

Here is my test. Don't worry, it sucks, but it does work which was the point.

Elektron Machinedrum>MF Drive
Skychord Zodiac

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/norabillycollective/424a[/soundcloud]

[Chankgeez]

Off to a promising start.

[Ugly Nora]

Yeah lets be honest, that is probably the best I will ever do. It is all downhill from here.

[Chankgeez]

I'm not sure how much further down you'd be able to go from that little test there.

[Ugly Nora]

Don't underestimate me.

[Chankgeez]

Alright, record some tape hiss for us.