If you feel it’s a challenge, balancing the left + right channel, then do what we did in the old days: equip the original master with a lead-in test tone, 1 khz would be good. Making sure the tone makes it over to the DAW. Then, when you’ve got your final master in the DAW, the left + right channels balance is real easy to find.
What I like to do, is to put a stereo image analyzer (I use Adptr Metric AB for this) on the receiving DAW track while monitoring off the tape, so I can check that the overall image is centered.
This is a great video!!! About 6 months ago I purchased a 1/4 inch AKIA portable tape machine from a thrift which would only play after I warmed it up for like 20 minutes so I pulled the front off and put new belts and found a bad cap replaced it and now use this exact same method on many of my final masters. Many of my friends noticed the sound and asked what was new. Whew! Thank goodness for your video, now I don't have to make one to show the process as you nailed it here. Your tape deck is super and adds a delicious amount of character. I love what you said at the end. 2 things A. Tape =the sound of a "record" and B. when you are done you are done move on. Also, I now know where to get good tape when my supply of 456 is used up. Thank you much❤
Uh oh, I wrote AKIA or maybe it was spell check the real brand is AIWA which I had no idea have around long enough to have manufactured tape recorders the vacuum tubes but sometimes it is good to be wrong🤓
@@vvundertone keep your eye out at second hand places and I recently learned that good will sells online and so there is tons of unusual audio and electronic stuff to see, to bad they sometimes price too high but other times you win.
Beautiful song... got the blind test right my self. A and C sound warm, tape helps the bass have its own space in the mix.. Thanks for another inspiring video.
I was on a phone, could not tell but in the control room found I got it right was it because I knew before the studio listen? The world may never know😆
Congrats for the new 'No Day Job' status. I hope that brings more quality content from you ❤. I have a couple of questions: 1. How do you handle with color difference between L&R? My Revox sounds way different between sides. 2. Do you need to record on an empty tape reel? How do you erase old recordings to get new tape space? Thanks.
Thank you. I am ready up the quality and quantity! 1: I'm no doctor but that sounds like a electronic problem. I assume one is darker? Finding a reliable tech is paramount to not going crazy. One way to diagnose this would be to use it as a preamp, bypassing the tape and going straight to the DAW to determine if its electronic or tape head issue. If it sounds fine as a preamp, I suggest giving the heads a good clean and demagnetization. 2: When I first started all I did was record over old tape. Issue is not all tape is created equal, and some old tape does not age well and can leave residue on your machine. Also recording over tape often has some bleed through. Its important to have a proper erasing machine, which even still depending on how hot the previous recording is can still suffer bleed though. Using new tape is ideal for important projects. I determine it on a case by case basis. For example if I am recording really loud processed synth, I can record over something old and it will most likely cover it well. But if I am recording something soft like acoustic instrument, then new fresh tape is the way.
I'm in love with version A. Very proud I could tell B was digital. This means I need to pull the trigger on a reel to reel. Having switched from DAW to mostly hardware; I still print (rec) in my DAW. My internal debate is do I want a 8 ch to track, or do I want a 2 ch to bounce final mixes to tape. If you haven't already, would love a video about that topic.
I would say if you already have switched to hardware mostly then it would be fun to get a multitrack! The video doesn’t show any of the maintenance that comes with owning a tape machine but it is a lot of work actually, especially for multitracks machine. You’ll have to do your research of course, but for multitrack machines I would not recommend any of the TASCAM’s lower entry models like the 80-8, 38, or even the latest TSR-8 etc… they are not reliable. There are some otari 8 track decks like the mx5050 that are great
@@martinleroy5350 Thanks for your in-depth reply. The only thing that has been keeping me away from buying a multitrack tape machine is the cost and maintenance. I appreciate your suggestions about going with a higher quality deck. I don't doubt my near future will involve tracking to tape, it's just mostly cost holding me back. Much respect
Great video, in the video you say “We’ll never know ‘till we play it back.” As you know you can monitor what is coming off tape in real (Slightly delayed) time as you make adjustments to smash or not smash the red “Like” meters
@@HappyFamilySingers On a RtR the playback head is the playback head, no trick like in some portastudios where the record head can be used as a playback head,. What you hear from it is what will be played back.
@@FLH3official I was confused then I looked at the way I typed my comment and see I am the confuser, I meant that if you give the play back a listen before you dismiss and retake a recording while what you have me got may not be where you want to be it can still guide your approach to another take it would be great if there were a playback head that could play tracks you have not recorded yet!!! Or is that what A.I. music is? Perhaps not that great🤓
I could tell C was hard tape, even on my computer speakers. I couldn't tell the difference between DAW and soft though. I'll need to relisten on my good monitors. Very cool experiment.
Can you do another video showing how many times you can send the same song through the Revox to achieve the sound of degraded tape? Most songs we love went through 4-6 passes through the tape machine after being sent around from the artist to the mixer and mastered etc.. hence what gave records that sound
Excellent video per usual! Just wanted to mention I had the same issue with my Apollo! Ended up being a failing voltage regulator. Had to get mine repaired, no warranty 😢
This was fun! I really liked A the best. B sounded harsh and a bit shrill. C sounded overcompressed and choked . I have an Otari 4 track RTR and I refuse to part with it. I love how tape tames the high end in a pleasing way, and tightens up the low end.
Thank you RTM for producing quality tape (tape, period!) in this digital day. I don't engineer and produce any more; but it's nice to think there are still people out there who appreciate TAPE recording. NOW ... if Kodak and Ilford would go back to producing color print and transparency and B&W film again; and if Nikon would make parts to repair their many built-in light meters ... there would be a whole passel of people whose shouts of glee would be worthy of recording onto reel-to-reel tape! See how I worked all that in there? Pretty clever, what?
Doing same thing for years with my favorite Revox B77 ❤ (with RTM and Emtec tapes). Sometimes using Zonal, Agfa and Basf also. Sound profile differs from tape to tape, and some used Maxell or TDK may blow your mind unexpectedly 🤤👌
Nice, i have everything to sample loops on tape, multitrack the stems and then master on a revox b77 but only only used in when i’m really in the mood for that. Btw flickering stuff on audio interfaces is usually related to a power issue.
Another great video! Do you ever do re-amping with guitars or drums? Would be cool to see tape incorporated into a re-amping digital to analog type video!!
As an analog enthusiast, loving your videos a lot ! But I also love the visual part of your videos as well ! Mind sharing how you get those film colors and textures ? Are you using Davinci Resolve to edit your videos ? Love that look a lot, fits perfectly with your analog aesthetics ! Big up from Lithuania !
My first machine ever! Miss it dearly. Watching that thing go at 15ips is truly something to marvel at. Sm911 will sing through that beauty, I hope it brings you decades of inspiration.
I vibed with this whole thing, but TBH, I picked B on my first (and blind) pass. I think this production is already so beautifully wavy and saturated in different ways, the song doesn't quite need it. For the record (haha) I have a lot of early experience (83-90ish) with both 2 and multi-track analog tape, so at this point I'm not really digging into those corners. our new spot will have a lovely Tascam 106 with a matched Tascam rack mounted 4 track cassette deck (boxed up right now, forget the model number) that we definitely plan to use. Beautiful song too, what was your role on that?
Hey! My understanding is that A77s can come as 4 tracks or 2 tracks, with the 2 track being higher fidelity because it's using more of the tape per track compared to the 4 track. Just curious which one yours is!
nice video, thank you for sharing! for final bounces like this you might like ATR master tape even more than LPR-35. I liked LPR-90 more than 35. 90 is cleaner and ATR is cleaner still. you get less added bass if i recall correctly. LPR-35 gives you more saturation and more bass, but I now reach for it when i really want to tape-ify something, whereas for final mixes, I would go straight to the ATR now that I've tried it. SM911 didn't jibe with me/my machine much at all. my machine is just a teac 4300sx so in effect i'm fairly underbiased for those tapes, but i like how that gives you more saturation in the high end, as well as doing nice stuff to the bass.
SM911 is the same tape formulation as LPR-35, and each machine needs to be adjusted for a specific type of tape. You shouldn't just be swapping types without calibrating your device first. It's also a somewhat pointless endeavor if your machine doesn't record at least 15 IPS, to fully reap the benefit of the increased headroom / DB that LPR-90 can provide. If clarity and fidelity is your objective, then 15 to 30 IPS is essential. I wouldn't refer to recording at 7.5 IPS as "mastering". Personally I calibrated my machine for 15 IPS LPR-35 because I've found it results in a velvety vintage hifi sound I'm aiming for. IMO tape actually starts to sound quite unpleasant when it's producing too many high frequencies.
My biggest reason for tape mastering is the ability to adjust the speed/pitch very slightly without having any of the limitations imposed by discrete mathematics.
Joe Meek, one of my biggest inspirations once said he couldn't think of a single record that would not benefit from a tiny speed adjustment. I fully agree. I wish I had a machine with variable speed. Discrete mathematic limitations is a classy way to say digital pitch manipulation is ass. 🤣
when my mentor told me the difference between mixing in the box than using a analog gear blow my mind, its hard to perceive but i think digital close the stereo. idk but the sound is more narrow than using analog. this and mid-side eq is my favourite technics in mix and mastering
I appreciate that! Putting something out about my video process in the future for sure. For LUTS I use by Jamie Windsor, and for this video I tried something new. These are by Serr! I sell 35mm grain overlays which I sneak into each video and thumbnail (vvunder-vision) on the site. But LUTS I haven't cracked that code yet!
1: Sony a7s (first generation) 2: Vintage Nikon manual focus lens (35mm f1.8) 3: Promist filter (quarter strength) 4: Intentional lighting 5: LUTS (this video I am trying a new one from youtube creator Serr) 6: vvunder-vision overlays Will release a video on my visual production process in the future.
Sorry to be the one to tell you this but your Apollo interface is indeed possessed by *actual* demons. ................................................Cool Track!😈
my mind was saying: A is the best, B sucks (fuck B), C is good but A is a tiny bit better somehow. When I saw B was digital I thought: Oh... do I have to buy a tape machine now?
Haha! I am so glad I decided to do a soft pass last minute. I wish I would of done my conclusions post video editing because by the end I was favoring A too!!
Why don't you just do EVERYTHING in analog? All your music should be recorded in Analog. Editing mixing and mastering should be done on the computer but the analog copy should also be released!
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
Wake up babe, vvundertone dropped a new video ....
i love the internet ☺️
@@vvundertone This is my life to. Thank you for adding so much vibe to my life 🙏☀
If you feel it’s a challenge, balancing the left + right channel, then do what we did in the old days: equip the original master with a lead-in test tone, 1 khz would be good. Making sure the tone makes it over to the DAW. Then, when you’ve got your final master in the DAW, the left + right channels balance is real easy to find.
What I like to do, is to put a stereo image analyzer (I use Adptr Metric AB for this) on the receiving DAW track while monitoring off the tape, so I can check that the overall image is centered.
@ Even better. If the stereo image is supposed to be centered. 🙂
Yep❤
@seI am gonna try this
@@sebguyaderI am gonna try this
This is a great video!!! About 6 months ago I purchased a 1/4 inch AKIA portable tape machine from a thrift which would only play after I warmed it up for like 20 minutes so I pulled the front off and put new belts and found a bad cap replaced it and now use this exact same method on many of my final masters. Many of my friends noticed the sound and asked what was new. Whew! Thank goodness for your video, now I don't have to make one to show the process as you nailed it here. Your tape deck is super and adds a delicious amount of character. I love what you said at the end. 2 things A. Tape =the sound of a "record" and B. when you are done you are done move on. Also, I now know where to get good tape when my supply of 456 is used up. Thank you much❤
AKAI is incredible. One day I hope to get a machine or even a preamp! Its amazing how the benefits of tape and analog expand beyond sound.
Uh oh, I wrote AKIA or maybe it was spell check the real brand is AIWA which I had no idea have around long enough to have manufactured tape recorders the vacuum tubes but sometimes it is good to be wrong🤓
@@vvundertone keep your eye out at second hand places and I recently learned that good will sells online and so there is tons of unusual audio and electronic stuff to see, to bad they sometimes price too high but other times you win.
Oh my goodness, is this how all analog music sounds, it's so warm and wide, I need this😢
Beautiful song... got the blind test right my self. A and C sound warm, tape helps the bass have its own space in the mix.. Thanks for another inspiring video.
I was on a phone, could not tell but in the control room found I got it right was it because I knew before the studio listen? The world may never know😆
Congrats for the new 'No Day Job' status. I hope that brings more quality content from you ❤.
I have a couple of questions:
1. How do you handle with color difference between L&R? My Revox sounds way different between sides.
2. Do you need to record on an empty tape reel? How do you erase old recordings to get new tape space?
Thanks.
Thank you. I am ready up the quality and quantity!
1: I'm no doctor but that sounds like a electronic problem. I assume one is darker? Finding a reliable tech is paramount to not going crazy. One way to diagnose this would be to use it as a preamp, bypassing the tape and going straight to the DAW to determine if its electronic or tape head issue. If it sounds fine as a preamp, I suggest giving the heads a good clean and demagnetization.
2: When I first started all I did was record over old tape. Issue is not all tape is created equal, and some old tape does not age well and can leave residue on your machine. Also recording over tape often has some bleed through. Its important to have a proper erasing machine, which even still depending on how hot the previous recording is can still suffer bleed though. Using new tape is ideal for important projects. I determine it on a case by case basis. For example if I am recording really loud processed synth, I can record over something old and it will most likely cover it well. But if I am recording something soft like acoustic instrument, then new fresh tape is the way.
@ Thanks for the thorough response. Will keep you updated with results.
Great video! 👍
I'm in love with version A. Very proud I could tell B was digital. This means I need to pull the trigger on a reel to reel. Having switched from DAW to mostly hardware; I still print (rec) in my DAW. My internal debate is do I want a 8 ch to track, or do I want a 2 ch to bounce final mixes to tape. If you haven't already, would love a video about that topic.
I would say if you already have switched to hardware mostly then it would be fun to get a multitrack!
The video doesn’t show any of the maintenance that comes with owning a tape machine but it is a lot of work actually, especially for multitracks machine.
You’ll have to do your research of course, but for multitrack machines I would not recommend any of the TASCAM’s lower entry models like the 80-8, 38, or even the latest TSR-8 etc… they are not reliable.
There are some otari 8 track decks like the mx5050 that are great
@@martinleroy5350 Thanks for your in-depth reply. The only thing that has been keeping me away from buying a multitrack tape machine is the cost and maintenance. I appreciate your suggestions about going with a higher quality deck. I don't doubt my near future will involve tracking to tape, it's just mostly cost holding me back. Much respect
Great video, in the video you say “We’ll never know ‘till we play it back.” As you know you can monitor what is coming off tape in real (Slightly delayed) time as you make adjustments to smash or not smash the red “Like” meters
The playback head will offer a slightly different flavor but could save time ballparking
@@HappyFamilySingers On a RtR the playback head is the playback head, no trick like in some portastudios where the record head can be used as a playback head,. What you hear from it is what will be played back.
@@HappyFamilySingers nope.
@@FLH3official I was confused then I looked at the way I typed my comment and see I am the confuser, I meant that if you give the play back a listen before you dismiss and retake a recording while what you have me got may not be where you want to be it can still guide your approach to another take it would be great if there were a playback head that could play tracks you have not recorded yet!!! Or is that what A.I. music is? Perhaps not that great🤓
Dude... This is so amazingly helpful!!! You are the man. Don´t stop. I´m learning tons with you. And these songs are sweet a fiaaaack! :D
I could tell C was hard tape, even on my computer speakers. I couldn't tell the difference between DAW and soft though. I'll need to relisten on my good monitors. Very cool experiment.
Yeah I went so exaggerated on it i'm not shocked it translated on computer speakers haha!
Please go full time.
I now want to send every track I make to you to do this. It's delicious.
Sounds beautiful! Magical sound and great performances💖
My new favorite channel
Can you do another video showing how many times you can send the same song through the Revox to achieve the sound of degraded tape? Most songs we love went through 4-6 passes through the tape machine after being sent around from the artist to the mixer and mastered etc.. hence what gave records that sound
Excellent video per usual! Just wanted to mention I had the same issue with my Apollo! Ended up being a failing voltage regulator. Had to get mine repaired, no warranty 😢
Your visual style keeps me xoming bakk to your videos and holds my attention. You next up nfs
I don't even have a daw. Straight to tape and stays there!
she needs to fly dude
This was fun! I really liked A the best. B sounded harsh and a bit shrill. C sounded overcompressed and choked .
I have an Otari 4 track RTR and I refuse to part with it. I love how tape tames the high end in a pleasing way, and tightens up the low end.
Cool video! And me too I've put my own B77 as a custom icon in Logic! 😁
Guys did someone knows where i can find the song in the video? It's beatifulllll
when is this song coming out? absolutely amazing video btw as always!
Where can we find the song? Is it released? It is amazing!
A Master Class every Vvundertone post a video 💯💯💯
Thank you RTM for producing quality tape (tape, period!) in this digital day. I don't engineer and produce any more; but it's nice to think there are still people out there who appreciate TAPE recording. NOW ... if Kodak and Ilford would go back to producing color print and transparency and B&W film again; and if Nikon would make parts to repair their many built-in light meters ... there would be a whole passel of people whose shouts of glee would be worthy of recording onto reel-to-reel tape! See how I worked all that in there? Pretty clever, what?
One can still get colour neg and transparency film. And black and white. Even polaroids! ( For those gentlemen )
Thank you for this content and channel, keep rocking 🤘
Doing same thing for years with my favorite Revox B77 ❤ (with RTM and Emtec tapes).
Sometimes using Zonal, Agfa and Basf also. Sound profile differs from tape to tape, and some used Maxell or TDK may blow your mind unexpectedly 🤤👌
Some people have doggies printed on shirts, vvundertone has a doggo coming out of one. 😎
Nice, i have everything to sample loops on tape, multitrack the stems and then master on a revox b77 but only only used in when i’m really in the mood for that. Btw flickering stuff on audio interfaces is usually related to a power issue.
Its usually a power issue with everything. Even cars.
I love that natural saturation, so creamy!
Another great video! Do you ever do re-amping with guitars or drums? Would be cool to see tape incorporated into a re-amping digital to analog type video!!
Just getting into that! I'm thinking its going to be become my new obsession honestly
Beautiful!
This song is sooo goood! I would like to listen to the whole thing.
Other thing: CAN I BUY YOUR MUSIC ON TAPE??
As an analog enthusiast, loving your videos a lot ! But I also love the visual part of your videos as well ! Mind sharing how you get those film colors and textures ? Are you using Davinci Resolve to edit your videos ? Love that look a lot, fits perfectly with your analog aesthetics ! Big up from Lithuania !
I just got a teac A 3440. So excited to have pitch control and 15ips. It’s bias for sm911 tape so I’ll be getting some from RTM.
My first machine ever! Miss it dearly. Watching that thing go at 15ips is truly something to marvel at. Sm911 will sing through that beauty, I hope it brings you decades of inspiration.
@@vvundertoneno way that’s awesome! Thanks man! I bought mine fully serviced from a tech so I’m hoping it runs well for many years
next thing would be a adc to add after the tape machine
I vibed with this whole thing, but TBH, I picked B on my first (and blind) pass. I think this production is already so beautifully wavy and saturated in different ways, the song doesn't quite need it. For the record (haha) I have a lot of early experience (83-90ish) with both 2 and multi-track analog tape, so at this point I'm not really digging into those corners. our new spot will have a lovely Tascam 106 with a matched Tascam rack mounted 4 track cassette deck (boxed up right now, forget the model number) that we definitely plan to use. Beautiful song too, what was your role on that?
Killer stuff, always!
the song sounds amazing!
Could be the RUclips sound and my phone but tbh ... I can't really hear a difference between A and B. I enjoyed this thoigh. Love your style.
Hey! My understanding is that A77s can come as 4 tracks or 2 tracks, with the 2 track being higher fidelity because it's using more of the tape per track compared to the 4 track. Just curious which one yours is!
nice video, thank you for sharing!
for final bounces like this you might like ATR master tape even more than LPR-35. I liked LPR-90 more than 35. 90 is cleaner and ATR is cleaner still. you get less added bass if i recall correctly. LPR-35 gives you more saturation and more bass, but I now reach for it when i really want to tape-ify something, whereas for final mixes, I would go straight to the ATR now that I've tried it. SM911 didn't jibe with me/my machine much at all.
my machine is just a teac 4300sx so in effect i'm fairly underbiased for those tapes, but i like how that gives you more saturation in the high end, as well as doing nice stuff to the bass.
SM911 is the same tape formulation as LPR-35, and each machine needs to be adjusted for a specific type of tape. You shouldn't just be swapping types without calibrating your device first.
It's also a somewhat pointless endeavor if your machine doesn't record at least 15 IPS, to fully reap the benefit of the increased headroom / DB that LPR-90 can provide. If clarity and fidelity is your objective, then 15 to 30 IPS is essential. I wouldn't refer to recording at 7.5 IPS as "mastering". Personally I calibrated my machine for 15 IPS LPR-35 because I've found it results in a velvety vintage hifi sound I'm aiming for. IMO tape actually starts to sound quite unpleasant when it's producing too many high frequencies.
My biggest reason for tape mastering is the ability to adjust the speed/pitch very slightly without having any of the limitations imposed by discrete mathematics.
Joe Meek, one of my biggest inspirations once said he couldn't think of a single record that would not benefit from a tiny speed adjustment. I fully agree. I wish I had a machine with variable speed. Discrete mathematic limitations is a classy way to say digital pitch manipulation is ass. 🤣
soft tape has a vibe!
Sounds tasty!!
when my mentor told me the difference between mixing in the box than using a analog gear blow my mind, its hard to perceive but i think digital close the stereo. idk but the sound is more narrow than using analog. this and mid-side eq is my favourite technics in mix and mastering
where to listen to the full song?
Sadly they never released it.
mr vvundertone can you please do a video on color grading, or how you go about editing if you created a lut bundle ill buy it in heart beat
I appreciate that! Putting something out about my video process in the future for sure. For LUTS I use by Jamie Windsor, and for this video I tried something new. These are by Serr! I sell 35mm grain overlays which I sneak into each video and thumbnail (vvunder-vision) on the site. But LUTS I haven't cracked that code yet!
Man how do you get that beautiful vintage video effect?
1: Sony a7s (first generation)
2: Vintage Nikon manual focus lens (35mm f1.8)
3: Promist filter (quarter strength)
4: Intentional lighting
5: LUTS (this video I am trying a new one from youtube creator Serr)
6: vvunder-vision overlays
Will release a video on my visual production process in the future.
@@vvundertone Thank you :D
@7:20 who is this absolute star we have been missing out on???
That is DINKY. My beloved senior advisor. He pops in and out of videos as pleases :)
dude you need to make mixing and mastering courses and we will gladly pay you for them!
That is something I am warming up to for sure. Thank you for the reminder!
@@vvundertone please do so! the mix was beautiful even before the tape and we need to know how you do your magic
I preferred the Soft the most, digital second, hard the least
Awesome
I always play play along with these games. I liked the first one and the last one, without knowing the outcome. The second one didn’t have a soul…
C was my favorite.
Interestingly, listening at low volume I liked B better. It felt like it had more "air". Need to listen at proper volume later.
king
Scully 280 here, i mean it is what it is, some of us hv better life lol :)
Damn bro you don't mess around. Good machine!
Sorry to be the one to tell you this but your Apollo interface is indeed possessed by *actual* demons. ................................................Cool Track!😈
I prefer A
cool
my mind was saying: A is the best, B sucks (fuck B), C is good but A is a tiny bit better somehow. When I saw B was digital I thought: Oh... do I have to buy a tape machine now?
Haha! I am so glad I decided to do a soft pass last minute. I wish I would of done my conclusions post video editing because by the end I was favoring A too!!
First One 😎
softer is a bit better
Why don't you just do EVERYTHING in analog? All your music should be recorded in Analog. Editing mixing and mastering should be done on the computer but the analog copy should also be released!