As noted in another thread the small independent record label I am affiliated with is anticipating the recording of an entirely analog album to be released (via reel to reel - among other formats) in the not too distant future. It was suggested a new thread documenting the process be created.
As I mentioned, being a small organization (and admittedly new to analog recording), at this point we will be utilizing relatively pedestrian analog equipment (though pairing it with professional quality studio preamps and microphones stolen from our digital studio) but promise to deliver as compelling and musical a performance as we are capable of producing.
We started the project with the exciting and somewhat daunting task of acquiring actual analog equipment. To begin, we have procured an Otari MX5050 8-track, to utilize for multitrack recording. As the pinch roller rubber had long since disintegrated, the roller has been sent (today, in fact) to Terry in Michigan for a re-construction. We realize it isn't going to sound like 2" tape, but given our limitations, we felt this was a reasonable solution for multitrack recording. We hope to maximize any good qualities possible from the 1/2" format. I should add that the machine came with a Telcom c4 noise reduction unit. Please note in the attached picture, the 3M tape formulation is not what we will be utilizing - the reels came with the deck, and are just on for show, at this point.
Up next, likely building some custom cabling to comply with the unique XLR pin configuration. More to come.