I used to do that in the 70s when I had a TEAC 3340 4 track. It was always a challenge trying to get the balance right when "ping-ponging" tracks from track to track, but I loved it.
Agreed. It started playing back and I thought whaaaat!? This sounds like the thing :) It's the music. It's not half of or a good try...it's the music. Nice and clear.
Excellent. In the 90’s I had a Tascam Cassette Porta Studio. It was smaller than the one you use in the video. It was so much fun making my own multi track recordings.
I loved that! You got a good result to all that hard work. Sometimes it's good to see how the sausage is made (😳?). I never knew it took so much technical skill and planning. The artwork is a cool bonus!
My brother and I also have a Tascam 4 track cassette machine. Been making miles and miles of tape recordings for years. Your version of Emitt's best song was perfection. Of the first three lps his debut is my favorite. What a genius he was.
Such fond memories of Emitt"s first album and being able to see you try to recreate an actual track and what it took for both you and Emitt initially to capture the song - simply amazing . . . no simply is not the right word, but amazing certainly fits! Thank you Adam for working through this. My first visit to your site.
Wow! Great job. Working in analog can be really stressful if you're used to a DAW. Just got a Fostex 4-track. Haven't used one of those in 35 years... 😅 Gonna be interesting...
Wow, well done! I have the same machine, my experiments sound lovely to me but I’d like to learn to get recordings to sound better. Do you usually record things in the +3 to +6 zone to eliminate hiss? If so, I think i am too conservative! Great job, thanks for sharing.
Thanks man! As far as hiss, I usually just follow what the manual suggests: "The average record level should be at 0, but occasional peaks up to +6 are acceptable" Other tips to eliminate hiss: * Make sure you're using High Bias Type II tape (as opposed to Type I) * Set the tape speed switch to "HIGH" * Set the Dolby Noise Reduction (DBX NR) switch on the back to "ON"
Adam, just found this video . What a great recording on a 4 track! The mix on TH-cam sounds a little heavy to the left. I think your bass, drums and lead vocal need to be mixed a little more to the right channel as the Telecaster sounds a bit out of balance on the right side, almost like it is the only instrument on the right channel. But overall, great tone. Perhaps the Lovin' Spoonful version of the song was mixed this way, but I think your mix would be perfect if you just balance it a bit more. Offering constructive criticism. not trying to put down your work. The recording sounds great. Good luck. Great job.
Thanks James! You're right, I tried to emulate the funky 60s mixing of the original Spoonful recording (which has things hard panned left and right). Unfortunately I'm a sucker for those quirky old school mixes. Thanks for the listen!
Very nice job!! I've had the same 4 track for years and haven't used it much. Not sure where to get the type 2 high bias 60 minute tapes recommended for it. What did you use.
I’ve mixed the individual tape stems in Logic before but theres something very cohesive/glued together about the stereo mixes that come out of the Tascam. Plus its fun to experiment with different workflows. Thanks for checking out my vid!
I love those analog machines. I had a Tascam back in the 80's . I still use the 6 channel mixer.
Love it!
The drum/guitar combo on the right channels sounds great
Glad you like it! Thanks for listening🥁🎸
I used to do that in the 70s when I had a TEAC 3340 4 track. It was always a challenge trying to get the balance right when "ping-ponging" tracks from track to track, but I loved it.
TEAC 3340S... yes! We had to do what was neccessary.
that sounded great!!
i think it sounds unexpectedly epic. i love your whole approach ! I' m buying one for sure!!
Thank you! You should definitely get one.
Agreed. It started playing back and I thought whaaaat!? This sounds like the thing :) It's the music. It's not half of or a good try...it's the music. Nice and clear.
Excellent. In the 90’s I had a Tascam Cassette Porta Studio. It was smaller than the one you use in the video. It was so much fun making my own multi track recordings.
Very cool!
10 out of 10. Superbly done.
I loved that! You got a good result to all that hard work. Sometimes it's good to see how the sausage is made (😳?). I never knew it took so much technical skill and planning. The artwork is a cool bonus!
Makes any DeadHead smile.
Outstanding!
Thank you! 🙏
great recording
My brother and I also have a Tascam 4 track cassette machine. Been making miles and miles of tape recordings for years. Your version of Emitt's best song was perfection. Of the first three lps his debut is my favorite. What a genius he was.
Emitt's first album is most definitely a masterpiece!
Such fond memories of Emitt"s first album and being able to see you try to recreate an actual track and what it took for both you and Emitt initially to capture the song - simply amazing . . . no simply is not the right word, but amazing certainly fits! Thank you Adam for working through this. My first visit to your site.
Thanks James, that's nice of you to say!
Great job! Love it!!
Thank you!!
Wow! Great job. Working in analog can be really stressful if you're used to a DAW.
Just got a Fostex 4-track. Haven't used one of those in 35 years... 😅 Gonna be interesting...
Yeah, analog is a trip, ha! Happy recording to you :)
Good job, I have the Tascam 688 cassette recorder bought it brand new back in the 80's still works great.
Thank you. The 688 looks extra fun!
Sounds good..like your recording approached..
Thank you! Appreciate you listening :)
REALLY impressive fidelity and takes on the 4 track. I have the same portastudio you make me want to break her out!
Thank you!! You should definitely bust out your portastudio.
I spent a long time trying to pause it on some of your text. Extra fun!
So cool!
Did you use outboard preamps or only the tascam? It sounds so good!
Thanks! The Portastudio doesn’t have phantom power so I used an ART tube pre to power my condenser mic.
Wow, well done! I have the same machine, my experiments sound lovely to me but I’d like to learn to get recordings to sound better. Do you usually record things in the +3 to +6 zone to eliminate hiss? If so, I think i am too conservative!
Great job, thanks for sharing.
Thanks man!
As far as hiss, I usually just follow what the manual suggests:
"The average record level should be at 0, but occasional peaks up to +6 are acceptable"
Other tips to eliminate hiss:
* Make sure you're using High Bias Type II tape (as opposed to Type I)
* Set the tape speed switch to "HIGH"
* Set the Dolby Noise Reduction (DBX NR) switch on the back to "ON"
pretty cool man. who needs protools yeah? it's all how ya drive it.
Ha, maybe cassette recording will make a comeback?
Sounded good to me. 🙂
Appreciate it!
Adam, just found this video . What a great recording on a 4 track! The mix on TH-cam sounds a little heavy to the left. I think your bass, drums and lead vocal need to be mixed a little more to the right channel as the Telecaster sounds a bit out of balance on the right side, almost like it is the only instrument on the right channel. But overall, great tone. Perhaps the Lovin' Spoonful version of the song was mixed this way, but I think your mix would be perfect if you just balance it a bit more. Offering constructive criticism. not trying to put down your work. The recording sounds great. Good luck. Great job.
Thanks James! You're right, I tried to emulate the funky 60s mixing of the original Spoonful recording (which has things hard panned left and right). Unfortunately I'm a sucker for those quirky old school mixes. Thanks for the listen!
Very nice job!! I've had the same 4 track for years and haven't used it much. Not sure where to get the type 2 high bias 60 minute tapes recommended for it. What did you use.
I luckily had a type ii high bias tape laying around from the early 2000's. Looks like some are available online, but kind of pricey!
Just curious... Why didn't you just choose to record multi directly into Logic?
I’ve mixed the individual tape stems in Logic before but theres something very cohesive/glued together about the stereo mixes that come out of the Tascam. Plus its fun to experiment with different workflows. Thanks for checking out my vid!
Fastening. Had no idea how that is done. Thanks
Thanks for watching Gerri Lynn! Hope you’re doing well 🙂