I searched this but I want to find out more.
I know that Digital Recording is overtaking Analog Recording in terms of efficiency and quality. I also know that there are a lot more possibilities now with the way Digital recording has evolved.
What I want to know is how to achieve that vintage Analog sound. Does it have something to do with tape saturation? I know you can't do this particular technique with Digital Recording.
It sort of has a warmth to it and an angular feel, if you know what I mean.
Just want to clear something up.
PS: I am a beginner and have very limited knowledge of this.
Interested in Analog Recording
2There really is no secret technique behind recording on tape, it is just different than digital.
Get a mixer and a tape machine which best suit your needs and you're ready to go.
''Vintage Sound'', which i usually intend as 50' - 60' recordings, was probably due to the equipment used in those years and different approaches to recordings, different techinques.
Get a mixer and a tape machine which best suit your needs and you're ready to go.
''Vintage Sound'', which i usually intend as 50' - 60' recordings, was probably due to the equipment used in those years and different approaches to recordings, different techinques.
Interested in Analog Recording
3I'm surprised that the original poster has not yet been bloodgeoned to death by some of the people around this forum, since the debates on analog and digital can get really feisty around here 
in any case, back to topic:
there are software plug-ins that emulate tape saturation, some to a quite extensive degree. here are some pages where you can get more info:
http://www.protoolerblog.com/2007/05/01 ... emulators/
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/printview ... 4&start=15
There are also tape machines around for sale on eBAY.
yesterday I saw this on a music store display (although it's not quite the same thing)...
http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_pro ... egory_id=3
It has been reported here in the forums that getting a studio-quality analogue tape recorder is a serious investment of time and money.
So consider it carefully.
However, I think you might be making a mistake in searching for tape saturation as the "holy grail" that will save your tune.
The reason why people love analog recordings is mostly due to the recording techniques that were used in the recording of the albums.
Having some tape saturation was just an icing on the cake.
If you record everything in a digital mindset, and then apply tape saturation, it will all sound a bit fake.
Basically, these days, digital recordings sound too slick and artificial, mostly because the microphone placements that are commonplace nowadays, isolate the sounds too much, to the point where we can't even feel the sound of the room anymore.
Old recording techniques favoured the element of "performance" as opposed to "manipulation of sound after being recorded", or, in other words, "fixing it in the mix".
With analog recordings, you can feel the human element more, because the recording techniques focused on that.
These days, in the digital realm, the most common mistakes are...
...performances edited ad-nauseum with plug-ins, including pitch/tempo correction, to the point that the recordings sound mechanical, lifeless, and too perfect for its own good.
...The excessive use of eq in consoles in too much tracks introduces phase shift that deteriorates overall sound quality (unless, that is, people enjoy the sound of phase shift, which can occur). Spending as much time as possible getting the best sound from the microphones, and applying only minimal eq, helps a lot.
...excessive use of overdubbing, as opposed to recording as many things "live" as possible. This creates a recording that is often very distant from the exciting "live" sound that bands have at concerts.
When hearing the recording, we often lose the notion that these are human beings playing in the same room. This might be a bad thing (unless, of course, it was intended in the first place)...
...the myth of "radio-ready" mixes, over-compressed, with no dynamic range, and audible (digital) distortion, that suck the life out of the recording.
...much more could be mentioned, but I think these are good points to start addressing in your recordings.
Tape saturation can come later.
in any case, back to topic:
there are software plug-ins that emulate tape saturation, some to a quite extensive degree. here are some pages where you can get more info:
http://www.protoolerblog.com/2007/05/01 ... emulators/
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/printview ... 4&start=15
There are also tape machines around for sale on eBAY.
yesterday I saw this on a music store display (although it's not quite the same thing)...
http://www.korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_pro ... egory_id=3
It has been reported here in the forums that getting a studio-quality analogue tape recorder is a serious investment of time and money.
So consider it carefully.
However, I think you might be making a mistake in searching for tape saturation as the "holy grail" that will save your tune.
The reason why people love analog recordings is mostly due to the recording techniques that were used in the recording of the albums.
Having some tape saturation was just an icing on the cake.
If you record everything in a digital mindset, and then apply tape saturation, it will all sound a bit fake.
Basically, these days, digital recordings sound too slick and artificial, mostly because the microphone placements that are commonplace nowadays, isolate the sounds too much, to the point where we can't even feel the sound of the room anymore.
Old recording techniques favoured the element of "performance" as opposed to "manipulation of sound after being recorded", or, in other words, "fixing it in the mix".
With analog recordings, you can feel the human element more, because the recording techniques focused on that.
These days, in the digital realm, the most common mistakes are...
...performances edited ad-nauseum with plug-ins, including pitch/tempo correction, to the point that the recordings sound mechanical, lifeless, and too perfect for its own good.
...The excessive use of eq in consoles in too much tracks introduces phase shift that deteriorates overall sound quality (unless, that is, people enjoy the sound of phase shift, which can occur). Spending as much time as possible getting the best sound from the microphones, and applying only minimal eq, helps a lot.
...excessive use of overdubbing, as opposed to recording as many things "live" as possible. This creates a recording that is often very distant from the exciting "live" sound that bands have at concerts.
When hearing the recording, we often lose the notion that these are human beings playing in the same room. This might be a bad thing (unless, of course, it was intended in the first place)...
...the myth of "radio-ready" mixes, over-compressed, with no dynamic range, and audible (digital) distortion, that suck the life out of the recording.
...much more could be mentioned, but I think these are good points to start addressing in your recordings.
Tape saturation can come later.
Last edited by bebio_Archive on Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
Interested in Analog Recording
4Steve -
If you want to understand the major differences between analog and digital recording, take a look at this thread - Radar 24.
The argument presupposes no difference in the quality of the sound of digital and analog recording.
If you want to understand what's going on behind using analog recording as a sonic effect, look at this - Tape Choice.
= Justin
If you want to understand the major differences between analog and digital recording, take a look at this thread - Radar 24.
The argument presupposes no difference in the quality of the sound of digital and analog recording.
If you want to understand what's going on behind using analog recording as a sonic effect, look at this - Tape Choice.
= Justin
Interested in Analog Recording
5I wonder if this is Steve quizzing us to see how much we've learned from his generous forum over the years.
Interested in Analog Recording
7Lemuel Gulliver wrote:I wonder if this is Steve quizzing us to see how much we've learned from his generous forum over the years.
actually, I am compiling a pdf about Electrical Audio and Steve's work.
Most of it is gathered from this forum.
Recording Techniques, Session Documentation Pics (the ones I could still find, that is), interviews with Steve in Sound On Sound and more,
Posts from people in this forum with advices on mike placement techniques, etc.
My band is now recording our first EP by ourselves, and I thought I needed some easy-to-consult reference, from people whose opinion I trust.
That's why I started compiling all of this. it's currently at 100 pages, and looking to grow.
Interested in Analog Recording
8bebio wrote:actually, I am compiling a pdf about Electrical Audio and Steve's work.
Most of it is gathered from this forum.
Recording Techniques, Session Documentation Pics (the ones I could still find, that is), interviews with Steve in Sound On Sound and more,
Posts from people in this forum with advices on mike placement techniques, etc.
My band is now recording our first EP by ourselves, and I thought I needed some easy-to-consult reference, from people whose opinion I trust.
That's why I started compiling all of this. it's currently at 100 pages, and looking to grow.
Be sure to post it when you're done. I'd be very interested in seeing this.
Interested in Analog Recording
9GrossOldWig wrote:bebio wrote:actually, I am compiling a pdf about Electrical Audio and Steve's work.
Most of it is gathered from this forum.
Recording Techniques, Session Documentation Pics (the ones I could still find, that is), interviews with Steve in Sound On Sound and more,
Posts from people in this forum with advices on mike placement techniques, etc.
My band is now recording our first EP by ourselves, and I thought I needed some easy-to-consult reference, from people whose opinion I trust.
That's why I started compiling all of this. it's currently at 100 pages, and looking to grow.
Be sure to post it when you're done. I'd be very interested in seeing this.
me too.
great idea bebio!