HOW TO MASTER SONGS WITH A 4-TRACK PORTASTUDIO | 424recording.com

This is a mastering technique I've used for years: pumping a digital mix into the Tascam 424 mkiii Portastudio to add tape compression, analog distortion, and warm up digital mixes. Mastering songs with a 4-track Portastudio on cassette always helps glue the mixes together as well and leads to a more pleasing listening experience when done right.
You can download a free before and after of the digital mix and cassette master of a song called "Hideout" on Patreon here: / 50181615
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[@rockymaldonado7758]

This really is the way to go. I run nearly everything I record in Logic through my 424. These machines really do add something special, and it goes way beyond the "lofi" thing. Recording digitally is amazing don't get me wrong, but 9 times out of 10, me or whoever I record will play to a click, which isn't a bad thing - I use a click when I record on the 424 all the time - but pairing an extremely precise metronome with a VERY unforgiving recording software makes everything feel somewhat sterile. But because of all the tiny little variations in speed that occur with tape, sending a track over to a tape machine almost completely erases that cold, stiff "digital" sound. It's like they soften all the edges, and blend everything together in this weird wide open yet claustrophobic kind of way. Who the fuck knows though, to each their own. Great video man.

[@whiteshedrecordings]

I would like to thank Mike’s arm for taking the reins to bring us this sweet vid! 💪

[@YellowJelloMusic]

that arm should get an oscar for this stellar performance

[@gwugluud]

Hi, lol. They really should bring 4-track cassette rigs back into production. I miss them.

[@424Recording]

Same! Unfortunately, the heads are no longer made :(

[@alexhedstrom582]

You can find lots of them made new again on reverb!

[@jaykpjohnson]

This is such a helpful reference, thank you!!

[@424Recording]

I'm glad it was helpful, Jay! Cheers!

[@josephisabeast7]

ooo baby, been waiting for this one. thanks brother!

[@424Recording]

Hope you like it!

[@paulmccartney6386]

I'm really glad I happened across your channel, I learn quite a bit from you , Cheers , Thanks!!!!!

[@424Recording]

Glad to hear it, Paul!

[@ZenMountain]

Very cool song, man. Thank you!

[@FLIRTMACHINE]

saving this for later THANKS

[@nowavecharles]

Good tutorial Mike! Been thinking of getting one of the cheaper Portastudio IIs for this very purpose. We'll see.

[@424Recording]

Go for it, Henry! I thought maybe you already had one! I'm sure you could do something similar with a 2-channel deck as well, but you won't have EQ or the preamps to distort. But it could be a good place to start!

[@helluvakhai]

yes please! thanks mike!

[@The-Jim-Miller-Project]

Hey Mike! Love your vids man! I have a question. When you do the mastering process here into the 424, do you use the DBX built in to the unit or, is it better to keep the DBX off? Again, thanks for your excellent vids, and info!

[@lionel_dg]

This is so good !! Do you remember if you used the EQ when printing to tape and if you used any additional processing when back in the box ? Cheers !

[@424Recording]

Thanks, Lionel. The only thing I used was an adaptive limiter in the DAW. Just to really boost it to an acceptable level. I may have adjusted the reverb a little differently on initial export on the Model 12 as well. Cheers!

[@sham8723]

Is there a way to parallel this and do percentages? I guess the only way would be to line up the tracks perfectly, zoom in, find the same wave, and drag it in phase, assuming the differences aren't so much that you can't find the same wave, and there's no time stretching across the track that would knock it out of phase later.... 🤔

[@ACURAOCULTA]

Very good

[@424Recording]

Thanks

[@littlevibetown]

The digital version is still pretty loud - Are you doing anything to master / make it louder while in Logic? Such a great song - love the cassette master.

[@424Recording]

The only process I have is hit the tape just right and then bounce that into Logic by turning it up as loud as possible without peaking. The only thing I'll sometimes add is an adaptive limiter just to make sure it is not going to clip and maybe some EQ if anything needs a small tweak

[@joesilvaggio9538]

I'm interested in how you connected model 12 to the Tascam. and can this be done with a simple tape machine? I think Lou Barlow does this? Sorry, too many questions. Love your channel!

[@424Recording]

I usually use the main outs but you could also use the sub outs or the headphone out. You can definitely do this with an actual tape machine as well. I bet Lou Barlow has does something similar over the course of his career, yeah! Thanks for watching!

[@simshardin6462]

How are you sending the digital tracks into the tascam? Just the rca in? And rca out to DAW? Thanks

[@nicholascreus]

can anyone help me with this? when recording through the 424 thru an interface into a DAW, if I don't hit record on the tape machine, am I still "recording to tape"? and if I DO hit record on the tape machine, am I recording to tape?

[@luxinterior5]

424 mk III or 464 for opamp distortion with drum machines and synths (or in general)? What is your preference to go in the red between these two?

[@edgarchavez5816]

Hi 424Recording!, I recently played some old tapes I recorded on with my 424. The playback on at least one of the tracks has an audible click here and there through out the recording. The tapes were recorded on a 424 around 2015. Have you experienced this when playing back some of your old tapes from years ago? Any info appreciated!

[@424Recording]

Yeah, this is usually the tape unfortunately. You could try cleaning the heads on the 424, though! Cheers

[@kosmo_komputer]

Hi Mike, When I try to do a Master mixdown from my laptop, I always get a slight buzz coming in through one of the channels. However, when I record directly from synths or instruments into the 424, there doesn't seem to be a problem. Any ideas as to how to fix this?

[@424Recording]

Hey Kosmo I sent you an email on this but in case anyone else has a similar issue here's what I would suggest: this sounds like an electrical issue. Is your laptop plugged in when this is happening? Is the Laptop and 424 plugged in the same outlet? I ran into a similar issue at one point and it was a computer monitor I had plugged into the same outlet causing the noise: once I shut it off, the noise was gone. Also, the fact that you say it is the right channel, what happens when you unplug just the right channel? It could be the cable. I would switch the cables, and see if the noise happens on the left channel. Then you'll know, it's probably the cable.

[@jackcrook4435]

Hey man! Any tips for recording without an audible count-in? Or do you just risk punching in and taping over it?

[@424Recording]

Hi Jack. You could have a count in that doesn't play the last two notes or the last note of the count in. So it'd be like, 1, 2, (silence), (silence) (song starts)

[@jackcrook4435]

@@424Recording Oh! Yah of course! Thanks a lot dude.

[@rain.faded.]

This is how I want to try using it for my electronic setup - I have a mixer with my outboard reverb, and trying to treat the 4-track as just a master tape from the stereo out of said mixer. Added bonus is the compression from the 424 help "technically" master limit the song/record. Is there a way to record the full length of the tape (ie. 60min from a C60)? Record to tracks 1+3, then flip and record to 2+4 (doing this on a MK1)?

[@424Recording]

That sounds like an awesome idea, twnsn. Well, the tape will always be halved and then on high speed halved again. So in one direction C60 will be 15 minutes but if you're using only two tracks, you could get 30 minutes out of it. You'll just have to use tracks 1&2 and 3&4 for A and B respectively

[@rain.faded.]

​@@424Recording Makes sense! Love these videos. Spread the knowledge. Could I get 60 if I used the slowest setting + recording to only side 1+2, and 3+4 (for a Side A/Side B scenario)? Just worried about the Type ii cassette shortage these days...

[@kunaikai]

I have been wondering how to do all of this. I also learned I could burn my tapes

[@gamepad3173]

the same can be applied to the yamaha mt4x (paid up to $700.00 for it to be shipped from Japan all the way to here even though the listing said $309.99).

[@424Recording]

Cool!

[@tazekozak]

I find the output signal to be very weak going back into DAW, even when hitting the tape at a reasonable +3dB. Do you find this as well? And then bring the track volume up once inside the DAW?

[@424Recording]

Yeah. I usually try to hit it on mine at +6. There's always some fussing with it. I usually throw and adaptive limiter in the DAW to bump it up a bit

[@dabudamba]

Nice! I'm courious, which way do you find is the best to digitalize back the master to the computer ? Thanks!!!

[@424Recording]

Check out the bouncing playlist. There's a bunch of methods: kzbin.info/aero/PLxvSYDmM5diqeKJZ7JLdEnSkrI5o16s3y

[@dabudamba]

@@424Recording thanks a lot!!!!!

[@goldensalmon3122]

Where was your version from the model 12 peaking at?

[@424Recording]

Hmmm I'm not sure. I didn't have the metering setup properly at the time that this was done. I want to say I bounced it around -6db

[@Langerr]

Where do you get cassettes? Is there any specs to look out for when buying tape?

[@joaoantoniovione484]

I often got some used at... y'know, uncle's home, 2nd hand bookstores... once got a sealed pack with a street vendor (we call it camelô in Brazil but they actually had a physical store... anyways). I haven't bought in a while, guess you could find many more online. Most common were type I and II (ferric and chrome), the latter often had better treble response. I had ok results with the first on a fostex X14... which was calibrated for chrome tape, as were most portastudios. Type 3 and 4, (FeCr and metal) are less common, afaik the latter being far more abrasive on the heads and long discontinued. But from what I heard type 4 was all the rage. Regarding specs, I'd steer clear of long tapes (past C60) as they are on the thin side. Idk if sticky shed is an issue with cassettes... But if you get mold you can wipe it off with cotton or just by FF and RW all the way through... (just had an AdAt flashback rn... dark period xD)

[@424Recording]

Type ii are the ones these machines are best to use in the 424s. You can find them at thrift stores, once you can recognize the color of the tape. I made a video last year about finding tapes and there are a lot of other helpful tips in the comments: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fX28dZR8orF7g5I Unfortunately, the ones I used to get from National Audio Company are no longer made :(

[@rain.faded.]

@@424Recording Seems NAC have "C256" and "court recording" tapes available. No bueno for home recording? I don't know anything about those type. Probably gonna hit up Dulication.ca since they're in the same city (Montreal baybeee)

[@gamingmusicandjokesandabit1240]

0:40 Mike: Keep the channel faders in the shaded area Also Mike: Has channel faders below the shaded area

[@henrigillet2043]

Not 3 & 4

[@Eightball69]

Are you actually recording the master session to tape, or just running through the Tascam and back out into the DAW?

[@424Recording]

Digital mix recorded to cassette then cassette master recorded back to the DAW

[@Eightball69]

@@424Recording thanks man 👌

[@YoungNino2017]

So how is recording only to tracks 3 and 4 giving you 4 tracks of stereo? Literally not one person online explains how this thing works thoroughly

[@goldensalmon3122]

Dbx on or off? The eternal question...

[@424Recording]

Always off, just hit it hard enough to overcome the noise floor!

[@stupidhandles]

I just got a 424 on eBay. Can you answer a couple of questions Should the pinchroller capstan constantly spin? Meters only work if a channel is on direct or buss, if it's on safe the track monitor levels don't show, is that normal? Not to mention lots of the knobs have crackly/cutting out dust issues, can you recommend the best way to sort that, open up and clean with isopropyl? Hope you can help, I'll be watching your videos to learn how to use this thing, it's a bit more involved than my old basic portastuido 2

[@truthfinder4973]

i know its not tape butt last week at guitar center i got boss micro br 4 track just for a fast ideal mtr. 0mg it s0unds g00d it let you set it at hi-fi that is so adat like that micro pack some meat, so im use it in with my other gear also with my cassette butt rely it can stand alone i just like to collect gear for back ups lol.

[@424Recording]

Nice score! I've never used one of those but you've got me intrigued. Backups are good to have!

[@godofspacetime333]

I like to think that this video was made by recording yourself doing some miming, and then later you did the voiceover and edited clips of the hand waving to that. I like this idea though. I’ve thought about doing this, but haven’t tried it out yet. I think I will for those digital recordings that are a little too sparkly to fit in with the others.

[@424Recording]

You are correct. This video was actually annoying to make. The audio got messed up, so I had to go back and write out what I said and then record it over. I basically recorded the video live with the camera's audio, but it sounded terrible and distorted. So if it doesn't line up exactly right or seem strange that's why haha! Definitely give it a shot, Godof. It definitely helps to mellow out the top end, as the tape as a roll off at 17k. I think it also helps the low end and glues the mix together. I think the distortion also adds a bit of warmth and excitement to the mix. It's perfect for sprucing up the Model 12 mixes. But yeah, if something is a bit too high end heavy, this can help for sure! Let me know how it goes

[@danimal]

I have one of these machines and loved it when I used it back in the day but it’s been just sitting collecting dust and taking up space in my office. If you want it, contact me and I’ll send it to you.

[@424Recording]

Hi Dan, I actually have two of these which is already one more than I can use at any time haha! I appreciate you offering to send it, though. You could sell it easily on eBay or Reverb or locally; they fetch quite a good amount now, even untested. Thanks again for offering!

[@chinmeysway]

Ok so you’re taking digital tracks and record them onto tape and then.. send that back into your daw? Thankyew

[@424Recording]

Yup!

[@chinmeysway]

And then back and forth, forever.............................

[@davidreidy5750]

Dare I say it, I like some hiss in my recording ⚡🤖⚡

[@dannydaniel1234]

Although the pitch change was a little unorthodox, it's a great song and a nice change from the cloned radio crap that makes our ears bleed!

[@tomblaze2]

The cassette master sounded much better for this style of music

[@424Recording]

That's a good point, tom. This may work better for certain types of music over others