Muff's Modules & More

consumed · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:25 pm Post subject: reel to reel?

im just getting started looking around at reel to reel machines.

im not looking to multitrack (necessarily), but am definitely interested in a r2r machine that has variable pitch control from the front panel, which i suppose would exclude any belt-driven machines. sound on sound would be cool too. has anyone been down this road? i just need some makes/models to get started researching about. thanks!

felix · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:56 pm Post subject:

Tascam 34/38. Do it.

Also, if you want to be totally bad ass, get a 388. It's an 8 track 1/4" reel built into an 8 channel tascam mixer.

I wish I have never sold mine.

Kent · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject: Revox C-series

I own a Revox C278 which is an 8-track 1/2" machine. It is built entirely of Studer parts and kicks posterior. Be on the look out for the C270, C274 or C278. Unfortunately for you, they are also some of the most expensive units on the used market due to their build quality and Willi Studer heritage.

Also, are you looking for 'dirt' or 'clean w/squishiness' ?

consumed · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:44 pm Post subject:

im probably looking for dirt.

Chuck E. Jesus · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:46 pm Post subject:

the best tape deck i've used is an Otari 1/4" 2 track (half track, 1 direction)..it had 3 speeds and varispeed, a little patching thru a board made it the best tape echo (with ping pong) money can buy...i have an Ampex deck in storage, need to check it out some day....

thermionicjunky · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:14 pm Post subject:

Or for really weird, dirty sound, look for an old Tempophon. It had a rotating 4 head assembly that could perform independent variations in pitch and duration. You could increase the relative speed without altering the transport speed. You could raise pitch without shortening duration. You could increase duration without lowering pitch. You could not shorten duration without pitch shift, or lower pitch without increased duration. In some applications, it was the ancestor of granular synthesis.

Cat-A-Tonic · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:48 pm Post subject: Reel to Reel

Nagra makes some really fine Reels.

Check out Skozey Fetisch.
He uses a reel to reel hands on like a turntable with scratching so forth.
I think he used an Akai... not sure.

Chuck E. Jesus · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:09 pm Post subject: Re: Reel to Reel

J.w.M. · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:38 pm Post subject:

What's "sound on sound?" I only know the term from the magazine's name (and can't seem to find a good definition on Google, due to the abundance of magazine-related hits). help

Cat-A-Tonic · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:48 pm Post subject: Sound on Sound

"Sound on Sound" is when you record something in a loop and then you overdub something else on the same loop with the original sound still there. The more overdubs you do on the same loop the more the previous sounds will degrade.

I use an EH 16 second delay reissue for this sort of thing.
You can record, reverse, than record something else forward...
stretch or squash time and/or pitch.... Its fun. 8)

J.w.M. · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:42 pm Post subject:

Awesome-- thanks Cat-A-Tonic... Sounds like sound-on-sound is pretty much what it's sounds like razz

Kwote · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:58 pm Post subject:

Kent · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 3:47 am Post subject:

"Sound on Sound" is simply the removal of the 'Erase' head from the equation. It is indefinite overdub city.

If you want a good & undervalued Tape Echo, search out the Multivox MX-312. One of my faves and offers two types of "Sound on Sound"

consumed any of the 1/2" and lower Fostex, Tascam & other consumer oriented tape machines should work out for you as well. There is a tube-driven Akai that kicks ass. I can't recall the model number at the moment but that thing cranks.

consumed · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 2:20 pm Post subject:

well, i think i scored today. a local studio was dumping a couple tape machines.
by stupid luck i stumbled on the ad. went and got meself one of these (on a heavy rolling stand) for $90:
an otari mx5050 half track 1/4" stereo recorder.
since i was there i picked up 10 reels of ampex 641 NOS, sealed even.
probably paid a little too much for them though, at $8/reel Dead Banana

felix · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 2:25 pm Post subject:

Nice score! hyper

$8 NOS tapes doesn't sound that bad at all. I was paying $120 for 2" reels 7-8 years ago; and that was with a "bro deal" hookup.

Kent · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 4:41 pm Post subject:

That is an AWESOME score; as long as the heads, motors & other mechanical parts have even 40% life left. I used to service a fleet of those units. They be güt thumbs up

Chuck E. Jesus · Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 5:11 pm Post subject:

consumed · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 2:21 am Post subject:

ok, mine is pretty close but a little different from the pic.
im pretty stoked it has variable speed. and the speed can be adjusted both while recording and playback.
SlayerBadger!

ill have to figure out how to use the sound on sound functionality.
they call it SEL REP. im still trying to grok the functionality of the four heads.

SO!
i did some recording tonight with it. it prints a pretty strong signal to tape.
but it has some funny fluttery noise before the recording starts, in the right channel, which is not bugging me because i like the dirt factor.
so WOW! im driving recordings into tape saturation range. im getting totally new tonalities. my 606 sounds WAY better on tape than anywhere else.
i actually like the kickdrum now
w00t!!

it fits in snug right next to the mixer. things are getting tight in here.

tiny333 · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 3:46 am Post subject:

wow wow

that rocks you got a great machine for £45!!

and paid £4 per tape reel and you think that might be a bit steep!! The MSN Smack!

u jammy bugger Haha!

Chuck E. Jesus · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 7:42 am Post subject: