Reel To Reel?

[Loose Cannon]

Ive seen the reel to reel recorders or something in all these clips of wu-tang in the studio (a bunch of other places ive seen them too). Do any of you own and/or use one right now?
Also, How do these work? Is it just a BIG tape recorder? I heard something about a needle. Are these used on reel to reels? I also think i heard something about being able to record all the different channels on a seperate channel on the same tape. I dont know though. Im just confusing myself. Somebody Help.

 

[God]

You are either thinking of two types of products:

The budget TEAC Reel-to-Reel:
http://www.proaudiosystems.co.uk/acatalog/All_Products___Tascam___Reel_to_Reel_102.html

Or the ubiquitous Studer Analogue Tape Recorder:
http://www.studer.ch/products13.htm

Usually, when you hear of individuals dumping a digital mix (recorded in ProTools, or some other DAW) onto analogue tape in order to saturate and colour the mix by adding analogue "warmth" to it (that only an analogue recording can provide) this is the bad boy that is usually used, one of the Studer lines. It's highly dependable, and has a good a transport module, as well as capable of some great linear recordings (a large amount of music in the pre-digital age was recorded on Studers.)

Anyway, follow the links, they may be helpful.

Sincerely,
God

 

[The Bastard]

i used real to reel in the beginning of the year in my audio class,the teacher only had 2 projects on it and well never use it again, i wouldnt buy one unless u want it purely for showor experimental ,its cool to use it and get a grasp of how music was editted but if yur tryin to produce music as best as you can stick to the pc or machine

 

[light]

Yes alot of people will dump there tracks to reel to reel to get that feel. another advantage that ive heard of is that you can run it to the tape really "hot" even into the red, which is something that is a huge no no in digital world but can have pleasing effects sometimes when usuing analog gear.

 

[Loose Cannon]

Thanks, that answered my question.
I just thought it was the equal alternative to digital recording.
Guess not.


PEACE