We are recording a band right now onto 2" 456 tape with a Studer A 827. To save money on tape costs, we are getting a good take on tape and then dumping the tracks to Pro Tools. Then we re-record over the tape for the next song and so on.

My question is: is there a concern about the tape 'wearing out'? How much can you re-record over the same real before it becomes noticably degraded? And what are the signs that it has gotten to that point? Wev'e been using the same reel for about a week, and I feel like I might be starting to notice some 'dullness', but I can't tell if my ears are playing tricks on me. Thanks for any info.

this is not really that related I guess but I usually change the tape on my tape delay when you can visibly see some wear on the tape unless I'm being a cheap fucker and leave it on there til I can't stand the noise any longer...

I would say that if you are noticing some dullness then it is probably there and that rather than your ears playing tricks on you your mind is trying to convince you that it's ok when it isn't

BadComrade wrote:Why not just record straight in to pro tools if it's gonna wind up there anyway?

Yep.

if you're recording over the tape for a week and it's already sounding shitty, the machine probably isn't set up right.

BadComrade wrote:Why not just record straight in to pro tools if it's gonna wind up there anyway?

i think there is something very valid by capturing the take on 2" tape, and then having it come over to the digital relm. it just makes things take a lot longer... i've been very happy with recording basics on 2" 16 track and then having them put into the PT, if you must end up there...

Thanks Jeremy.

you should be able to re-record over the tape a bunch of times. I think hundreds of times, actually. Dont worry about it.

for a weekend session you should be totally fine. the less use is better of course. tape sets a good pace to a session. i hope once you get to the PT part, you are keeping takes that you would for tape. the studer should be in top working order, that is a whole other animal pertaining to the longevity of the tape. i do this pretty often (tape to PT), but i did make a point to not rent out tape at my studio...for all the reasons that this seemed to put tape close out to pasture. good recordings!

i have been in stupid cirumstances where a band will bring in the wrong tape stock than what they thought they had...that leaves me to: making coffee, setting up mics, getting sounds, callibrating the machine, adjusting erase current, answering the phone, being totally accomodating while in a total pinch for time, etc. all in a timely matter cause this all has to happen in a day...

i have always been in the school of thought that if you are wearing out the tape on takes, especially on basic tracking, then maybe you should practice more...i am so not trying to be a dick. variables. meh. good times.

How does the machine's condition and how it's set up affect the longevity of the tape?

basically if the transport functions have gone out of spec: the reel height, if the tape is rubbing a bit on the reel this affects the tension of the tape travel over the heads of the machine, if the tape lifters are dirty then in FF RW the tape is getting grated away, if there is any burrs in the tape path this also applies, if the braking of the machine is off, the tape can be stretched. hell if the tape has been stored poorly there can be excessive shedding and sticking...the pinch roller also needs to be inspected, that will kill a section of tape very quickly...hope this gets the idea started!