Breaking Down a Mix in the TASCAM Porta Two ministudio / portastudio

[@burtreynolds2969]

Sledge hammer was just a fretless bass through an octaver played with a pick.

[@MadeOnTape]

gah! you’re 💯 right and i was going off bad memory. this will be added to the pile that will be a “corrections” video down the road 😂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKi5dXyheJeBg9k

[@MadeOnTape]

i still can’t believe i said what i said in this video 😂

[@mandelbro1]

Oh this is so fucking awesome, dude. We are all in this together!

[@MadeOnTape]

it can be easy to forget, but it's true!

[@aSpeaker2BlocksAway]

After your support I have to show you the dirtyest track ive ever made. First beat on the tascam: drive.google.com/file/d/1jGmt_SRWPfY_2SKcIIJXIaHzGQFFLI_-/view?usp=sharing

[@MadeOnTape]

this is awesome and groovey and vibey! Thanks for sharing!

[@MadeOnTape]

love the echo on the snare

[@AndyMangele]

I bought the porta two when it first came out (yes, I'm that old 🤣) - and made exzessive use of it for more than a decade. A feature I liked very much was the so called sync-track that enabled you to synchronize your sequencer (which was an Atari back then) to your audio tracks. Funny that you too are using the e-bow, which was one of my first pieces of gear. Nice video, mate! 👍

[@MadeOnTape]

i just recently acquired the TASCAM midi sync box and am looking forward to unlocking some of this soon!

[@aberrant_convolution]

Good stuff there, friend. Subscribed.

[@MadeOnTape]

thank you! very appreciated and hope you enjoy the channel! 🙏

[@neilgrant8652]

Another great video! Some great techniques thanks for sharing. Love this channel

[@MadeOnTape]

thank you so much Neil! happy you’ve joined our little community!

[@Ciudadana_Cero]

Another great episode!

[@MadeOnTape]

thanks Gina!

[@imuzikworkstation3530]

like the sound..miss that..tq for highlighting 4 track tascam

[@MadeOnTape]

thanks for watching! let me know if there’s anything you’d like to see covered on this channel 🙏🤘

[@travisraab]

Yes please.

[@garretttrott]

This was super fun Chris. What’s really interesting is thinking about how bouncing tracks is an ancient art now. Even though I was taught how to service Studer 2in 24 track machines in college , they were never used for anything but tracking in 2005. No bouncing, surely no tape splicing. Even tracking for a Analog sound was rare. It all ended up in protools anyway. It makes you really think how difficult it was to make some of our favorite classic records on 4 and 8 tracks. It’s astonishing.

[@MadeOnTape]

Garrett! this means a lot from you and it’s a great comment. In my limited time i’ve found some fascinating sound qualities come from bouncing and you can plan ahead for them or not. However, overall what i love is that it ensures performance is king. So far no one has seen all the failed attempts during bouncing and trying and retrying. One of these days, i might do a video where i live stream or show that process... cheers as always!

[@henryhuelskamp]

You rock bro

[@MrPaultheguitar]

Great technique there must have a go at the echo on my portastudio realised I have 1176 in my reaper daw I have Logic as well I don’t view any one thing important more than the other watching your videos is very liberating

[@iampuesa]

This is amazing! Thank you for making this video

[@MadeOnTape]

thank you for this comment! makes my day!

[@deniscassiere]

we are all in this together.

[@The-Jim-Miller-Project]

Excellent video man! I watch all of your vids as I've subscribed to your channel. Anyway, I've been using a DAW (Logic pro X) for years now. I find the digital realm to be very hideous at times, especially recording Rock. Plus looking at a computer screen kinda takes away from the art of mixing, IMO. I'm never totally happy with the final DAW mixes I've been doing... I do love the sound of the Tape so, I just ordered the exact same model Tascam you are using in this vid. I have a question. After you've bounced out a final mix from the cassette to HI-FI VCR, Is there still a need to have a mastering engineer master your song before distribution or, do you find the HI-FI VCR to actually create a great final master?

[@MadeOnTape]

hey there! First, thank you so much for the nice compliment. I totally relate to getting uninspired by computer screens as well. Re: VHS for bouncing. Tread with caution! Many VCRs will do things that you won't like to your mix that you have no control over. But if you like what you hear, you're the best judge. Even then, I highly highly recommend getting someone who knows what they are doing to master your music. Or to learn how to master yourself, of course. Bouncing to VHS will not get desired levels for wide distribution. I hope this helps! Of course, please always take any advice with a grain of salt, including mine! Go forth and have fun, most importantly!

[@The-Jim-Miller-Project]

@@MadeOnTape I really appreciate it man! I’m gonna give the HIFI VHS 📼 bounce a try, and see how that sounds. I’m pretty sure it’ll add an enhancement to the recording from what I understand. I was under the impression that the VHS technique was used as final mastering from just reading about it in forums, and what not. I usually send my music to Discmakers for mastering, and they do a good job but, it would be nice to learn that art the way I have with recording and mixing. Again, thank you for your great vids, and info! Peace ✌️

[@projectz975]

the bass and guitar layered almost sound like a B3 organ 👀

[@MadeOnTape]

ahh thank you! i love that sound, guitar copying bass line

[@rodserlingoftwilightzonefame]

I was just wondering about your process / rig the other day when I was listening to this! I'd like to see more videos like this in the future where you go through a whole track. I've never really used internal bouncing before but you make a great case for it here!

[@MadeOnTape]

i was ignorant to the external bouncing technique for like the first 8 months using this thing so i developed a healthy taste for internal bouncing. now i think combining the techniques will help me personally going forward, but we always evolve! thank you for checking it out!

[@sean_lewis2243]

do you think you could do a tutorial on recording with the porta two? I have the manual but I’m more of a visual learner lol

[@MadeOnTape]

hey there! forgive the quality of the vid, but this is one of the first videos i made on the channel…. probably time for a new one but the info is still good! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqqYqZeBZdJ8q8Usi=Q6p3KOVtkuEsVL4U

[@sean_lewis2243]

@ Thanks! I’ve watched that one, though there are some things I’d like to know, ex. getting my levels right so it doesn’t distort, basic setup for recording, just a starters guide. I’d love to make a contribution to the channel if you did!

[@MadeOnTape]

@@sean_lewis2243 ok! Probably time for me to do another!

[@sean_lewis2243]

@ that’d be awesome! love your channel dude, you’re up there with tech moan imo

[@MadeOnTape]

@@sean_lewis2243 that's very nice of you to say! Techmoan is the reason I have that Uher report monitor!

[@1mikeloz]

Great videos! Would love to see more on messing around with this machine as i just got one! my first foray into 4 track recorders! Just wondering how often you clean the tape heads if at all?! :)

[@MadeOnTape]

there’s plenty more content coming! i’ve only cleaned my heads once. As far as i can tell, using quality brand tapes like Maxell and TDK is your best bet. i recommend following @dan_audioarchiving on Instagram for super pro insight or Tetrakan on KZbin for portastudio repair and maintenance happy recording!!! 🤘

[@JosephElsherbini]

This was super helpful, thanks! I have a Porta one that doesn't have effect sends. How do you typically use your effects sends, versus deciding to use effects before the input?

[@MadeOnTape]

Typically like in a big studio setting, I use my effect send for Reverb and maybe delay in the chain as well. That way, when all instruments are tracked, I can choose to give a stereo spread and a little depth to certain elements... As far as effects on the way in, I use the sound that is inspiring to me! I will say I tend to avoid reverb unless it's very very subtle. Overall, I have to be in love with the sound on the way in, coupled with the knowledge that too much reverb can muddy things up quickly with no turning back on tape. Great question! thanks for watching!

[@jamierodriguez6210]

I'm curious. Back in the 80's was the drum machine only assigned to 1 or 2 channels on a console or were there individual channels assigned to each part of the drum machine (ie: 1 for snare, 1 for kick, toms etc)? Just like how we do it today.

[@MadeOnTape]

that's a great question that depends on the machine and song: different machines had different numbers of outputs, but to vaguely answer your question, I'm not aware of a 1980s era machine that could output each individual instrument... but, as always, I'm happy to learn more, in case anyone more knowledgable on this topic is reading!

[@hip-hoprapstorage4440]

Yes. It's depends of the way you want to mix. All I can say is that in lo-fi way it's only one or two channels and for a hifi songs it's more each tracks for each instrumenta

[@andriealinsangao613]

I think on the LinnDrum, each instrument has its own output... If I remember correctly.

[@Mark_Williams300]

Was it me? Good job, man :D

[@MadeOnTape]

I think you chimed in! As always, thank you for your support!

[@DaveZula]

Excellent. 👍

[@MadeOnTape]

🙏🤘 thanks David!

[@sliduyzamnoyu]

Need to route thru model 12 and to the daw for more

[@MadeOnTape]

some day i wanna get the model 16!

[@sliduyzamnoyu]

@@MadeOnTape yea the 16 would be dope too especially for rigging up tons of analog and band or the type recordings

[@chadjohnson-authormusician8072]

One question: For the rhythm tracks, you said you had: Drums Bass Guitar double of the bass Rhythm guitar 1 Rhythm guitar 2 That's 5. Did I miss something? Did you do an internal bounce or something before you sub-mixed to the reel to reel?

[@MadeOnTape]

yes the “bass part” was internally bounced. i like to get the sound on one fader so Musicman and Telecaster on one track

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

Hey friend, I'm loving your vibe. I still record with my Tascam 488mk1. I'm not into digital at all. Kind regards. Paul.

[@MadeOnTape]

That's awesome! I can only find Mark II's online, and have never used one. Ultimately, whatever inspires you to make music is the best route for you! Thank you for watching and sharing your experience!

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

@@MadeOnTape yeah it;s a great recorder. I just got finished recording one of my own songs on my 488mk1. here is the link to the song. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJ25YaWbjMeJmcU

[@MadeOnTape]

thanks for sharing this! dig the country vibe. is that you playing every instrument?

[@spooktasticaparanormal]

@@MadeOnTape No worries my friend. Yes that's all done by myself. I programmed the drums, I played acoustic guitar, electric rythm guitar, electric lead guitar, bass guitar and vocals. kind regards. Paul.

[@aSpeaker2BlocksAway]

Great man! Are channels 5 and six usefull on this machine? I could get a decent porta studio one, you know?

[@MadeOnTape]

you know, at first i wasn’t sure about those, but now i must say i wouldn’t want to be without them! There are so many mixing and tracking tricks you can do with channels 5 and 6…it’s a real game changer compared to 4. this video shows a little, but i’m planning on doing a whole video dedicated to just those channels. of course, any four track is more awesome than no four track! 🤘🙏 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6CuioaOg9Wnbpo

[@aSpeaker2BlocksAway]

@@MadeOnTape Thanks for your response. Thing is, Ialrady have an Porta two, but it has three issues: Power socket with weak connection, Pitchcontrol doesn´t work and the motor makes working noises befor i press play or something... just power on and then there is a drone from the transport area. Peace man

[@MadeOnTape]

@@aSpeaker2BlocksAway oh man I'm sorry to hear that! I'm no expert in repairs, but it sounds like yours has more serious problems that can get expensive to fix. I hope you get your hands on a working one soon! Happy recording!

[@TheBigMac120]

You may have covered this in a previous video, but do you use the built-in dbx noise reduction?

[@MadeOnTape]

hey there! in short, no i don’t. i generally don’t like what it does to drum transients... and i made a video on why after this mix breakdown video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnPKfHeveJdobdU

[@MadeOnTape]

thanks for watching! 🙏

[@TheBigMac120]

Thank you! I tested my porta two for the first time and thought the same thing about the dbx on drums when I tried it

[@chadjohnson-authormusician8072]

Lovin' this video. It's awesome to see the process. For the bass, did you just plug straight into the Tascam?

[@MadeOnTape]

yup bass straight in. nofx

[@chadjohnson-authormusician8072]

Also nice to hear about the writing process. I always enjoy hearing other people's take on that. So when you program the drum beat, do you have any compositional ideas in mind, or do you just start with drums and then let that dictate what you write for it?

[@MadeOnTape]

i’ve done both of those things. my preference is to have a compositional idea, though, first. if i can’t imagine it, then i find myself struggling to make it happen

[@mattwardynski7429]

Why did you bounce the rhythm track from Porta Two to reel to reel and then to cassette deck? Why not just bounce from Porta Two straight to cassette deck? Does reel to reel give it a fuller sound or something?

[@MadeOnTape]

i’m not sure I understand, but i think what you’re asking is contingent upon me owning a stereo cassette deck, which i do not 😂

[@mattwardynski7429]

Oh I see, when you said you went reel to reel to a separate 2-track cassette I thought you were using a separate cassette deck, but you were just recording the stereo reel to reel recording back to two tracks on the Porta Two. Makes sense now

[@MadeOnTape]

i might have caused confusion because i had two use two cassettes because i ran out of tape on the first one 😂

[@mattwardynski7429]

Haha yeah I was wondering why you didn't just record onto the same tape

[@aSpeaker2BlocksAway]

Can I record hot, but listen low to it? is the fader always to tape?

[@MadeOnTape]

the fader is always to tape while recording. i adjust my monitoring level with the phones knob. obviously once one track is recorded, you can play with the fader while recording other parts. hope that makes sense!

[@aSpeaker2BlocksAway]

@@MadeOnTape that makes sense to me. Used the line out before and IT was a little harder to get my monitoring right. Love my machine after a few hours. And thank you for guiding me live. Its awesome. Greetings from germany

[@cliffordpearsonjr.9748]

Did you just run the porta 2 at 1 and seven eights speed instead of 3 and seven eighths speed?

[@MadeOnTape]

hey there! The TASCAM Porta Two ministudio doesn’t have an option to run at 3.75ips, so yes, only 1 7/8! If you crank the varispeed all the way that brings the pitch up only about 2 steps, so no where near double speed... good ears!

[@cliffordpearsonjr.9748]

@@MadeOnTape ...you're right. I went and looked at the specs. I was sure thinking it was switchable. Good work my man!

[@ebbtiderecords3767]

📼👍🏻

[@aSpeaker2BlocksAway]

When I bounce, I loose lots of gain... And even the gain staging/monitoring is nit that clear to me.

[@MadeOnTape]

are you referring to internal or external bouncing? here your VU meters are your friend. for many genres of music, peaking into the red is ok and desirable. Also, on the portastudios, your master fader should be around the “grayed out” section between “7-8”… then mix your tracks into that fader. Hope that’s clear! oh and don’t forget to switch your monitoring to the stereo out when doing an external bounce (as opposed to individual tracks.” cheers 🤘

[@aSpeaker2BlocksAway]

@@MadeOnTape Thank you so much, have to get a feeling for the machine. Ha, and maybe a Service.