Great stuff - I'm a fellow 4-track tragic and I absolutely love all the nerdy detail you give on how you work! The rig is fantastic - well done! Just stumbled across your channel this weekend and subscribed straight away
lovely stuff, you made it look quick and easy but I know lots of effort went into that. Lovely old tascam mixer and nice eq, I'd like to get one of those
Never mind the pressure for slick videos, it’s just nice to see how you work! If I’d change anything, it’s audio. You could get a really cheap audio interface/mixer that works with your phone for both voice and music. But you’ll find out what’s most important to you on the way :)
Thanks mate! yeah for sure that'd be better to have something that makes this sound better. It's just a matter of convenience really and time messing about with it. I could throw up a ribbon mic and capture the audio that way and edit in imovie but then that's going down the route of more time consuming editing which I wanna get away from!
Same here! I’m planning to get a little class compliant Behringer mixer/interface, so it’s only a matter of plugging your phone in. It’s good not to get too distracted from the music :)
@@LYFoulidis Thats what I struggled with going down the video route when I did my big video last year, it took 6 months to complete and I wasn't writing and recording because of making a video haha
Thanks for posting this up. Could you recommend a microphone that is similar to the electrovoice RE 10 but on more of a budget? I’m currently use a Shure SM 57.
@@andypickeringmusic Thanks for the information. I absolutely love your Marantz Four Track, very cool. I have a Tascam 424 MK 2 which I adore. I subbed to your channel, keep up the good work. PS no need to apologise for not having fantastic production on your videos, some youtubers have great production and graphics but they are not really saying anything or teaching you anything. I’d rather be educated with one continuous shot, it’s content over bling all day long.
@@bigsby19 thanks for the kind words! I was hoping that the music would shine through in the vids over production value as that's the real estate so to say. Do you use a Daw hybrid?
This is great, thanks for putting it together! I was wondering if you have attempted increasing the tape speed to 7.5ips or faster? If your Marantz runs at 3.75ips, I realise that increasing it to 7.5ips would halve recording time and may mean 1 song per tape in some cases - but, depending on what you're after, it could be worth the extra tape?. I like the use of the analogue outboard gear! This is actually the kind of demo I was hoping to see. Basics, without a computer. In a world where just about everyone assumes you own a computer, cell phone, etc and will continue along that particular technology highway along with the rest of the "Us", "We", "together" crowd, as if it's...mandatory. Well fu*k that! Gamma Ferric oxide is not to be sneezed at.
Thanks for the kind words I'm with you there! This is what gets me going recording real music the old way! As for the tape speed, I don't think any cassette machines run at a higher speed and I'm sure such mods to go upto 7.5ips, would be too fast for the actual format to handle compared to open reel
It's sounding swell and is a good example of what can be achieved. And Jazz players, etc, could also get some idea of how the format may effect their recorded sound. I thought the same thing about the mechanisms not being able to handle the speed... But then considered that there are those multi cassette tape duplication recorders out there, which run very fast. There is no difference in fidelity in that case, because the source is also moving very fast - but it may demonstrate that the components (being that of similar, the same, or worse quality) may not be a limiting factor if one were to modify a multitrack cassette recorder to run at 7.5ips or faster.
@@andypickeringmusic I'm guessing that the multi cassette duplication machines all record so the tape can be played at standard cassette player speed. So if you had recorded at standard speed there's 1 generation of loss (like you get when bouncing tracks), but pretty much the same. And if you had recorded at 3.75ips, then yes, the duplicate at standard speed would be lower fidelity, plus a bit lower due to generational loss. And perhaps there could be more risk of dropouts, etc, running at such a fast speed on a low quality duplicator. What I meant was that, the speed of those duplicate machines is to reduce recording time - with source and tape running at the same speed. It shows that the machinery could be up to the job on multitrack cassette recorders - which may actually have better components. Lots of people have done a tape speed mod on much more crappy cassette recorders, for changing speed with cassette loops and so on. I'm guessing there is no tape speed selector (to choose faster speeds) on the cassette multitracks, general cassette recorders, etc, because it was about tape length (recording time) mostly. And yeah, cost of adding that option - which wouldn't be much, but maybe, because the machines would sell fine without it to the target market, they left it out..... Kind of a poor business decision (if that's what it was), because offering faster speeds and thus, higher fidelity, would have made the machines more appealing to musicians seeking that higher fidelity which = a stall at a much bigger market, for very little cost. Maybe it makes more sense nowadays, where reel-to-reel only seems to be going up in price. I mean a brand new multitrack cassette recorder. Preferably based on an original Nakamichi 1000, with just the Dynamic Noise Limiter, if needed. Speed selection added. A 4 track one and an 8 track one (like a Tascam 688, 238, etc). The 4 track at the faster speed would be the most hi-fi - wider tracks and more tape used. 8 track would still be pretty good. I know alot of people would jump on something like that if it was sold at a reasonable price - even if to reduce cost it left out a few things, such as punching in and stuff which is on the 688.
Great video! We just finished a concept album recorded on the Tascam 488 Portastudio. It's alt-folk with some experimental sounds like tape loops, musical saw, synths, etc. Check it out on our channel if you want! Keep up the great content!
I love this way of working. I wish I kept my 4 track.
Wonderful playing Sir.
Thanks! One of my favourite piano pieces
So good!
gaaawd you are soooo talented and wow what a sultry piano mr. groovy man 🎹 🎩🔥
So cool you do these videos, thanks a lot. Cheers!
My pleasure, hopefully will keep them rolling !
Andy - beautiful music as always - piano sounds amazing!
Thankyou, Its a 1955 Challen like the Beatles used at Abbey Road (and they still have 2 there in use today)
I love how I googled this machine and the first article was your post on gearslutz!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Haha nice, served me well that article although I got the manufacture of the matantz wrong, they are from 93 and probably wernt the last 😂
Great stuff - I'm a fellow 4-track tragic and I absolutely love all the nerdy detail you give on how you work! The rig is fantastic - well done! Just stumbled across your channel this weekend and subscribed straight away
Great that you share the same interest! thank you for the sub
lovely stuff, you made it look quick and easy but I know lots of effort went into that. Lovely old tascam mixer and nice eq, I'd like to get one of those
Thanks! I got real lucky with that mixer. Sounds great
Love the Tascam mixer
It's a great solid bit of kit
Heck yeah! Keep making them, shaky or not! You’ve got some sweet gear and sounds sir. Looking forward to more videos!
Thanks, hope you've managed to see some of my new ones
Ohh heck man...you are being way too hard on yourself. I am a 69 year old musician in the states.. And I think you've done a Great Job!
Thank you! More videos coming so keep tuned
Great job! Tune sounds a bit like a William Wild song “Dreamin’.”
Nice one! I just checked that out. Yes some similar vibes 👌
BTW the Song is Called "She Led Me Down The Garden Path" and is on my latest release on bandcamp if you want to listen :)
Never mind the pressure for slick videos, it’s just nice to see how you work!
If I’d change anything, it’s audio. You could get a really cheap audio interface/mixer that works with your phone for both voice and music. But you’ll find out what’s most important to you on the way :)
Thanks mate! yeah for sure that'd be better to have something that makes this sound better. It's just a matter of convenience really and time messing about with it. I could throw up a ribbon mic and capture the audio that way and edit in imovie but then that's going down the route of more time consuming editing which I wanna get away from!
Same here! I’m planning to get a little class compliant Behringer mixer/interface, so it’s only a matter of plugging your phone in. It’s good not to get too distracted from the music :)
@@LYFoulidis Thats what I struggled with going down the video route when I did my big video last year, it took 6 months to complete and I wasn't writing and recording because of making a video haha
Thanks for posting this up. Could you recommend a microphone that is similar to the electrovoice RE 10 but on more of a budget? I’m currently use a Shure SM 57.
I don't have a vast knowledge of dynamic mics that sound like the re 10, maybe an akg d190?
@@andypickeringmusic Thanks for the information. I absolutely love your Marantz Four Track, very cool. I have a Tascam 424 MK 2 which I adore. I subbed to your channel, keep up the good work.
PS no need to apologise for not having fantastic production on your videos, some youtubers have great production and graphics but they are not really saying anything or teaching you anything. I’d rather be educated with one continuous shot, it’s content over bling all day long.
@@bigsby19 thanks for the kind words! I was hoping that the music would shine through in the vids over production value as that's the real estate so to say. Do you use a Daw hybrid?
This is great, thanks for putting it together! I was wondering if you have attempted increasing the tape speed to 7.5ips or faster? If your Marantz runs at 3.75ips, I realise that increasing it to 7.5ips would halve recording time and may mean 1 song per tape in some cases - but, depending on what you're after, it could be worth the extra tape?.
I like the use of the analogue outboard gear! This is actually the kind of demo I was hoping to see. Basics, without a computer. In a world where just about everyone assumes you own a computer, cell phone, etc and will continue along that particular technology highway along with the rest of the "Us", "We", "together" crowd, as if it's...mandatory.
Well fu*k that! Gamma Ferric oxide is not to be sneezed at.
Thanks for the kind words I'm with you there! This is what gets me going recording real music the old way!
As for the tape speed, I don't think any cassette machines run at a higher speed and I'm sure such mods to go upto 7.5ips, would be too fast for the actual format to handle compared to open reel
It's sounding swell and is a good example of what can be achieved. And Jazz players, etc, could also get some idea of how the format may effect their recorded sound.
I thought the same thing about the mechanisms not being able to handle the speed... But then considered that there are those multi cassette tape duplication recorders out there, which run very fast. There is no difference in fidelity in that case, because the source is also moving very fast - but it may demonstrate that the components (being that of similar, the same, or worse quality) may not be a limiting factor if one were to modify a multitrack cassette recorder to run at 7.5ips or faster.
@@Kyle-sg4rm maybe it's a cost thing? I always thought fast duplication machines were lowering the quality?
@@andypickeringmusic I'm guessing that the multi cassette duplication machines all record so the tape can be played at standard cassette player speed. So if you had recorded at standard speed there's 1 generation of loss (like you get when bouncing tracks), but pretty much the same. And if you had recorded at 3.75ips, then yes, the duplicate at standard speed would be lower fidelity, plus a bit lower due to generational loss. And perhaps there could be more risk of dropouts, etc, running at such a fast speed on a low quality duplicator.
What I meant was that, the speed of those duplicate machines is to reduce recording time - with source and tape running at the same speed.
It shows that the machinery could be up to the job on multitrack cassette recorders - which may actually have better components.
Lots of people have done a tape speed mod on much more crappy cassette recorders, for changing speed with cassette loops and so on.
I'm guessing there is no tape speed selector (to choose faster speeds) on the cassette multitracks, general cassette recorders, etc, because it was about tape length (recording time) mostly. And yeah, cost of adding that option - which wouldn't be much, but maybe, because the machines would sell fine without it to the target market, they left it out..... Kind of a poor business decision (if that's what it was), because offering faster speeds and thus, higher fidelity, would have made the machines more appealing to musicians seeking that higher fidelity which = a stall at a much bigger market, for very little cost.
Maybe it makes more sense nowadays, where reel-to-reel only seems to be going up in price. I mean a brand new multitrack cassette recorder. Preferably based on an original Nakamichi 1000, with just the Dynamic Noise Limiter, if needed. Speed selection added. A 4 track one and an 8 track one (like a Tascam 688, 238, etc). The 4 track at the faster speed would be the most hi-fi - wider tracks and more tape used. 8 track would still be pretty good.
I know alot of people would jump on something like that if it was sold at a reasonable price - even if to reduce cost it left out a few things, such as punching in and stuff which is on the 688.
What kind of tape is that? Are you using a type I? I keep hearing off people using them in their 4-tracks but I haven’t tried it.
I use type 2,that was a no label chrome I got from tape line, where old tape stock was filled in blank shells
Great video! We just finished a concept album recorded on the Tascam 488 Portastudio. It's alt-folk with some experimental sounds like tape loops, musical saw, synths, etc. Check it out on our channel if you want! Keep up the great content!
Thanks mate :)) Thats so cool just subbed and gonna check it out!
what headphones are you using ?
Sennheiser HD 595 open back for listening. And the white ones are some 70s (Sansui?) closed back for tracking