Well, it just sounds different than digital recording, and in many cases these subtle difference make the music feel better. Although the technical specifications of a good digital recording system appear better on paper than an analog tape system, it seems that some of the quirky characteristics of analog tape mimic how human hearing works and is just more pleasing (at least in some cases) than the most perfect digital system. Yes, analog tape distorts more, adds noise (tape hiss), saturates at high levels (a sort of subtle compression effect), but so do our own ears, so perhaps analog tape just sounds more “natural" to us; many people find it a very warm, rich and subliminally “friendly" sound.
Recording 24 discrete analog tracks spread vertically across 2" wide tape has been the standard in studios since the early 80s, but many producers are taking it back another decade in technology and tracking to just 16 tracks spread across the same 2" tape width. The result? - every audio track has 50% more magnetic “real estate" and sounds come back with less distortion, more bottom end punch, less tape hiss, just more “oomph!" Pro studios have great sounding 2" machines with both sets of headstacks available, so you can record 2" 24-track or 2" 16-track, whichever best fits your particular music and project.
When it comes time to mix your tunes from multitrack down to a stereo master, its hard to beat a 2-track master tape recording with extra wide tracks on a 1/2" magnetic tape. Even projects recorded in the digital domain with ProTools and other systems are often mixed to this wonderful format to add that final extra analog glow to the finished product.
Ampex ATR-102 1/2" mastering deck represents the pinnacle of analog magnetic recording engineering and design. These rare machines are highly sought after, lovingly rebuilt by the lucky owners, and found in mastering studios all over the world. Fanatic analog addicts have pushed the engineering standards even higher resulting in improvements like the heads designed and built by Flux-Magnetics specifically for this machine. These tape heads dramatically improve the low-frequency response, headroom, and dynamic power of this already amazing tape recorder.
Want the warmth and character of great analog magnetic recording, but lust after the incredibly powerful editing and processing tools available only in the digital world? You can consider using a Hybrid Combination of Analog and Digital.
The Hybrid Option
Use the best of the analog and digital worlds to get the best sound to fit your project with the maximum power of modern digital processing. Track to analog tape, then transfer to Pro Tools for edits, fixes and overdubs. Or track to Pro Tools and then transfer to analog before mixing for that extra analog sheen. Or track to both analog and digital with full synchronization. Mix straight to disk, mix to analog tape... the possibilities are endless, but the goal is always the same: to use the best tools available to make a great recording for every client.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
