Fostex R8 Question

[alexp]

Hey everyone! My name is Alex and this is post number one for me (woo hoo!) Anyways, I have a question regarding the Fostex R8. I was thinking of getting one to track drums onto before I go into Cubase, as I can get a bit of tape ****th and saturation. Thats my logic anyways. Will this actually work with 1/4 inch tape, or am I better off trying to find a good used 1 inch machine? I dont want to go 2 inch simply because 300 bucks for 15 minutes of tape is a bit scary to say the least! Any help would be amazing!

Thanks tons!!


Alex

edit - any reason why the word w-arm is getting censored????

[brandondrury]

My gut says that if you don't know which tape machine you want, you probably don't need a tape machine.

It seams to be the general consensus that the 99% of the big boys are going digital all the way. There are still some purists who use analog tape from time to time or maybe even exclusively. However, this 1% thinks that analog tape sounds better or likes the way a session flows with tape.

Now with that said, unless you have all the more important stuff in place, the difference between analog tape and digital is probably going to be a pain in the ass and the little else.

Yes, from what I hear, you can get some saturation with tape that you can't get with digital. However, there are a thousand other issues that come to play first. If your drums aren't GREAT sounding in digital, I wouldn't bother with analog. That's my opinion.

Brandon

[alexp]

Hey thanks for the feedback. The thing with me is that my drums are amazing in digital! I'm going through a TAC scorpion, as well as some api pre's right into an echo gina soundcard. They sound great! However, I trained on 2 inch machines and as much as I love my digital stuff, Its lacking. It sounds dead. I know 2 inch tape like the back of my hand and I know that 2 inch gives sounds, especially high spl stuff. I dont know how much experience you have with tape, but I'm sure you know you can push it pretty far and still get an incredible sound out of it. You dont get the nasty digital clip. I feel I can record much more freely to tape. Having said that, my digital setup is pretty rockin as well. I love the Gina soundcard, it has a fairly neutral sound, but every synth and sampler in my studio goes through an analogue stage at some point whether its a pre or through a synth. Hence why I want to go to tape. I am a bit of an analogue fiend :P. Definitely consider me a purist.

Alex

ps thanks again, I love forums like this for just this reason.

[brandondrury]

Okay, cool.

Generally speaking, I get questions about analog tape from people who haven't mastered the basics yet. So I had to give the disclaimer.

I've never used an analog tape machine, so I really can't help you with your question, unfortunately.

Either way, welcome to the forum.
Brandon

[Lower Level Studio]

I know it's been a while since you posted your question, however I use the R8 to track my kit in the studio. I like being able to asign each channel to each tom, snare, kick, and overheads. The nice thing is the compression you get. I found putting te kick and snare at opposite ends opposite ends of the tape help eliminate any "bleeding" you might get from the intense signal. I have had really good success in the recordings I have done in my studio for multiple bands and music styles I have recorded. Granted, there are better units out there, but the R8 is great for the money in my opinion.- PG