Originally posted by studio_direct:
hi all,
so many questions so little time.......

Im curious as to how good analog tape can sound.
Uhhh... Anywhere from awe-inspiring to piss poor

i am currently on the look out for a analouge 16 track or 24 track for my studio.

Good timing. You can find them going relatively cheaply. However, you should be prepared to do a fair amount of mechanical maintenance.

can you guyz suggest some reliable brands ,low noise etc & things a analog novice like my self should look out for when purchasing a second hand tape machine?

High-end: Studer
High-Medium-end: Otari, 3M, MCI, Ampex
Medium-end: Tascam
Low-end: Fostex

whats the difference between 1/2'' & 2" ?

I can't resist: an inch and a half!
Seriously, the more tape you have to capture signal, the higher the signal to noise ratio and the more pronounced the tape saturation effect is. Generally, it adds up to fatness.

how long is a 2500ft reel approx in time/minutes?

Most machines record at either 30 or 15 inches per second. Do the math.

I was very suprised when i checked my favourite producers gear list that he used a "OTARI MTR90III 24-TRACK 2" ANALOG" i was under the impression that analog was dead! & that all big studios producers etc use digital devices /recorders / protools etc... :D wow!

Yeah, the 2 inch 24 track is still a bitchin' way to go. You'll also note a lot of studios track drums and bass on mag tape then dump into Pro-Tools for processing and mixing.

thanx guys .....

You took a dangerous road. It seems to me you don't know much about analog machines.

Search the forums and read as much as you can about the subject, there's tons of info and tons of nonsence.

A two inch machine can sound wonderful if the machine is in good shape and well aligned.

A bad machine can be a real PITA and will cost you a lot of money.

There's no such a thing as hi end, medium end or low end in two inch tapemachines, they all have their own character and sound.
Fostex didn't make any two inch machine, their best sounding analog machine is the G24S one inch machine which you can say is a hi end machine.

You were under the impression that analog had died? Wrong, it's alive and kicking.
The problem with analog is that it's the most expensive way to record music or anything.

My advice for you is: read and learn as much as possible before you buy anything you will regret.

Best machines are Studer 800 820 or 827, Otari MTR90 MK2 or 3, MCI JH16/24.

Hope this helps.