Messages

1

Events / Re: Tape discussion at Axpona 2016, Friday April 15th, 3:15-4:15

« on: April 14, 2016, 12:35:39 AM »

Chris Mara has a cool operation in Nashville. I have a MCI JH-24 1' 8-Track "Mara Machine", a JH-110 1/2" 4-Track and I'm waiting delivery of a JH-110 1/2" 2-Track mastering machine.

I went to Nashville in 2013 to pick up the first Mara Machine (1/2" 4-Track) and while I was there I attended a Recording Summit at Welcome To 1979. Chris is a very good speaker, teacher, engineer and the '79 recording studio is really something to see if you have a chance.

I hope to go to one of their Tape Camps this fall.

Ray Satcher

2

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: I have 2 Otari MTR 15s I'm trying to sell

« on: July 07, 2013, 01:01:08 PM »

Hey Dan,

I think a for sale section would be great and if you could monetize that section to offset expenses, all the better.

Photos and prices... yeah! I'm all for it.

Ray Satcher

3

General Discussion / Re: Zappa Archives

« on: July 04, 2013, 09:14:08 PM »

You're lucky indeed Steve.

I really wanted to see Hendrix bad and would have found a way if he'd only played in Orlando. Jacksonville and Miami were too far away to talk any available parents to drive us and I couldn't talk my friends into hitchhiking. ha, ha...

Ray Satcher

4

General Discussion / Re: Zappa Archives

« on: July 04, 2013, 12:43:45 PM »

My first real concert was Frank Zappa and the Mothers Of Invention, Orlando Sports Arena, 1968. I was 11. My brother, who was 13, met Ansley Dunbar in the bathroom and introduced him to me. I played drums at that time. Pretty sure it was Roy Estrada on Fender Bass. The stage antics had us laughing our asses off and the top-notch musicianship made for an unforgettable show. Freak Out was the album they were mostly playing off of.

I see Freak Out is being re-released on vinyl. Don't know if the original master tape was used for this... Hope it's not like the Beatles new releases from digital files. I read somewhere some of Zappa's master tapes are in bad shape.

Happy 4th of July!

Ray Satcher

5

Rock With Me Baby / Re: first impressions of TP-017, 'Rock With Me Baby'

« on: September 09, 2011, 09:22:50 AM »

Gimpy Lime, Fish Fry and Houserockin'... :D

6

Tape Project Machines / Re: Tape path mod kit for Technics getting close

« on: March 30, 2011, 11:55:47 AM »

I just picked up a Technics RS 1500 yesterday. Excellent condition, everything works and it sounds pretty darn good as it is. $350.00

Dan, that sounds like a cool way for me, over here on the East Coast, to get my RS 1500 up and running with a Bottlehead preamp.

Ray Satcher

7

Suggestion Box / Chess Records

« on: August 15, 2010, 11:13:33 AM »

I wonder how well those old '50's era Chess Blues tapes are holding up...

I'd love to hear some Willie Dixon upright bass lines with Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, Otis Spann and of course, Muddy Waters. Or better yet, how about some late '40's recordings with Big Crawford on bass, Sunnyland Slim on piano and McKinley Morganfield guitar and vocals.

Most of what I've been listening to lately was released as singles. Does that make it out of reach for reasonable access to The Tape Project?

8

Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Tascam BR-20, just purchased a pair

« on: June 20, 2010, 10:49:17 AM »

Hey Andy,

I have a modified Tascam BR-20. Check out United Home Audio and see what they're doing with these decks. Mine is a Phase 1 deck and the Tape Project tapes sound awesome on it. I also make best-of tapes from my vinyl collection.

I'd love to hear more about your stock decks and your collection of tapes. I'm not very familiar with classical, but I love late '50's Jazz, Bossa Nova, Blues, Classic Rock, etc. I bet that Perez Prado tape sounds great.

Ray Satcher

9

General Discussion / Re: A Couple of Questions

« on: May 13, 2010, 09:19:11 AM »

Hi Rocco,

I bought a Phase 1 United Home Audio modded Tascam BR-20 a while back and love it. I was looking for a deck that would work right out of the box and have somebody to back it up if something went wrong. Also started out with a partial subscription (7/10) of series 1 of the Tape Project Tapes. I have the titles for series 2 picked out and I'm saving up my money.

I'm relatively new to high end audio and I don't have any other high end systems to listen to around here. I can't really give qualified advice, but I can say that the Tascam with the Tape Project Tapes takes me to another level.

Greg Beron (I hope I spelled that right) at United Home Audio really helped me out and answered all my dumb questions. Ha, ha... Thanks Greg! He's a member here.

My system starting from the speakers; Martin Logan "Spire" speakers, Ayre V-5xe amp, Cary SLP 98-P w/NOS tubes preamp.

I'd be happy to answer any questions as best as I can.

Ray Satcher

10

General Discussion / Re: Suggestions where to look for reel to reel machines for sale (besides ebay)?

« on: December 30, 2009, 09:00:16 AM »

Hi Science,

Check out United Home Audio. I just got one of their Phase 1 Tascam BR-20 decks and I love it!

Also have 4 Tape Projects Tapes on the truck, "Out For Delivery" as I type, whohooo!

Thank you Eileen and Happy New Year to All...

Ray

11

General Discussion / Re: Tape Project presentation at United Home Audio, Annapolis Junction, MD 12/05/09

« on: December 08, 2009, 09:17:33 PM »

I saw photos on the United Home Audio site. Looks like they were running their "Phase 6" UHA-HQ R2R through an MBL system.

I wonder if there are going to be any more seminars like this...

Ray

12

Prerecorded Tapes / Re: "beautiful music"

« on: November 22, 2009, 11:12:37 AM »

Charles,

I was just having a little musical memory flashback. Compilation albums like Capitol Records "Ultra-Lounge" volumes, "The Best Of Martin Denny's Exotica". Kind of background music for happy hour cocktails at the Tiki Bar. I wasn't thinking of the difficulty factor of actually securing the rights and making Tape Project tapes. I would imagine the cost alone... yikes!

"mutually-exclusive quagmire" I'm kinda new here, but that expression alone is well worth the price of admission! That is my taste in music. Everything from Hendrix to Hawkins to Hank Williams.

Ray

13

Prerecorded Tapes / Re: "beautiful music"

« on: November 14, 2009, 01:46:50 AM »

There's a venue of music I've been getting into; Space Age Pop. I was born in '57 and grew up around the whole Space Race here in Cocoa Beach. Late 50's early 60's Lounge Music, Tiki Bar Music. Les Baxter, Martin Denny, Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 (love "Mais Que Nada" "One Note Samba" "O Pato" etc.) The Brasilian Bossa Nova, Mancini (Spy Jazz) Herb Alpert, the whole "Exotica" concept. Peggy Lee "Black Coffee" Rat Pack, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader. The Pre-Castro Cuban music scene... Astronauts tearin' a$$ around Cocoa Beach in their new Vettes. I Dream of Jeanie (filmed in L.A.).

Ray Satcher

14

General Discussion / Re: Tape Project based Open House

« on: September 25, 2009, 10:44:35 PM »

Cool site cam.

Awesome gear, great photography...

Thanks,
Satch

15

General Discussion / Re: 600 Tape Project forum members!

« on: August 28, 2009, 10:15:54 AM »

Thanks for having me as a member... I'm up to my a$$ in alligators right now, but soon I hope to have things sorted out and then I can shop for a good R2R (I really like the J-Corders).  I want to record my vinyl on to R2R. I'm really looking forward to playing a collection of Tape Project Tapes on my stereo system. (Martin Logan "Spire" speakers, Ayre V-5xe amp, Cary SLP 98-P tube preamp with NOS tubes, etc). Especially looking forward to "Waltz For Debby"! I've been playing the vinyl and hear something new every time. Being an upright bass player, I can't help being blown away by Scott LaFaro. Ha, ha...

Satch