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The dangerous world of Reel-to-Reel Tape

It feels like I re-entered the world of tape knowing full well of all the downsides, yet I  did it anyway.  I spent much of my youth glued to my dad's decks, making recordings.  As cassette and digital came of age, I always appreciated the sound of tape. 

Whether this adventure is worth it is a subjective exercise.  For folks who plop down $500-$1k on cables or those who swap gear often, tape is really not that expensive, relatively speaking.  Titles are limited though. 

The sound quality and experience is quite something.  Before jumping back into R2R, I had 4 versions of Muddy Waters' Folksinger.  Hearing Chad Kasem's firm's work on it in 15ips it's just something else.  Body, size, and presence are just different than very good vinyl and digital.  And this is with the stock reproduce board from a Revox PR99 MKIII. I can only imagine what's going to happen when I rebuild that card, put in a modern one, or run directly from the head out to a preamp. 

Maybe I'll see some of you in R2R Rehab, where I'll try to get sober from tape. 

128x128jbhiller
oldschool1948's avatar
oldschool1948
488 posts
 

For some folks it offers a different sound signature than either digital or vinyl.  For others, it is an experience unto itself-  perhaps a unique sound, or perhaps a trip down memory lane that can never be recreated any other way.

@knittersspouse +1 - Those were the days!!

mgattmch
556 posts
 

You want proof that R2R tape is becoming fashionable again? Revox are once again offering essentially brand new B77 tape decks for sale! Check it out:

https://thereeltoreelrambler.com/2023/11/22/in-the-market-for-a-mint-condition-revox-deck-how-about-a-b77-mki-or-mkii-refurbed-by-revox-themselves/

thom_oz
5 posts
 

@oldschool1948

I hope you mean that the dbx box preserved the dynamics of those recordings you were capturing. Me, I wouldn't want the original dynamics altered in any way when taping (it audibly "pumps" if you push dynamic restoration more than 5-8%).

I have an Akai open reel that's 7.5 ips only, but I've done some experiments with my 3bx and some old green-box EMI tape. The resulting recordings are slightly airless, but there's still more air there than digital! I must have 20 ways to play a cd or digital file, all with different results, none do "air" well.

As for recording your vinyl today, surely your phono preamp before the BHK has a fixed line-out. You could use a splitter cable at that point, send the signal to the BHK Pre AND the tape deck or dbx box at the same time. Then monitor your recordings thru the BHK in your chosen tape input.

mikelavigne
2,149 posts
 

All I can say is that IMHE, with modern digital recordings, High Res digital is superior to analog R2R.

@mijostyn

please describe your most recent experience supporting that viewpoint. the particulars of the digital source and tape.

it is exactly the opposite for me.

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/ak-hot-rodded-ampex-atr-102s-w-mr-70-preamps-replaces-my-studers.36288/page-6#post-861206

agree that digital is wonderful; however.....the best tape is on another realism level

I am being given an old Nagra portable deck. I expect it will be more of a display item than anything. It is a beautiful thing, precision to the max.

i do agree with you on this. owned a Nagra IV-S and Nagra T; both visual works of art. not the tip top level of tape performance, but still very fine when all is working properly.

ghdprentice
6,439 posts
 

Please allow me to ask a question because of my ignorance. What is the source of music for these reel to reel tape decks. Well, cared for tapes last without deterioration for 10 - 30 years. So, where do you get the music? And if you simply record from your vinyl or CDs… are the taped recordings supposed to sound better?

 

I recently read an article on how VHS is back and stores are opening up… with refurbished decks becoming really popular. What next the 8 track? I am confused. 

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