Track width...dumb question

[curtiswyant]

Let's say I'm recording drums on a 1/4" 8 track. If I route (4) channels to (2) tracks each, such as:
Bass drum: 1-2
Snare: 3-4
OH L: 5-6
OH R: 7-8

...would this give "better" fidelity, comparable to a 1/2" 8 track? And, I'll throw this out, too, if you record something to all 8 tracks at once, would that equal the fidelity of a 1" 4 track?

[curtiswyant]

...or would this cause extra noise and phase issues?

[dynomike]

I have a feeling you just answered your own question.

[MoreSpaceEcho]

he did. it apparently causes wacky phase issues. there's a thread on this in the archives...i think...it might've been one of the poor lost threads from the last days of the old tomb. but anyway the consensus was Good Idea That Doesn't Actually Work.

[OM15.2]

yeah sonically you get 1 track width of fidelity, (& noise floor & hiss) and then it's replicated. You don't get double the track width and increased fidelity.

sounds awesome though, i would do it even if it doesn't work.

[curtiswyant]

yeah sonically you get 1 track width of fidelity, (& noise floor & hiss) and then it's replicated. You don't get double the track width and increased fidelity.

sounds awesome though, i would do it even if it doesn't work.

yeah...phase issues and increased noise. Sounds like the tapeop credo