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Messages - mstcraig

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1
Since I saw no way to reply to the original thread noted above, I will do some followup here. First to Paul Joppa: No, I wasn't speaking to you with regard to the 'curt' comment. I was, instead, speaking of Paul Stubblebine. I agree wholeheartedly with Larry regarding under promise and over deliver to management when dealing with your paying customers. As for Steveidosound saying, "I will be happy to just get my 6 and enjoy what I have unless or until I undergo a massive change for the better financially", when I can finally join you as a subscriber, I will, too, echo those sentiments myself. Finally, to Doc: No one is questioning your group's commitment to this project. My suggestions, as already given, are simply in light of the fact that there are problems with cost going up. As anyone who knows me will tell you, I'm a problem solver. That's what I do. You may not like or agree with the solutions I give, but they are solutions nonetheless. Ultimately, what bothers me the most is my dream of having this kind of quality reproduction in my own home is slipping away from me. Unless something drastic changes, I simply will have to fold my dealt hand, and walk away from the table. That's life, I suppose.

2
Tape Project Albums - general / Re: 2nd series titles
« on: January 12, 2009, 10:21:07 PM »
I thought I might add my perspective to the price increase wars, too. First off, I am not a subscriber as of yet. I'm just a regular working guy who happens to have exceptional hearing, kind of like most everybody else on this board. I do make live recordings to open reel tape, as I'm sure most on this board probably already know. I am a HUGE fan of the reel format. However, I will admit that Paul's rather curt (IMHO) sounding response to the flack over the price increase does beg some questions to be asked. For example, why was this financial issue not addressed long ago, and shared honestly with the subscribers? If the TP guys are losing that much money, why not put in for a modest increase a year or more ago? I'm sure anyone here will agree that a 50% increase is a bit much, especially for something that is clearly a luxury item. Secondly, are there not ways to combat the cost of the final product? Things like less elaborate packaging, more master recorders to make more dubs at one time (going from the present four ATR-100's to six or even eight), switching to RMGI LPR-35 to get 45 minutes per tape instead of 30 minutes per tape with RMGI 468, etc. I'd even go so far as to suggest that the TP copies for customers are done at 2:1 or even 4:1 copy ratio, so more of them can be done faster, with little sacrifice in the final sound quality. Please do not misread my intent here. I echo all the sentiments about the Tape Project succeeding. But, as KenKirk has stated, a line must be drawn somewhere here in the real world. To wit: I have a wife and an adopted son with special needs. I work at a real job, which means I make far less than I believe I should. I am not like Mikel, in either what I do for a living, or in all of the nice toys he has to play with, but I oh so wish I was! Every year I have been married, thirteen at last count, my wife has out-earned me (she is a teacher of Special Education). She already thinks I've lost my mind. Imagine the look on her face when I tell her I have a music subscription that cost me just $3,000! I'll need to then move into my car, or the local sanitarium. All I'm saying is that most people here are just regular folks, with everyday bills to pay. And as much as it pains me to say it, I must reluctantly agree that 45 RPM LP's are looking like a better alternative to have high quality music reproduction in my home. I know how hard the TP guys have worked on this. But, unless cost can come back down to the real world so regular folks can take advantage of this, it will only be a matter of time before the whole thing crashes down. Paul's comments really deflated me Sunday when I read them. I mean here I am, busting my hump to make it in before the February deadline, and I read that?! I guess what I'm trying to say is that the way it came across to me, it was as if Paul was blaming the customers for the Tape Project losing money all this time, and it very much rubbed me the wrong way. I suppose, if I can get my subscription in before the deadline, it will be both my first and last one. I cannot justify this kind of outlay when there are so many other things that need to be paid for, like the house, car, and my son's education. And, I certainly cannot afford to spend my very hard earned money with anyone that displays contempt for me, the consumer, no matter how wonderful their product is. If anyone is offended by my words, I'm sorry. But, please know that they are true in the eyes of both my heart, and gut.

3
General Discussion / Re: CES 2009
« on: December 12, 2008, 11:48:31 AM »
Doc, any idea how much longer the Series One tapes will be available? I am trying desperately to scrape enough together to get a selective subscription, and I want to know how much more time I have to do so. Thanks.

4
Prerecorded Tapes / Re: The McPartlands Live at the Monticello
« on: November 16, 2008, 09:23:23 PM »
Unless I'm mistaken, The Monticello Room was here in Rochester, NY where that recording was done. I've seen Marian McPartland several times over the years, and I agree that she is great. She was kind enough to autograph some of her LP's for me, including a double LP of her group playing at the Hickory House in NYC. Has a good sense of humor, too!

5
Hey Eric, a couple of questions for you. 1) For the Studer A820, what is the unit's bias frequency? It is not stated in the specs provided on your website (that I can see). 2) I will assume finding and refurbishing one of these beasts to better than new with ATAE is very easily a 5 figure proposition, correct? Thanks.

6
How about some pics of this ATR beast, Doc?

7
Reel to Reel Tape Machines / Re: Revox B77 problem
« on: November 03, 2008, 05:12:49 PM »
OK Russ, let's start with the basics. I use my B-77II daily, so I'll have a go at it. Are the heads clean? Did you try another KNOWN good tape? Is the tape threaded correctly? When listening, the input selector should be in the TAPE  position. On the back of the machine, there are screwdriver level adjustments for each channel that control the output. Are these all the way counter clockwise? If so, that's your problem. Make sure they are set at about the 2 or 3 o'clock position when facing them. Might there be an audio card partially out of it's internal socket? To check, pop the case off the machine. Along the bottom are the various audio, bias, preamplifier, etc. cards. Make sure each one is securely seated in it's socket. If the machine has been handled roughly or knocked around, it is not inconceivable for these to become loose. If none of these things gets you any audio, the recorder will likely need professional servicing. Let us know how you make out. Craig

8
I WAS kidding about the exploding part...

9
Assuming nothing explodes (!), I'll try this method for my next recording projects which are planned for December. I'll let you know how I do. Thanks again George, Craig

10
Thanks for your reply George. Just one last question. Can I assume, once the preamp card is removed, I can then plug my line level external microphone preamp signals into the front panel mic inputs, as was previously suggested? If not, what further do I need to do to be able to do this? Craig

11
I sent you a private company email a couple of days ago George, per your previous request. Did you get it? If so, please respond. Craig

12
Welcome George. I make recordings of primarily local jazz music on a ReVox B-77II. If you have tips, tricks or mods for this machine, I'm all ears!! I also wonder if you know if it is possible to have a machine with internal switchable IEC/NAB EQ? This would allow me to play tapes I have already made in NAB, and then to switch to IEC to hear the Tape Project material.  Anyway, looking forward to what you have to offer all us ReVox users. Thanks, Craig

13
According to the Tape Project's own masthead, "for any recording to be used, it MUST be in an analog format". Therefore, Exotic Dances would be sourced from Keith Johnson's master tape, which is played back on the same Focused-Gap machine that made it.

14
General Discussion / The Tape Project and TAS
« on: October 07, 2008, 06:34:48 PM »
Hi all. I had the chance to email Robert Harley of TAS a few days ago to ask some questions. One of these was about TAS reviewing the Tape Project albums and machines. What follows below is the email I sent to him, and his reply to me:


 ----- Original Message -----
    From: [email protected]
    To: [email protected]
    Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2008 10:28 PM
    Subject: some questions, if I may

    Hi Robert. Love the magazine and look forward to each new issue. I have two questions for you. 1) Are there any plans to review any of the Tape Project recordings and/or their modified Technics open reel machines? 2) Whatever became of J.Gordon Holt? He does not appear anywhere on the masthead. Is he still with us? Thanks, Craig




Dear Craig:

We had some communication with the people at The Tape Project about Jonathan Valin getting a Technics SL-1500 and some tapes, but they have not pursued the review.
 
J. Gordon Holt lives in Boulder, Colorado and is active as am amateur recording engineer. He no longer writes for any audio magazine, unfortunately.
 
Thanks for the kind words about the magazine.

Best regards,
 
Robert


Anyone from the Tape Project care to comment on the above? Is this avenue being pursued or not? If not, why? Curious minds want to know, namely, the ones in my own head...
   

15
Waltz for Debby / Re: Waltz for Debby @ Music Lovers, Berkeley
« on: October 02, 2008, 10:12:44 PM »
Thanks for the info Hibernian, appreciate it. Might I ask what the cost of this work was? Craig

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