This video certainly brought back some memories. I had the TR-505 and the Tascam PortaTwo Highspeed!. Back in 1991, this was like having Abbey Road Studios in your home. :) I still have the Tascam and it still works, most of the time. I used method no. 2, by the way. Thank you.
I'm a great fan of your Tascam Porta Two series since it's a trip down memory lane for me. When I first started recording with this machine (somewhere round 1985) I didn't have all the gear you have today - threrefore was limited to guitar, bass and a (not so fancy) drumcomputer by Boss. Your videos give me a certain idea how my recordings might have sounded if I have had your equipment and your knowledge of course (which I didn't have either back then).
Very very fun channel, and thanks for posting your Bandcamp link. If I had to say a sentence of my favs I guess it would go like: Doing this to myself can I justify this habit? What? Upon this machine? But "This habit" seriously nice....and tricking us with no drum machine at first on "what" nice!
I really love these kind of tutorials! I have a multitrack recorder and I've been trying to find unique and creative recording techniques that I could use within these limitations that I have and I find your videos inspiring. I hope to see more! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
I use my two stereo send/returns on my 688 for an Alesis Quadraverb2 and a Nanoverb. Send/Returns are the way to go especially for mixer processing reverbs! I do love that idea of using the overdub channels to eq the reverb however. Pretttttty slick! I just use the program EQ on my Quadraverb2 to clean up the lows, but I may have to try this!
Check out any of the old Alesis boxes, even the tiny micro/nanoverbs would be a big step up and can usually be found for less than 70$! Also old Lexicon boxes can be found for affordable prices and give a more “clean, polished” verb. Personally, I love the old dirty Alesis sound and I think one of those would compliment your sound very well! As always, thank you for the good content! I look forward to it weekly.
The most complex mix routing, pls. And whatever is possible with 5&6 channel, plz. And thank you so much for this very interesting & inspiring video. You sound so good. Cheers!
do u have a video where i can see the whole process of a track from start to finish on the tascam porta two? i wonder what happens after u find the levels of the effects u want, how u "commit" those changes to the specific track.
i have a video on basic tracking, but you're referring to a deeper level. I have a lot of content featuring mix downs and it's really dependent on song to song. I'm certain i'll do another "full process" video in the future as I think my video making skills are better than three years ago.
Is it the easiest to just buy an insert cable & add an old Boss RV-2 to my PortaTwo? I'm looking for a no nonsense way to add reverb to my TR-505. Thanks
if you want to print reverb to the track just use a reverb that has a "mix" or "blend" knob and dial to taste. Otherwise, I usually add reverb during mixdown in the effects loop.
I'm looking to maybe get a porta one sold in my area but I need to know how the hell I'm supposed to be able to run effects to and from it without having any insert jacks. Do I use individual tape outs together with another mixer to blend effects and then run that back into the line inputs of the recorder or how could that be done? Love your inspiring content Thank you in advance! /Johan
hey Johan! Thanks for the kind words. Yes, the porta one is limited for mixing, and I would think of it as a vibe machine... I would use those tape outs and send to various effects, and record that onto a computer or another tape deck. You could run them back into the inputs, only if you're COMMITTED to replacing the original track, which is pretty risky business. Hope this helps, and thanks again!
@@MadeOnTape Thank you so much for the quick answer! I'm all new to tape recording and have been bitten by the tape bug again after I moved on from a broken tascam 414 i bought some years ago. I'm looking at so many beautiful machines and I am so inspired to maybe get back into the game and give tape the second chance it deserves! Thank you so much for that bit of insigt. I'll keep thinking about this and in the meantime enjoy the hell out of your content! You just made yourself a new subscriber! Cheers from Sweden!
Hey Chris! Great Vid! All of your vids are extremely helpful, and great! I have the exact same porta two as you. Question, what is the best way to bounce out separate stems recorded in DAW from DAW(Logic Pro), and run them all through tape, and back to DAW. Would it be separately with the tape recording, and just print the bounced out, and back stem onto another track while tape is recording at the same time? I read that it supposedly still give tape saturation that way but, the wave forms seem to still look very similar as if it had hardly any effect. Most interfaces only have stereo line outs, and not 4 separate ones. Anyway, let me know your thoughts. Thanks man!
I think you replied on today's video? Let me know if you still have questions! An interface with multiple outputs like a Focusrite Scarlett 18i2 would help!
@@MadeOnTape Thanks Chris! Yes! Great vid. I have a Tascam model 12, and it allows for separate multiple outputs but, there’s an add on unit. The Tascam US-16x08 which has a lot of inputs, and outputs so, I’m gonna get one to go with my Model 12. Keep the awesome vids coming man! Have a great day, and weekend.
if you're looking to record an effect directly to tape (as opposed to having it during "mixdown"), you can route the effect back into an open channel. Does this make sense? thanks for listening!
Hello! It would be really REALLY helpful (if you still have the nerve and the proper patience) to show us the most complicated mix ever, with "tape out" and everything. Question: what it does the "Sync" function? Thanks, dude!
hey there Mihai! I'm starting a series where you get to see me mix all kinds of things, and they will definitely approach "the most complicated mix"... I love the tape outs to effect pre-fader signals. The "sync" button. I will definitely make a video on that! You can record a "sync track" on track 4, and this can be used to communicate with drum machines and MPCs. Not totally my area of expertise, but luckily my studio partner is a pro with these things, and I will share the info!
@@MadeOnTape Thanks for replying !! I tagged you on instagram to thank you for helping us finding out about this LOVELY machine and for showing us the art of tape sounding. I want to propose you something, if its manageable - let's have a Tascam/reel to reel youtube gig! what do you say? :D You will have the rhythm section and I can do guitar/synth parts - all analog, of course!
Love your channel! This is some very useful info! But I have a question, maybe you can help me out. I have recently get my TR 505 fixed I have a Tascam M-06st mixer which controls are similar to your portastudio, but the inputs/outputs on the back look a bit different Ok, so I have 6 inputs, 1 cue out and 2 stereo out (plus a bunch of RCA connections for aux in, phono for DJing I guess and gd knows what else) Does your 'effect out jack' works like my 'cue out' jack? And does your 'return L/R' works like my 'stereo L/R outs'? - So far I have only been able to use effects thru Insert channels 5 and 6 Keep doing more content! Is very useful and very inspiring
hey there thanks for the kind words! I have looked at photos of the M-06st but i can’t find the manual online (i can find the M-06 but that’s different)… 1. it looks like yes, the Cue Out is similar to the “Effects Out” on mine, but… 2. I don’t see a return. It looks like that mixer has a lot of “sending” real estate and no returns. Don’t take my word for it tho! keep digging for a manual and the info will be in there. whether you’re recording to DAW or tape, use the cue out to an effect, and take that effect’s output to its own channel on a DAW or tape. but seriously i recommend digging around the internet to find the correct manual! someone’s got to have uploaded it… thanks for watching 🙏 and the question
@@MadeOnTape I re-watched you video like four times and finally figure it out! So, in case anyone has a Tascam M-06st, this information may be useful, here it is how I wired it: - Instrument (mono Out) > Line in Mixer - Effect unit Out > Cue out - Effect unit In > Stereo Out (L or R) - Headphones Out > Speakers/amp/monitor In Cue knob works like the volume of the chanel The fader works like the volume of the fx I find this method very useful when using a looper pedal because if you pan it to the un-used channel, sound wont be affected. [And no, I havent found this mixer manual yet] Thank you for your soon reply and for your help! Please keep doing this great content. Im learning A LOT! - I feel very inspired to find a cheap VHS, sadly, VHS and cassettes, despite being so old, are kinda expensive bc many people still use it this country; anyway, thanks again!
This video certainly brought back some memories. I had the TR-505 and the Tascam PortaTwo Highspeed!.
Back in 1991, this was like having Abbey Road Studios in your home. :) I still have the Tascam and it still works, most of the time.
I used method no. 2, by the way. Thank you.
the highspeed is awesome!
Well done
this is good stuff
Your channel is soooooo good!!!
Thanks, man!
thanks so much for watching and listening!
Ahh the 505…bought mine new back in the day at store called Jewelcor!! Still have it
🙌 it’s a fun quirky machine
This is nuts. You own all my first multitrack toys. Still have them all but I've graduated to Pro Tools 12
i love that we live in a time with both
I'm a great fan of your Tascam Porta Two series since it's a trip down memory lane for me.
When I first started recording with this machine (somewhere round 1985) I didn't have all the gear you have today -
threrefore was limited to guitar, bass and a (not so fancy) drumcomputer by Boss.
Your videos give me a certain idea how my recordings might have sounded if I have had your equipment
and your knowledge of course (which I didn't have either back then).
Crazy useful video man. Thanks for making
thanks for watching!
Thanks! It’s really helpful information.❤
I’d love to see you max this portastudio and all it’s ins and outs!
this comment has my brain 🧠 going on overdrive! that’s a great idea! thanks for watching 🙏
@@MadeOnTapeI dont think my portastudio has insert points unless I missing them
@@pinkaerozeppelin what model of portastudio do you have?
414
424 MK2
488 MK2
I also always wondered what the sub inputs are for
found them on the 488
thanks for sharing this 🙏
thanks for watching and listening!
Great stuff!
thanks again Travis! 🙏
My reverb and delay sends goes to channels for eq, but also so that I can add sends to sends and feedback delays onto themselves 😆
i thought about demonstrating that here too, but i think that craziness deserves its own video! thanks for sharing and watching 🤘
@@MadeOnTape definetly!
Thanks for that idea! Hadn’t thought of it!
Great video! Can't wait to try out the EQ method with my portastudio.
it's a great one! thanks for watching!
Very very fun channel, and thanks for posting your Bandcamp link. If I had to say a sentence of my favs I guess it would go like: Doing this to myself can I justify this habit? What? Upon this machine? But "This habit" seriously nice....and tricking us with no drum machine at first on "what" nice!
ahhhh very very thank you for listening to the music! welcome to the growing community!
I have one of these old 4-tracks but the tape motor never worked. I'm gonna get it fixed! Thanks for the inspiration.
yes! Have fun and happy recording!
I really love these kind of tutorials! I have a multitrack recorder and I've been trying to find unique and creative recording techniques that I could use within these limitations that I have and I find your videos inspiring. I hope to see more! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
that means a lot to hear! i’m just exploring along with you too! lots more coming down the pike. thanks for watching 🙏
I use my two stereo send/returns on my 688 for an Alesis Quadraverb2 and a Nanoverb.
Send/Returns are the way to go especially for mixer processing reverbs!
I do love that idea of using the overdub channels to eq the reverb however. Pretttttty slick!
I just use the program EQ on my Quadraverb2 to clean up the lows, but I may have to try this!
love it! as you saw, i am working with pretty severe limitations. someday i’ll upgrade to a big boy reverb unit. thanks for sharing and watching! 🤘
Check out any of the old Alesis boxes, even the tiny micro/nanoverbs would be a big step up and can usually be found for less than 70$!
Also old Lexicon boxes can be found for affordable prices and give a more “clean, polished” verb.
Personally, I love the old dirty Alesis sound and I think one of those would compliment your sound very well!
As always, thank you for the good content! I look forward to it weekly.
The most complex mix routing, pls. And whatever is possible with 5&6 channel, plz. And thank you so much for this very interesting & inspiring video. You sound so good. Cheers!
thanks again! it’s all on the to-do list now…
do u have a video where i can see the whole process of a track from start to finish on the tascam porta two? i wonder what happens after u find the levels of the effects u want, how u "commit" those changes to the specific track.
i have a video on basic tracking, but you're referring to a deeper level. I have a lot of content featuring mix downs and it's really dependent on song to song. I'm certain i'll do another "full process" video in the future as I think my video making skills are better than three years ago.
Is it the easiest to just buy an insert cable & add an old Boss RV-2 to my PortaTwo? I'm looking for a no nonsense way to add reverb to my TR-505. Thanks
if you want to print reverb to the track just use a reverb that has a "mix" or "blend" knob and dial to taste. Otherwise, I usually add reverb during mixdown in the effects loop.
Wow! Great! What is the compressor in your chain? I have dbx 166 xl, can it get the same effect as yours?
Thanks
I don't recall using a compressor in this video! If anything, just tape compression from the cassette!
I'm looking to maybe get a porta one sold in my area but I need to know how the hell I'm supposed to be able to run effects to and from it without having any insert jacks. Do I use individual tape outs together with another mixer to blend effects and then run that back into the line inputs of the recorder or how could that be done?
Love your inspiring content
Thank you in advance!
/Johan
hey Johan! Thanks for the kind words. Yes, the porta one is limited for mixing, and I would think of it as a vibe machine...
I would use those tape outs and send to various effects, and record that onto a computer or another tape deck. You could run them back into the inputs, only if you're COMMITTED to replacing the original track, which is pretty risky business.
Hope this helps, and thanks again!
@@MadeOnTape Thank you so much for the quick answer! I'm all new to tape recording and have been bitten by the tape bug again after I moved on from a broken tascam 414 i bought some years ago. I'm looking at so many beautiful machines and I am so inspired to maybe get back into the game and give tape the second chance it deserves! Thank you so much for that bit of insigt. I'll keep thinking about this and in the meantime enjoy the hell out of your content! You just made yourself a new subscriber!
Cheers from Sweden!
Hey Chris! Great Vid! All of your vids are extremely helpful, and great! I have the exact same porta two as you. Question, what is the best way to bounce out separate stems recorded in DAW from DAW(Logic Pro), and run them all through tape, and back to DAW. Would it be separately with the tape recording, and just print the bounced out, and back stem onto another track while tape is recording at the same time? I read that it supposedly still give tape saturation that way but, the wave forms seem to still look very similar as if it had hardly any effect. Most interfaces only have stereo line outs, and not 4 separate ones. Anyway, let me know your thoughts. Thanks man!
I think you replied on today's video? Let me know if you still have questions! An interface with multiple outputs like a Focusrite Scarlett 18i2 would help!
@@MadeOnTape Thanks Chris! Yes! Great vid. I have a Tascam model 12, and it allows for separate multiple outputs but, there’s an add on unit. The Tascam US-16x08 which has a lot of inputs, and outputs so, I’m gonna get one to go with my Model 12. Keep the awesome vids coming man! Have a great day, and weekend.
Awesome. Plus I think I realized maybe what drum machine dead milkmen used on you’ll dance to anything……..
i don't know that track!
@@MadeOnTape oh it’s a fun one ya gotta checkit out ! Also uses the sk-1 Casio - the first sampling keyboard ever, hopefully I have this right lol
Is there a way to dictate what channel(s) the effect return records to on the tape?
if you're looking to record an effect directly to tape (as opposed to having it during "mixdown"), you can route the effect back into an open channel. Does this make sense? thanks for listening!
👍
📼🎼🤘
Hello! It would be really REALLY helpful (if you still have the nerve and the proper patience) to show us the most complicated mix ever, with "tape out" and everything. Question: what it does the "Sync" function? Thanks, dude!
hey there Mihai! I'm starting a series where you get to see me mix all kinds of things, and they will definitely approach "the most complicated mix"...
I love the tape outs to effect pre-fader signals.
The "sync" button. I will definitely make a video on that! You can record a "sync track" on track 4, and this can be used to communicate with drum machines and MPCs. Not totally my area of expertise, but luckily my studio partner is a pro with these things, and I will share the info!
@@MadeOnTape Thanks for replying !! I tagged you on instagram to thank you for helping us finding out about this LOVELY machine and for showing us the art of tape sounding.
I want to propose you something, if its manageable - let's have a Tascam/reel to reel youtube gig! what do you say? :D You will have the rhythm section and I can do guitar/synth parts - all analog, of course!
Love your channel!
This is some very useful info! But I have a question, maybe you can help me out.
I have recently get my TR 505 fixed I have a Tascam M-06st mixer which controls are similar to your portastudio, but the inputs/outputs on the back look a bit different
Ok, so I have 6 inputs, 1 cue out and 2 stereo out (plus a bunch of RCA connections for aux in, phono for DJing I guess and gd knows what else)
Does your 'effect out jack' works like my 'cue out' jack?
And does your 'return L/R' works like my 'stereo L/R outs'? - So far I have only been able to use effects thru Insert channels 5 and 6
Keep doing more content! Is very useful and very inspiring
hey there thanks for the kind words! I have looked at photos of the M-06st but i can’t find the manual online (i can find the M-06 but that’s different)…
1. it looks like yes, the Cue Out is similar to the “Effects Out” on mine, but…
2. I don’t see a return. It looks like that mixer has a lot of “sending” real estate and no returns. Don’t take my word for it tho! keep digging for a manual and the info will be in there.
whether you’re recording to DAW or tape, use the cue out to an effect, and take that effect’s output to its own channel on a DAW or tape.
but seriously i recommend digging around the internet to find the correct manual! someone’s got to have uploaded it…
thanks for watching 🙏 and the question
@@MadeOnTape I re-watched you video like four times and finally figure it out!
So, in case anyone has a Tascam M-06st, this information may be useful, here it is how I wired it:
- Instrument (mono Out) > Line in Mixer
- Effect unit Out > Cue out
- Effect unit In > Stereo Out (L or R)
- Headphones Out > Speakers/amp/monitor In
Cue knob works like the volume of the chanel
The fader works like the volume of the fx
I find this method very useful when using a looper pedal because if you pan it to the un-used channel, sound wont be affected.
[And no, I havent found this mixer manual yet]
Thank you for your soon reply and for your help! Please keep doing this great content. Im learning A LOT! - I feel very inspired to find a cheap VHS, sadly, VHS and cassettes, despite being so old, are kinda expensive bc many people still use it this country; anyway, thanks again!
@@spdhc so glad to hear that you sorted it out! and thanks for the info here...i hope you find a cheap VCR at some point!
Please one tutorial midi sync tr-505 🙌🙏
I will try to tackle this one soon! Ran into issues when I tried like 6 months ago but with time and patience comes learning hahahaha
Fun fact. Until 2001 Jif was a brand of cleaning products in the UK
i bet it tasted good
@@MadeOnTape I don't imagine so. But it was lemony fresh
Peanut butter never was my bag of chips. I'd say something more like drum machines and porta studios go together like bagels and cream cheese.
as a transplant to NYC, i would have to agree with you 🥯