MASTER TAPES: Where to find them

[@thechuckster6838]

I find that the alignment of the machines and the tape formulation has everything to do with how the final copy is going to sound. You can have the recording machine aligned perfectly for SM900 and use the same machine aligned for Ampex 456, and those two copies will sound worlds apart. That is something that you cannot change. Each tape formulation has a unique musicality that is different from the next. This is why different artist will use different tape formulations due to the way the tape compresses, its high end smoothness and its low end response. It's not to say that one will have more bass over the other or high end for that matter, it's how that bass and high end is translated. Tom Scholz of Boston loves 3m 250. That was one of the tape formulations that was available when I was aligning analog multitracks in the New York Studios in the late 70's to early 80's. Ampex 456, to my ears, has a much more musical high and mid frequency response. SM900 is an actual high output tape that will accept more level, yet it sounds less musical. SM911 is more like Ampex 456, in that it is a +6 tape and compresses better than SM900. In order for you to compress SM900, you need to push lots of signal onto the tape since it is a +9 tape in the same family as the Ampex GP9. All of the master tape companies that are out in the market selling copies of masters that at the time of the artist recording session was probably done on a +3 or a +6 tape (Ampex 406 and 456 respectively.) These companies are transferring these recordings onto high output tapes that require more signal. When you don't hit analog tape at the required fluxitivity, the recording will sound sterile. Playback equipment is similar in the sense that most high end "home" machines are not designed to handle the high output of a tape in a clean manner. Guaranteed that if you played back a quarter inch 2 track high output master on a Teac 2000M and you setup playback levels correctly, you will still have distortion from the head windings as they are not designed to handle the high output of a "hot" tape. Same goes with Pioneer, some Studers, Technics and other brands. The reason that these companies use high output tape to make master copies is to reduce adding the self noise from the final master that is shipped to your house. They crank the level above noise floor in order to mask some of the noise. I would prefer to deal with a bit of noise/hiss and obtain a nice, fat sounding transfer from their 3rd generation master which are probably made using high output tape as well. Ampex 456 or SM911 @ +6, instead of SM900 or Ampex GP9 @ +9 any day. It will sound more musical.

[@anadialog]

Indeed. My Studer is calibrated (not aligned) for SM900.

[@t8757]

Woohoo! I've been waiting for this to drop

[@vinylcity1599]

19:00, I remember they did "chasing the dragon" direct to disc recording! Glad to see they put it to tape!

[@ddragon8154]

Thanks for clarifying the differences between "Session" and the various types of "Master" tapes! I'd often thought - As no doubt many others did too - That the "Master" was the one recorded in the studio by the artist! :-D In today's world of high-bandwidth media though (Whether digital or analogue) it seems strange they don't offer mini versions/copies of the session tapes for audiophile use. I can think of many albums across a wide range of genres where the "Master" mix has been done pretty badly and I'd like to be able to raise/lower the level of different channels per my own listening preferences! :-)

[@anadialog]

That would be awesome!

[@sstrange96]

There could be a large amount of tracks (channels) depending when the music was recorded. The mixing process became a very creative part of music production since the late 70s/early 80s and different to the days of recording everything to a few tracks on a multitrack session tape. Changing those other than basic volume would be a process in itself and probably not be what the artist intended. Sometimes instead the mix is split into stems (eg drums mixed to a stereo pair, guitar on another, vocals etc) to allow DJs to bring vocals up or down for example

[@chriscreasman]

In your opinion is a recording from a HD digital source just as good as the master production source? Do you lose the R2R sound when doing that? Man I with I had a 15 ips machine.

[@anadialog]

If the original master IS digital and the source is NOT from streaming with the same resolution (bits) and sampling frequency (KHz) then yes. If we are talking analog absolutely not, the signal is changed and has footprints from conversion, filtering, compression and probably a modern (bad) mastering.

[@allen-rp3gm]

Love finding obscure master tapes especially of unknown bands. I have a few on my page.

[@AudioFileZ]

Good info here. Many tapes that one finds on eBay seem to be falsely billed as one would often expect from packaging alone. That isn't to say that there are not second generation masters from which actual LPs were cut, but those are more rare and usually have, as noted, hand-written as well as corporate production info sheets. Even so these could be duplicated making them another generation down. It seems to me that if one wants his favorite music on R2R there's a couple of paths. One would be to set up the best analog front end for vinyl and then painstakingly dub those tracks to the tape. Another would be to buy the HD version of a recording and then use a very good digital to analog converter, again painstakingly dubbing these tracks to tape. To preserve the best of the recording itself the tape should be high quality and the bias and eq on the deck should be set for optimal results. Lastly the ultimate warmth and beauty of the R2R sound will be directly affected by track width, tape speed, and the quality of the electronics of an otherwise solid tape deck. If this sounds like an even greater degree of commitment than establishing a top vinyl playback chain it is. I think that is part of the lure. It gets you involved quite deeply to make a really stellar R2R tape. That said one can enjoy all the fiddling and care every time that tape is cued up for a fair number of years into the future. I first started making dubbed R2R tapes as a 12-year old child. Crudely at first by recording radio shows actually using Radio Shack Shure clone mics placed in front of speaker with quilts over the speakers and microphones. The fun of it hooked me, but I had to progress quickly to rec out jacks and pre-amp level in to the tape recorder. That became the process I used from the early seventies up until about 1981. By then I went through 2 decks, an initial Wollensak and in 1976 an Akai. I had to chunk the Akai in about 1985 as it ceased to function well (probably belts but I actually threw it away). I even Dolby B encoded my tapes with an outboard Teac unit which sat above the Akai. Now, many years later, I'm jumping in again. I bought a crackerjack Pioneer R1020L.

[@anadialog]

Thanks for interesting experience! It's always good ti read about real-life tape experiences.

[@VoyageOne1]

When you hear of digital recordings transferred to tape, it's done purely for creative purposes to impart the analog characteristic in the recording.

[@josephraymond2812]

This information is very informative thank you very much can you also tell me where you can get blank 10 1/2 inch real tapes

[@anadialog]

Thanks! There are several places...just look for "recording the masters" or ATR magnetics. I recommend SM900 or LPR90 from the former.

[@MTVEUROPEDEEPFAKES]

I am looking for music videos that were not released officially. Is there a place to buy them?

[@batman.darthmaul]

What about pre-recorded albums on open reel that they used to sell back in the day, 7.5 ips? How would you compare that to a digital format?

[@anadialog]

I discussed about them in a few videos including my own collection presentation. Check my tape playlist to see the video list: kzbin.info/aero/PLDKsdsTBptr477KwjoZyMlCc8Yvjplijw The sonics of these tapes are extremely good, especially if you have a good machine. IMO more dynamic and engaging than any digital.

[@sc0or]

What about a copyright? Are all those copies on ebay legal? I mean not a boxed set, but a card boxes with handwritten hieroglyphs.. If I buy some, make a copy for myself, and then sell it back on ebay, will this cause some problems?

[@anadialog]

Not sure about that. Personal use and selling are different things...

[@JoePavlik-v6s]

I recently came across a collection of tapes. Not sure what to do with them or how to determine the value.

[@rogerturner1881]

4/ ALBUM MASTERS. Also it would be nice to discuss the UMG fire in LA in 2008 that destroyed masters...is it possible that those destroyed could be copies or something else.

[@georgeprice4212]

I’ve heard that what was destroyed were the original multitrack masters, including unissued session master tapes.

[@rogerturner1881]

@@georgeprice4212 Were any album masters also in the fire. if so the next thing would be the reel2reel to take off the albums

[@georgeprice4212]

@@rogerturner1881 yeah. The entire Chess/Checker catalog, including everything issued on Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf (and where those recent reissues of his “Electric” album are made from, I don’t know), Etta James, Bo Diddley, ect. are all gone, as are all the original Dunhill masters.

[@th3r352]

I have the IPS15 analog transfers of pink floyd albums, and the sound is outstanding. Even better then the 2.0 stereo of the 2011 remasters and other bluray mixes.

[@anadialog]

Me too! Just another level!

[@Andersljungberg]

But they make a real copy without using equalizer or dynamic compression and so on. and maybe even have a different level of different musical instruments

[@Andersljungberg]

To find out if it is the record company that is the culprit .So maybe a private person should make a clean copy to dsd or pcm 24 bit from a master tape

[@Andersljungberg]

What is much easier it could be with optical analog disc such as laser disc. although there is a risk that the record companies would change some sound settings so it still would not sound as good

[@Andersljungberg]

the recording you have probably never intended to play on a cheap stereo

[@baddriddimworkshop]

wow! i wouldnt have imagined there were so many sellers.

[@alanbauder5089]

Very good video and a lot of information. I have several copies of master tapes and looking to buy more. The prices are a little ridiculous for most of them, but every once in a while I find some at a reasonable price. Most of new tapes are IEC eq. How will the playback on NAB machine affect the sound quality?

[@anadialog]

Thanks! Well done! Playing tapes with machines that have a different equalization will slightly distort the sound and you are going to 'lose' some frequencies along the road.Not a good idea but still doable!

[@rogerturner1881]

be on the look out for any Connie Francis tapes as many sessions are missing incl her WSN session 2/10/1957

[@willieshaw335]

Thanks for that, trying to decide whether to buy from some sellers in Italy and your info has helped. Besides the sound a good reel to reel ( e.g. my Tascam BR20T) they look magic, even when just sitting there. However, prices are getting crazier by the day. The comments re your sniffles and camera angle are fair but you are putting great FREE info out there so many thanks from me . Keep up the good work.

[@MisterHuskey]

I have session tapes (3 boxes) for a Rosemary Clooney album from the 70s. Any ideas where I can sell them? I had a studio transfer a copy onto ProTools for me few years ago...lol

[@anadialog]

Cool! EBAY probably the best...

[@BruceTheSillyGoose]

lordy i'd love to find an actual master tape copy of Verve's "Conrad Salinger Orchestra-A lovely afternoon" in stereo! there are many LP2CD copies on the web that have subpar sound quality. i have it on good authority that the master tapes still exist in southern california. i'd also like to know what local recording studios can and will do dubbing of master tapes onto CDR.

[@apw2607]

I like Analogy records also from Italy. Yes I know the analog tape is sourced from the digital mixing console but the quality is superb and the overall package is really nice if you go with the metal reels :-)

[@anadialog]

That is why in the end I inserted them....

[@apw2607]

@@anadialog www.analogyrecords.org/

[@anadialog]

No, I got mixed up...I did not put them due to the digital sourcing but it us good you mentioned them...the important is to be aware...

[@apw2607]

@@anadialog Try the sampler. Its pretty affordable and a nice cross section of their catalog. I bought the sampler and then bought 4 more tapes !

[@sidvicious3129]

You are in your element here, teaching, keep it up and the masters are rediculous. I had a pioneer 707 and I'm looking for another reel to reel, I want a 15ips deck and they are harder to find, but I'm just looking for a great deck at this point. I saw a Teac x10R, which isn't 15ips, but what suggestions would you have for me?

[@anadialog]

Hi there! Well, it obviously depends on your budget and the use you have in mind (playback, recording, what type of tape etc.). I believe that you have already seen the two videos I made on 2 track machines. Just to make sure I will post the two links here below: 2a)kzbin.info/www/bejne/j53caoiYr9hon7s 2b)kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHfQe6GPoq2CmaM

[@ramorabelo]

Hello my friend, thank you for your amazing video. I'm a big fan of American Jazz, and i would like to know what i need to do to initiate my journey on the fantastic world of Master Tapes? Can you tell me what i need to buy first ? I love Frank, Nat, Bing, Russ, Al and lot of the old American Crooners. If i could hear Sinatra, Nat or Bing with this tapes, i felt just like be in heaven. Sorry about my poor English. Thanks again!!!

[@anadialog]

Hi there, well I recommend to start from 2 of my videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j53caoiYr9hon7ssi=vclpEEgRZchNypAd (this is the first of two parts) And also this recent video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4nPc2l8lryUqa8si=7SKoFpBpr9cjpQ_y

[@juanelcubano6713]

A 60 year old lady gave me her dad's stuff hundreds of tapes, 71/2, 3, 2, and old production equipment, Sony mic, mixer, all reel to reel, all the reels are either sound stage and Thoro test, he directly recorded the whole woodstock, I have it. So far I heard Arlo Guthrie, Crosby stills and Nash, Joe cocker, I'm hoping I have Joplin and hendrix.

[@anadialog]

Wow! Seems amazing! Let me know if this hits eBay!

[@shaun9107]

Ho boy , thumbs up already , WOW !!!

[@israelfwm]

Hey, is there a lot of difference between a original reel-to-reel and the original master tape?

[@anadialog]

Do you mean between a copy and the original master tape? If that is your question the answer is not that much. They say that each copy generation loses 1db of dynamic range or less. So if you stay among the 2nd or 3rd generation there is no big loss...that is why copies are also very expensive besides the tape cost.

[@israelfwm]

@@anadialog hey thank you for spending som time to reply here. I apologize you because I'm not expert talking English. So let's go, I was really talking about the audio quality of the first master tape (non commercial studio tapes) in comparision to the commercial reel-to-reel tapes **but the commercial and original by the own label. And I noticed the original masters are bigger than commercial tapes. They are made from the same physycal material? Thank you

[@anadialog]

The prerecorded reels (the commercial ones as you call them) are mainly 4 track with 3 3/4 or 7 1/2 ips speed. In some cases 2 tracks but only classical and jazz music. While the original master tapes are all 2 track and they are at least 15ips. Higher speed means more tape per second and that is why they are so large.

[@israelfwm]

​@@anadialog Nice! I purchased my first one last week. It's a 7 1/2 by Neil Young - Harvest (1971) from Warner Bros. I found here in Brazil. It's really rare I guess..

[@anadialog]

Congrats!

[@1S0E1A9N]

There doesn't seem to be much information out there about session tapes. Could you make a video specifically about them? Such as why they are two inches width compare to master tapes, do they run at 15 ips or 30 ips, and what kind of machine can they be played on etc..

[@anadialog]

Sean, sure, good idea!

[@juancarlosmostvideosdiezro5583]

Another name to buy copy master tapes, Horch House , amazing Juan Carlos

[@mauriciorosas8170]

Hi, two labels from Russia to explore: Zavalinka Records and SmartAudio Recording Lab....

[@raymondtaveras9371]

So if I get like the OTARI mx 5050 lll-2 can that playback record mastered at 30 ips or

[@anadialog]

Unfortunately no, it reaches only 15ips...

[@raymondtaveras9371]

Hi can you play a 30ips copy on any tape deck or do you have to have a tape deck that can play and record at 30 ips thanks

[@anadialog]

Not all tape decks have it, actually it is very rare, as well as 30ips recordings...yes, I do have that speed on my A810 Studer...

[@Andersljungberg]

There may also be master tape As was used to produce pre-recorded cassette tapes

[@Andersljungberg]

The problem is also that the record companies can use different mixes for different releases. . an example is sound technicians say we make the recording so that it will also sound good on a cheap boombox. or cheap stereo. results they make in mixing specifically for it. reel to reel tape was probably never for someone with a cheap stereo that might be why they sound better in many ways. It's different with CDs and cassette tapes. perhaps apart from CDs published from 1985 to 1990. because then CD players were expensive and those who bought CD players had more expensive stereos

[@anadialog]

Indeed!

[@Andersljungberg]

correction even a person with lower income could have a real to real tape. My mother had one before I was born, I was born in 1972

[@littletriggers234]

Traveling in 2019 I met a Croatian with direct access to Yugoton Safety Masters I have bought 4 Agfa reels of Costello and one BASF reel I have lists of available albums !

[@anadialog]

I have a few Yugoton masters (not safety, real production masters). I must admit that they are the worse sounding of my collection.

[@littletriggers234]

@@anadialog kzbin.infofomOu4EDE-U?feature=share I recorded half a dozen short clips and posted to You Tube, I don’t know anything about tapes, other than these Agfa & BASF Safety Masters have disproved all I’ve ever heard about tape and people say Oh you have to have them backed ! These were just unpacked placed on machine and Play button pressed after 40 years on a shelf, again I’m no connoisseur but I thought the sound was pretty good, but I guess like all HiFi buffs if playing Classical music it kinda matters, “Pop” music not so much which is why it’s great live with all mistakes etc, 3 or 4 of the tapes originate from Holland on CBS

[@year20xxgamer]

How is it legal to sell copies of a master tape? Isn't that the same as copying a CD and selling it??

[@anadialog]

Very delicate point but important to clarify! MAKING copies and selling them is actually illegal. Selling a tape that you have, perhaps bought from someone else, is not.

[@klaasj7808]

these are not real master tapes, it sells. so why not put there master in the title on ebay. win win situation.

[@anadialog]

Some are true master tapes and some are true master tape COPIES ...and a lot is...cr@p!

[@klaasj7808]

@@anadialog so these are 16 or 32 channel masters you buy? If not they are stereo or quadrophonic stereo mixes for reproduction on vinyl/cassette/cd whatever. And thats not what we called masters back then. So you can get a Maxell tape 35-180b and put there a SACD on it and you have the best quality you can get. As most other crap tape from back then is terrible.

[@anadialog]

Your confunding session tapes with master tapes. A master tape is infact the master copy, which will produce all the rest, vinyl, cassette, cd etc. These are always 2 track mixes of the multitrack session tapes, except special things like quadraphonic etc.

[@INNOCENTWIZZARDS]

what happened whit the mic are you recording birds :_)))))

[@Songwritersbehindthecurtain]

I wonder who owns jackson 5 Michael jackson session tapes?

[@4130aykut]

Cant wait to watch it :-)))

[@4130aykut]

www.ebay.de/itm/Reel-to-reel-tapes-15-ips-2-track-Herbie-Hancock-Head-hunters/253947875266?hash=item3b20790fc2:g:W44AAOSwE7db0E-L:rk:6:pf:0

[@LaserGryph]

Session tapes are very hard to find. They are locked in the vault by the major record companies to be set on fire at a later date.

[@anadialog]

Indeed we are mainly talking safety copies, master copies and working copies which are very good. You may be lucky with true master tapes and session tapes when small labels shut down.

[@jinxbeast392]

Is it possible to digitalise a master tape to a hi res file, then make a copy of the master tape from the hi res file? sorry if this is a bad question.

[@anadialog]

Sure, why not! But the best way would be to dub the master tape on another 1/4" tape...but you need two machines and that is why I have two...

[@jinxbeast392]

ANA[DIA]LOG Thank you very much for the reply! Thanks for the information , I will look into what your saying :)

[@jianwei9934]

ABC is a Chinese company located in HongKong.

[@gbclab]

Great video, thanks

[@revokdaryl1]

There was a 2 inch Whitney Houston session tape for sale on eBay about a year ago. It went for $500 I believe. It was one of her more obscure B-side tracks I believe. I should have snagged it even though I don't have a 24 track machine to play it back on.

[@justincase4925]

It was probably a copy

[@justincase4925]

Arista would not sell the tape so you know it was a fake copy.

[@revokdaryl1]

Yes, I never thought about that. Unless it was stolen. It recall it was an Ampex 456 Grandmaster tape which was the industry standard at the time. 24 track two inch I believe.

[@starlightgrecording559]

@starlightgrecording559 Anadialog Master Tapes*** Gerard Stroh!!! I Was Impress of the Sound of Your Copy of Miles Davis Kind of Blue!!! It Blow My Mind and it Sounded Better an the one You Had to Pay For!!! Ether Though Your VU Meters Were in the Red Your Studer Reel to Reel Was Still Clean Anadialog*** Is Your Studer open Reel to Reel A Class A Machine on Record and Reproduce on the Electronics*** Your Master Copy Kin of Blue Sounded Awesome!!!!

[@bluesboyguitar]

Could you also do a video on how to re-issue songs or records?

[@anadialog]

Hi, what do you mean exactly?

[@edmund_vinyl]

Smart audio recording lab from Russia not bad too. Price around 200 euro.

[@PassCookie]

dumb question but why are the record companies selling their masters or even their session tapes?

[@anadialog]

That is a very good question....actually the session tapes and the original masters are kept in the vaults...I am mainly referring in the video to master copies and production copies...

[@dannydougin3925]

Um, when I recorded my engineer referred to the original (16 or 24 track in my case) as *the* master tape. Anything else is a mixdown copy. 'Master' usually mean first generation.

[@anadialog]

That is actually incorrect. Those are the raw session tapes, even better, but they need to be mixed and then mastered for a specific medium.

[@abijeetrs6522]

Master vs grandmaster tapes 😂

[@aseomg]

I’m just here to say, what a cool KZbin channel name! But i’ll watch some videos too.

[@anadialog]

Why thank you! Believe it or not you are the first one to say this after 1 year and a half!!

[@rorysuire6177]

Im torn on this. Spend a crazy amount of money on a 2 track player but the reel choices out there are extremely slim. I may just pass on this whole ordeal and stick with my 4 track player.

[@juano402]

Scusa, ma come fai a riprodurre delle copie di sessione che sono multitraccia? Il downmix come lo fai?

[@anadialog]

Salve, io no, ma tanti hanno le macchine per i nastri da 1 o 2 pollici mutitraccia...a quel punto uno mandi il segnale ad un master recorder e fai un nuovo master.

[@CornishMotorcycleDiaries]

Wow! Very interesting video indeed if a little off-putting for the average audio enthusiast due to the high cost. I must say that when you see 'From the Russian Federation' in an Ebay ad that usually means hokey stuff. PS hope the cold goes soon...

[@anadialog]

😂Thank you and sorry about the runny nose....Its my darn dust allergy! :-)

[@starstudio8402]

Is there such things as dvd masters?

[@anadialog]

What do you mean?

[@starstudio8402]

@@anadialog I mean is there such thing as a Master Dvd

[@anadialog]

Not that I know!

[@skularatna8136]

So I’ve been speaking to many R2R enthusiasts on Facebook groups and they say 80% of eBay tapes are fake including those that say copied from master, 1st gen, production etc. hand written box and tape notes means nothing. Seems like it is really hard to know what is genuine

[@anadialog]

True, but there are signs. I can be sure from good quality pics what us original or at least a genuine copy. In fact, it's better to buy from those that declare that the copy for sale is like 3rd or 4th gen.

[@larryvogt3962]

What turntable do you use???

[@anadialog]

The new Technics SL1200G.

[@YPO6]

Are modern "remastered" albums usually sourced from session tapes?

[@anadialog]

It depends. A true remastering process should start from the session tapes and work on those for mixing to create a new master. Sometimes they just use the old master for a reissue or worst, the cd file. In any case, the sad thing is that 99% of all reissues, even those that are truly remixed and remastered are then converted into a digital file :-(

[@sstrange96]

That’s not quite true, going back to the session tapes would require remixing. You’d have to very painstakingly recreate the original mix, or youd end up with a different sound to what the artists originally intended. Unless a different sound is what want. The recent Beatles reissues did this to overcome the compromised sound from the original mixing process (the technology of the day), by going back to the session tapes and carefully recreating the mixes without the compromised sound. Usually youd want to preserve the original mix, so youd go back to the master tape (containing the finished stereo ‘mix’) which contains the best quality source. You’d usually then go through a ‘mastering’ process to fix any artefacts and ensure the sound quality is fit for distribution & playback. Many albums from the vinyl era were ‘remastered’ in later years because the original vinyl mastering had an extra step to get them sounding right on vinyl, but without the limitations of vinyl this was no longer needed. However early CDs were sometimes struck from these vinyl masters, or just not mastered for CD well, so the sound wasnt as good as the original master tapes. However if the album is from a later era when digital mastering & release was the norm, it’s always suspicious when you see ‘remastered’. Why would it need to be remastered if it was originally mastered for digital (CD) playback anyway? So it became a bit of a marketing term to get people to rebuy albums they already had.

[@anadialog]

A true remaster implies remixing

[@sstrange96]

@@anadialog Mastering is a later stage to mixing, a remaster means making a new master (for distribution) from the master tapes, which contain the finished stereo mix. Mixing an album is usually a long creative process decided with the artist, but mastering is relatively straightforward and more about sound quality. Remixing an album is like having to re-edit a whole movie from the original elements, only done if necessary and much more complex to try recreate the original as the artist intended.

[@anadialog]

Yes, you are correct. Well, to be precise you should start from what is know as a premaster. Those should be mastered in...a new master tape. And that process is like mixing, in the sense of combining and applying EQ only that you are dealing with finished songs. My prior answer wasn't that accurate and that is why I say that a TRUE remaster implies mixing, but at a more evolved stage, not the rough session tapes, that is true. In any case, IMO, a true remaster starts from mixing just as Steve Wilson does and in fact he creates a new master starting from remixing. But that is my opinion I guess.

[@gixxerboy555]

Sadly the Universal Fire (Hollywood) in 2008 ..killed more than 170.000 original master-audio-tapes from various artists all over the world....

[@WedgePee]

It’s not completely certain, but losses did occur. They even covered it up for ELEVEN YEARS. And all because of an incompetent maintenance worker fixing a roof. The National Library of Wales suffered a similar fate in 2013, but luckily there was only minor water damage.

[@ColocasiaCorm]

That’s what they get for hoarding in a vault. All your eggs in one vault

[@vinylcity1599]

When I listen to a good quality record, I always envision the master tape running in my head! When I listen to a CD it's different, not that I'm saying its bad because it's not! It's just something about the LP that sounds like a tape! I just love analogue tape, there's nothing like it!

[@anadialog]

George, my heart is singing! You hit the point!

[@venturarodriguezvallejo1567]

Sorry to strongly disagree: vynil (not analog tape) is the WORST sounding format, no matter the cost of the set up, you can find. Now and when it was king. It had that "reign" not for sound, but for cost production. Both Hi-Fi and Stereo started with tape as storage medium, public started to buy pre-recorded music on tape, but music companies found in vynil stamping a far faster system to produce copies to sell, at lower price per unit and a form to reach a larger population, making so higher profits. This is the reverse side of vynil and no all the spooky mythology aroud it. Cassettes (tape again) were able, in his late days to surpass in quality any vynil one can find. Money is the reason of many things.

[@venturarodriguezvallejo1567]

@Focal Point Images Mobile Fidelity gold CDs are far superior to Mobile Fidelity original masters. I have examples of both to compare, and even thoug te same label put the highest care in their LPs, can't avoid the phisical, intrinsic flaws of the medium, wich are numerous and nasty. Their CDs, on the other hand are and soud pristine (not "warm", because good sound has no temperature at all). John Atkinson, from Stereophile, has gone to the foolish assertion that one LP sounds better than the very master tape the vynil has been cutted from ( !!! ). Today's "revival" of vynil is nothing more than snobbery, fashion (many advertising non audio related of today includes the image of a stylus falling gently on a spinning record) and nostalgic passion, in the best assumptions, for something long ago well died and well buried.

[@JohnMorris-ge6hq]

George White's vinyl city Most of the records are not made from the master. Unless you are talking about AF or MFSL. Although it is common place today back in the hey day of vinyl masters were not used to press records unless you were in the country of origin.

[@JohnMorris-ge6hq]

ventura rodríguez vallejo Agree. And a lot of those MFSL records had silly Eq on them..Everyone remember the Beatles on MFSL. Less and less record companies will allow their masters to leave the vaults. Why? Things get damaged or go missing. The quarter inch half track (mono mix) master of Pet Sounds has been missing since 1992. They tried to blame Hoffman for it. I bame to courier who makes min wage and most likely stole it. Anyway most of these new reel to reel releases are from the high definition 24/192 transfers and not from the original analog masters. They even admit it. I work in the business and I can tell you - no masters. The Italian company uses their masters which are copies from English or American labels. Still good to buy. A analog reel to reel 15ips copy made from a 16/48 file will sound better than the CD release. Don't buy into this , "It has to be AAA nonsense."

[@jungacayan7805]

i like Master Tapes that i can removed the Lead Vocals,,so that i can Sing and Jum for it,is it possible my idea?

[@anadialog]

Yes, if it is a multitrack recording (usually a 2" tape).

[@jungacayan7805]

@@anadialog where can we find a Multi track,,,ex.Tom Jones from the late 60's Recordings,i like the Sound of the Orchestra of Tom Jones,,,,,i don't like the Backing Track from KZbin it's a digital and sound Mad to me,,,i like the Original,,,,do you have an idea of where we find for it?,,it's from DECCA Recording i think

[@anadialog]

Woah! Decca has that. Not going to find so easily mutitrack session tapes of famous artists and when you do, you need $$$$ for the purchase!

[@jungacayan7805]

@@anadialog nice

[@adrianredodo]

i saw the web, but at this moment i cant buy (prices and ignorance) one R2R but i saw the Live in Berning BBB and i bought it in Amazon Music. Amazing modern jazz, I recommend to listen for free in a sample or in youtube, Very very good, just saying

[@vinylcity1599]

I think the reels the tape is spooled onto is calls the "flanges"!

[@anadialog]

Yes! That is how we call them in Italy, flange!

[@Andersljungberg]

is it not possible that albums were actually released on reel to reel tape in the 70's and 80's?

[@anadialog]

Not mainstream. In some cases there were audio clubs or things like that were this took place.

[@Andersljungberg]

Unfortunately, there are probably artists that you unfortunately can not get real analog sound from. especially not artists who became popular in the 2000s

[@skularatna8136]

Can the eBay master tapes be trusted ?

[@anadialog]

In some cases...there are red light that need to be looked out for

[@skularatna8136]

@@anadialog what are the signs ?

[@anadialog]

I explained them in the video

[@skularatna8136]

@@anadialog ahh I’ll listen again thanks

[@johnsweda2999]

have you ever checked out tannoy the speaker company in Scotland they're supposed to sell master tapes real to reel

[@anadialog]

Nope but I will! Thanks for your contribution to the list!

[@cucumberforest]

I think it would be nice if you said something as an End Quote in your videos, which softens the pure technology focus. For example: "And remember, the most important thing is: enjoy the music!" I think that would be very sympathic!

[@anadialog]

I think your right! I will do that!

[@cucumberforest]

👍🏼 cool! Have a good start into the New Year!

[@brad7290]

Could.really use opinion and help,on some master I found

[@anadialog]

I can try! Contact me by email (address in the info tab of channel)

[@tthedon2471]

are these 2 tracks or 4? thanks.

[@anadialog]

Master tapes are almost always 2 track 1/4" tape or mono. Session tapes can be of all kind....

[@tthedon2471]

@@anadialog i started with r2r in the early 80s, then i went 100% digital (crazy me). i have the opportunity to get a revox b77 or teac a3340 to venture into master tapes (you only live once), but i'm unsure which one to get, bear in mind that i plan to play 4 tracks tapes too (i will not record though). thanks for your help. oh, one more thing, eq, nabs or iccr?

[@multimediadiploma463]

Amazon and Flipkart sell link

[@mercurialmagictrees]

I've seen some pink floyd master tapes available on ebay.

[@mercurialmagictrees]

most of them were from diffrent countries therefore they were production master copies.

[@anadialog]

Almost all of them are...but still very high quality...if stored properly in the last 40 years...

[@mercurialmagictrees]

ana[dia]log I was close to buying a modest 60s akai reel to reel machine (7inch reel max) but I decided that since I didn't know it's functionality, that it would be a risky purchase. I like to get into this medium but it's tricky. the machine was from a local record shop. he wanted 100 dollars total. which I think was a good price. however there was people all ready interested so I think they should have the first opportunity to purchase. I think a deal was closed on it as well.

[@anadialog]

Even if you intend to explore this out of curiosity, and perhaps sell back it after a while, why not inveat a little more and get a machine capable of dealing wity 10' reels and 15ips speed. So if you do like it, your set for god, if you don't, you will sell it much more quickly!

[@clauscombat418]

I have some 1:1 Transfers or EQed Master Copies (early to mid 80ies) from a recording studio, and came to realize that they are worth nothing but the price of the metal spool...

[@anadialog]

It depends from the artist!

[@victorjohnson7512]

I'll just stick with cassettes (under $10) on my vintage 1980 yamaha K1000 deck.

[@dk2853]

Cassette sounds like shit. These sound better than vinyl records, and on par with CD's almost.

[@slanj2]

Or you could just listen to K2 HD Discs ...cheaper alternative that's for sure and excellent qaulity

[@zebradove1]

Once, You linten to "It" from A820 or Tascam 32 or Teac 35-2T, You can Never Go Back to HD Digital.

[@sumitgenzyme]

Nice...fantastic. help me to find a good tape machine.

[@anadialog]

Hi Sumit, check my two vids on 2 tracks if you already haven't. 2a)kzbin.info/www/bejne/j53caoiYr9hon7s 2b)kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHfQe6GPoq2CmaM It is important to know your budget and intended use (playback, recording, dubbing etc.):

[@JohnMorris-ge6hq]

Sorry, no master tapes are for sale. Masters are kept under lock and key. What is sold is 2 nd generation masters or alternative mixes. And record companies today really keep them hidden away. A lot of them after 1967 will be Dolby A encoded. All you will get is a safety copy or a vinyl production copy. You will know it's real by the slices. But the word "master" refers only to the two or one track mix down from the muti-tracks.

[@anadialog]

Hi John, sorry but I must disagree. True master tapes are rare, yes, but you can find them on eBay pretty often. Bear in mind that a lot of recording labels producing hundreds of records in most cases at a certain point closed. At that point they they destroyed their tapes or they sold them. A lot of minor labels were subcontracted from major labels and that is why you can also find master tapes of very famous artists. Most of the ones on sale are of secondary artists. Also a lot of session tapes are out there for the same reason. Here is just the first example I found on eBay: www.ebay.it/itm/BILLY-PAUL-PRIME-TIME-SO-FAR-SO-GOOD-15ips-SESSION-MASTER-TAPE-T-E-RECORDS/112665455590?hash=item1a3b626be6:g:L5YAAOSwonBaIHVf:rk:30:pf:0

[@dodtoo4473]

Привет любителям магнитной ленты)!

[@voshche]

привет, но здесь говорят о master tape -- это то из чего делали матрицу для производства пластинок

[@venturarodriguezvallejo1567]

All that you say in this remarkable video is absolutely true. As you say, too, the real problem is the insane prices of: a) Machines; and b) Tapes themselves. Time has gone by and this excellent sound system is now a "Sleeping Beauty" waiting for a kiss of many, many dollars to wake up. By the way: IPI Records sound fantastic. Throu High Def Tape Transfers I was able to buy two albums (in hi-res digital) via Internet. They are among the best of the best sounding I have in my music library.

[@rudifleck2911]

5:34 nuketown?

[@Badassvidsz]

Nice video :-)

[@anadialog]

Thanks!! :-)

[@Badassvidsz]

@@anadialog You are much welcome dude i like your channel nice work you do ....and i was looking foward for a video like this one cause i'm interesting in the near future on buying from ebay a used reel to reel deck and we need of course tapes to play and injoy this awesome machine called < reel to reel > Take care and have fun my friend :-)

[@am74343]

2:21 Rudy Van Gelder! (RVG)

[@adissabovic]

4:00 Hehe, Jugoton...😂👍

[@Eddsucks]

legendary!

[@stefanrodic5398]

to brate

[@user-yk4gd1fl4z]

Session tapes? 9/10 Nobody is getting those for any price. If they are around, they are stolen.

[@anadialog]

Hi Tim, no, I diagree. Some times you can find them on eBay. Yes of course they are rare compared to masters and copies but every once and a while you do find them because a lot of recording companies closed over time and sold all their stock...a lot of lucky guys git huge treasures this way...for instance a guy sometime ago was selling a huge lot of Capricorn Records sessions and master tapes. Plus, you can also find a lot of live session tapes that bands were recording practically on their own when they were on tour....

[@robfriedrich2822]

You mean with "fake", someone played a CD onto a 15 ips - quarter inch tape

[@anadialog]

Recorded, yes...

[@watchnerd]

Mark Walderp has an article in which he notes one label that is making tapes from digital mixes www.realhd-audio.com/?p=5613

[@anadialog]

Yes, apparently Analogis Records makes their tapes from digital files. I heard that but as far as I remember nothing has been confirmed or denied 100%...better start off with other labels jush to make sure...

[@darrenjones3784]

How can a copy be a master tape?

[@anadialog]

Simple! You make one or more copies of the first original master tapes. These will be used to MASTER the lp in each different country!

[@danender5555]

So many sellers and each one of then sells ORIGINAL.

[@DuckGuy-1957]

I've been told listening to the master tapes is almost like hearing a recording for the first time. _If true? I want to get my hands on Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side'!_ (thats one reason I envy Joe Biden. He can listen to that LP or CD every day, and it's *ALWAYS* the first time) 🤣

[@around-about-recordsllc4243]

Definitely more clarity, detail, and Sonic’s. Dark Side on 15 IPS is better than any LP or transfer.

[@tommyconancoates7097]

Notice that every tape on eBay had zero bids, no bids at all on all those tapes lol.

[@anadialog]

Hi Tommy, well, it depends...a lot of people wait for the last minute to bid and keep the price down...actualky you should always use ebay this way! ;-)

[@Songwritersbehindthecurtain]

🤯

[@juanelcubano6713]

Need your help brother. I may have found treasure.

[@keithmoriyama5421]

I doubt if ANY master tape you buy is anything close to a 4th generation copy. Original masters are mixed down to 1/2" full track 30ips dolby 'A' encoded. Any copy you may get is never a one to one copy-- usually several machines are dubbing at once-- nothing wrong with that.

[@anadialog]

In most cases true, but when you encounter stellar sonics you know its a 2nd or 3rd. No, most masters on earth are 1/4", which is why Master Recorders have that type of head, 30ips is very rare. In some cases they used that speed for specific instruments and takes. Quite rarely a master. Dolby (fortunately) is rather late stuff, and not everybody used it.

[@keithmoriyama5421]

@@anadialog Most masters are 1/4" 15ips in secondary studios like mine--that's what I use, primarily for cost reasons. But, in world class facilities such as Westlake installations the former is true: it is superior FULL STOP

[@nebuchadnezzar6913]

Boomin

[@skularatna8136]

ABC records in Chinese not Japanese

[@TSC-Detroit]

Get the microphone out of the frame... There is literally a shadow on your face Its very distracting and makes no audible difference from your other videos

[@anadialog]

Jason, I am afraid you are right...at least fir the shadow. Quality is better in my opinion...

[@cornerliston]

In recording a master is the 2 track to where you mix down the multitrack. So a true master tape would be that original 2 track tape : )

[@tiberiu_nicolae]

That's what he said

[@cornerliston]

@@tiberiu_nicolae He said that the multitrack is the master : )

[@anadialog]

Nope, around 1:56 I said that SESSION multitrack tapes, were merged into a 2 track 1/4" master tape!

[@cornerliston]

@@anadialog Then I have to apologize for hearing worse than I thought : )

[@anadialog]

No problem! :-)

[@malcolmemsley5909]

Have you got a cold???

[@anadialog]

Dust allergy! Sorry about that.

[@klaatubob]

The assertion that most people use ccir today because it sounds better is false. It doesn't sound "better". One standard sounds like the other, which standard is used is based on where the machine was made and what market it was intended to be sold in.

[@anadialog]

No, one eq does not sound like the other because they are two different equalizations and cuts. Yes, it actually does sounds better because the IEC or CCIR curve does not cut the low frequencies as NAB does. Here is the article by Jay McKnight, considered a reference in the field and this difference is clear: www.mrltapes.com/equaliz.html

[@thedallastelegraphnewspape4182]

Clean you NOSE! I had to shut it down!

[@anadialog]

I know, sorry about that. I have a strong allergy to dust. As I was explaining to others, I rarely have a chance to do a vid between work and family so when I yave one...I can't let it go!

[@dedskin1]

But if they sell Master Tape they have nothing , they cant , they can sell a copy , and that is not Master , Master is Master , Slave is Slave , if i payed for it , i would not accept such play with words .

[@anadialog]

Hi Pavle, check the other comments. I have explained and illustrated with links how and why you can find true original master tapes...even right now on ebay!

[@dedskin1]

@@anadialog You cant so no need, you probably dont know that those Masters are 10bit or less resolution, judging by the way you talk about em . Classic cossets are 7-8bits , Studio Tape about 10bit not above . You probably wouldn't hold them so high if you knew that

[@dedskin1]

@@anadialog Wait , it says on them COPY, now that is ok , but its still less then 10bits

[@anadialog]

Pavle, I am not understanding what you ate talking about...please be more clear...

[@dedskin1]

@@anadialog Sorry , i write fast and ENG is my 2nd language . Difference between loudest tone on any recording VS the quietest tone possible is known as Dynamic Range , when converted to digital it is Resolution expressed in Bit Depth , amount of Data per Sample , Sound carrier of any kind limits the music with its Dynamic Range for analog , or Resolution for Digital carriers , Resolution, Bit Depth, Dynamic range its all the same thing . CD is 16bit Depth Resolution , that is digital , and converts to about 120 dB of analog dynamic range if all is perfect but its not so that is only theoretically . Analog tape does not have bit depth nor samples but it has Dynamic Range that can be converted in to Bit Depth for comparison reasons up on measuring its Dynamic range , and that end up as less then 12bits , around 10bits and that converts in to 70-80 dB of Analog Dynamics ( without using a calculator ) . Its a technical way of expressing something you've heard lot of times , That CD quality is better then Cassette Tape , Usual brand new Cassette Tape is 8 bits of Resolution , and gets worse by using it , as you know , Studio Tapes are a bit better , say 80dB-90dB at best , and gets worse if used . this is not the only characteristic tho , its just resolution , we have Bandwidth as well , character , and everything else that can be and sometimes is superior on Tape side VS Digital , but if i was to make a collection of these expensive Masters , i would inform my self about these technical details That is wham im saying , it is still a copy and its less then 10bits of resolution , worth knowing for buyer ( on the other hand , what would be Digital resolution of Album that is recorded from Master Tape , would it be 120dB or 16bits , or it would be 10bits like Tape its self , well it would be just like the tape 10 bits , so be aware when shopping for Hi RES HI fidelity audio of high price tag , it can actually end up being worse then Generic CD Recording ) I am not against or for it , and would sure like to listen some tapes , im just saying that there are technical limitations , as well as Marketing Traps , both for CD , HI RES , and TAPE , one needs to know or he will be tricked in to cashing more then something is worth Now i can be wrong about these technical details , if i am , feel free to correct me . Im talking from the top of my head , not reading from a text book, but im quite certain it is the truth .

[@AnalogCave]

nice mic with some random bloke ;/