Making a "Better" recording with a Tascam 388
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Making a "Better" recording with a Tascam 388
As I've been debating what format to record my next album on and have been listening to various formats I maybe could acquire, I'm realizing that I'll likely be using my 388. The difference between it and, say, a 1/2" or 1" machine at 15 ips is only marginally better for what I want to do and doesn't warrant getting into new old gear and tape decks and everything that goes with it.
So as many of you know I recorded this last year: http://www.thecrookedsaws.bandcamp.com (please get a free copy at http://www.crookedsaws.com) using the 388 and 2 mics. The drum mic was a sm57 clone and the guitar was an MXL R144 ribbon.
I want to step it up. Likely 3 mic on the drums, several different amps - still very raw but a 'little' more refined.
Can anyone recommend preamps and comps or work flows they've used that would take it to the next level w/ the 388?
So as many of you know I recorded this last year: http://www.thecrookedsaws.bandcamp.com (please get a free copy at http://www.crookedsaws.com) using the 388 and 2 mics. The drum mic was a sm57 clone and the guitar was an MXL R144 ribbon.
I want to step it up. Likely 3 mic on the drums, several different amps - still very raw but a 'little' more refined.
Can anyone recommend preamps and comps or work flows they've used that would take it to the next level w/ the 388?
- curtiswyant
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It's not that I can't tell the difference or hear a difference. I'm saying that, for the aesthetic I am after and the machines I can get my hands on, the difference isn't enough to justify the investment in that machine. And so I'll just use the 388.curtiswyant wrote:If you can't tell the difference between a 388 and a 1" machine, you won't notice any improvements using a nicer pre with the 388.
Another idea might be to invest in room treatment and better monitors.
For different things to try without spending big cash:
1. Try with noise reduction on (or off). When I first bought my 388 I was all about no NR...but I did another record with it on and it didn't sound bad like some people lead to believe. Its a free tone color, if nothing else.
2. Boost highs going in/cut on the way out, for your own pseudo NR/articulation enhancer. I do this all the time to make sure I get sufficient attack.
3. Trying recording with the machine faster, adjust your calibration if you are really into it, may reduce noise slightly/increase high end detail?
4. Give the machine a nice service, if it hasn't had one already.
5. Use new tape.
6. For outboard pres on mics that need phantom power, I used a cheap Behringer mixer on this song... I believe the drum mic setup was a Neumann TLM103 mono overhead, Audix D6 bass drum, Audix i5 snare drum top, Audix D6 snare drum bottom. I like the drum sound anyway... No NR used.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPyVYPaHbF8
1. Try with noise reduction on (or off). When I first bought my 388 I was all about no NR...but I did another record with it on and it didn't sound bad like some people lead to believe. Its a free tone color, if nothing else.
2. Boost highs going in/cut on the way out, for your own pseudo NR/articulation enhancer. I do this all the time to make sure I get sufficient attack.
3. Trying recording with the machine faster, adjust your calibration if you are really into it, may reduce noise slightly/increase high end detail?
4. Give the machine a nice service, if it hasn't had one already.
5. Use new tape.
6. For outboard pres on mics that need phantom power, I used a cheap Behringer mixer on this song... I believe the drum mic setup was a Neumann TLM103 mono overhead, Audix D6 bass drum, Audix i5 snare drum top, Audix D6 snare drum bottom. I like the drum sound anyway... No NR used.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPyVYPaHbF8
- markjazzbassist
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- fossiltooth
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Understood. But Curtis is right to say that the difference preamps make is generally even smaller than that.jrdamien wrote:It's not that I can't tell the difference or hear a difference. I'm saying that, for the aesthetic I am after and the machines I can get my hands on, the difference isn't enough to justify the investment in that machine. And so I'll just use the 388.curtiswyant wrote:If you can't tell the difference between a 388 and a 1" machine, you won't notice any improvements using a nicer pre with the 388.
Another idea might be to invest in room treatment and better monitors.
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OK. I didn't think that's what he was saying - I thought he meant it as a caveat.fossiltooth wrote:Understood. But Curtis is right to say that the difference preamps make is generally even smaller than that.jrdamien wrote:It's not that I can't tell the difference or hear a difference. I'm saying that, for the aesthetic I am after and the machines I can get my hands on, the difference isn't enough to justify the investment in that machine. And so I'll just use the 388.curtiswyant wrote:If you can't tell the difference between a 388 and a 1" machine, you won't notice any improvements using a nicer pre with the 388.
Another idea might be to invest in room treatment and better monitors.
- markjazzbassist
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i used lpr35 for that because i was scared off by all the "don't buy old tape" people and that was really my first project on the machine. but now i have a bunch of it and really enjoy it. the 388 was made for maxell 35-90 which is +3 tape, it can be calibrated for +6, but i'm anal retentive about just keeping things stock the way they were made for what they were made for. and go figure it sounds good too. granted you'll hear a little more noise and such, but i think it sounds fantastic.jrdamien wrote:Very interesting. What tape did you use for EarthTone, assuming you used the 388?markjazzbassist wrote:doesn't use DBX and use scotch 207 or maxell 35-90 or 35-90b. the +3 tapes will give you more saturation than lpr35 (+6) and with the dbx off will sound fantastic.
plus old tape is cheap, i can get scotch 207 for 15 a roll shipped on ebay, maxell is more expensive since the audiohphiles like it, but they're all sealed, unused NOS.
I have lots of various old tape floating around, some in better shape than others... I guess @ $15/reel the value is almost lost when for $10 more I get a new reel? Just my thoughts...I know $10 saved is $10 earned...but I've had old tapes fall apart on me...markjazzbassist wrote: plus old tape is cheap, i can get scotch 207 for 15 a roll shipped on ebay, maxell is more expensive since the audiohphiles like it, but they're all sealed, unused NOS.
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