Turn Your DAW into a Tape Machine

[@kennyzee3221]

Finally someone who is speaking sense when it comes to digital ‘tape’ recording. As someone who started with analogue tape in the 90s, we couldn’t wait to ditch it for digital tape and then hard disk recording and finally using a computer DAW. No disrespect to you and those who like using analogue consoles and outboard at all. If you got it, use it. But the craziness over analogue tape, and the crazy prices thereof baffles me haha. Anyhow thanks for this video and I look forward to the next one.

[@TwinCreekAudio]

@@kennyzee3221 Absolutely! I prefer the digital workflow for today's projects basically due to tape cost and editing. I like the sound of tape and like you, I started recording on tape and then ADATs etc. I like my tape machines but it's more for nostalgia and sometimes to get a more in the moment type of recording. I mainly use a DAW which can technically sound like either. Thanks for your comment. I hope to have the studio back up and running so I can make new videos before long. I'm moving and the process is taking longer than I expected though.

[@robloyst4514]

I want to make the DAW literally like a multitrack recorder. Like an old 8 track I used to have. I had so much fun. Like not even looking at the monitor. A controller with the same buttons my 8 track used to have. Committing and baking the effects right in.

[@TwinCreekAudio]

I like to use my setups that way too. Sometimes it's a little of both methodologies in my work though.

[@1tabularasa1]

I´m a hybrid-mixing guy myself. Just use the best of both worlds. I like your tutorial style. It`s very straight forward and even a non - audio - person could easyly understand what you`re talking about. Good Job, Sir!

[@TwinCreekAudio]

Thank you! I worked really hard on all these videos. I'm so glad you found them useful. Thanks again! More videos are coming this summer.

[@VitinhooWBatera]

What hardware are you using to feed signal to your consoles’ channels? I am new to the hybrid mixing thing,I got a Mackie 32.8 four or so years ago and I have never used it,it’s just getting dust on my space. I really like it and wanna use it. Thanks in advance 🫡🙏🏼

[@erictorres5935]

Great video . Would love to see the gain staging process from the daw to the console .

[@TwinCreekAudio]

In my case, the audio interfaces are delivering +4 line level to the consoles tape inputs which are also +4. The difference is the console having more headroom than the DAW. I also tested the line levels with a multimeter to make sure the gain staging was accurate in my studio. 1.763 volts should be peak line level at +4 with a 1k tone. Hope that helps some and I'll try to make a video about it when I can. Thanks for the excellent suggestion.

[@albrightfilms994]

Hey Grady, Great video! Question...what audio interface would you recommend for syncing Reaper to my Tascam Model 16 Analog Mixer/Recorder?

[@TwinCreekAudio]

How many channels of IO does it have? Are the connections RCAs at -10 level? I'm familiar with the Model 15 and they should be similar except Tascam used the same model names and numbers on several things.

[@jorrickthole6505]

I use a Tascam 16x08 interface. Its very basic in buttons etc. but its pretty cheap, has super clean sound, and has 16 inputs.

[@bryanczap0826]

hey i got a question. what interface or interfaces are you using? awesome videos! just bought a tascam m520. these are helping me with some cool ideas.

[@TwinCreekAudio]

M520 should be a really good console. I have two interfaces with 12 inputs and outputs each for a total of 24 that connect to my console. It's a really good system to use for hybrid mixing

[@audiolego]

I see you use Reaper. I have the demo but my goodness I'm overwhelmed. Have you heard of Harrison Mixbus 32C? I love it and I use it now since 2021. I don't have to use a lot of plugins. The channel strip is great for me.

[@TwinCreekAudio]

It took me awhile to learn and customize Reaper for my needs but I really like it and it has been my main DAW for 10 years now. I also own Mixbus 7 and I love the way it sounds but have not used it extensively. I use Reaper with a lot of analog gear and find it gives me the flexibility and customization I need for hybrid work.

[@alexinsomniac]

Great video as always, I have a very similar workflow/setup to this and I love it

[@TwinCreekAudio]

I love working this way with analog gear. It works well for me and sounds great. I also think I'm faster working this way and it's easier to get good results. Thanks for your comment!

[@Electricowlworks]

Nice work as always, Grady! Thanks so much for sharing! - chaz

[@TwinCreekAudio]

Thank you! It takes time and work to figure out the videos but I love making them! I'm really glad everyone seems to be enjoying them.

[@raindogred]

could you use Reaper send channels for effects in the mixer? could you use an aux bus or something on the mixer? if audio travels out the channel into the daw, back out then back into the mixer im geussing latency could be introduced? Could apply the effects in reaper..but thats no fun. gonna have save some more money for a hardware reverb unit. Can you recomend a good but cheap one? This channel is great..watching all your old vids

[@TwinCreekAudio]

Thank you! I did include something about running effects in one of the videos. I'll have to look later and see which one. The way I would do it would be to send to the effect in Reaper and then return the channel with the effect to audio interface outputs that go to the console. This way the effects send would be in Reaper and the effects return would come up on the console so you could very the level of reverb in your hybrid mix that way. I know there's a video where I did this. I'll be trying to remember which one and post it when I remember. You can also use a send to send to an external effects unit. And Reaper that's an external insert that you would add to one track. Reaper has delay compensation so it might work though I have never tried it myself. Thank you so much for watching!

[@Salantsoundstudios]

Love your vids grady! Can you do a vid on tracking on a tape machine but monitoring through your DAW? I have all my headphone cues and monitor speakers hooked up into an interface but want to hear whats going down on tape (coming off tape). Thanks!

[@TwinCreekAudio]

Thanks! I will see what I can come up with for a video for that. Thanks again!

[@O.S.R.C.]

13 channels from your interface to your console... What is the connection from the interface to the PC (and which interface)? I'm not having any luck getting a definitive answer on how many simultaneous tracks I run across ( in my case) Firewire. I can find bandwidth number, but it becomes vague when I try and get channels spelled out. I've heard 8, but I know the MOTU 24io has 24 both ways... can it support that many at the same time? This somewhat will direct whether I need to look at different equipment in the future. Thanks Grady!

[@TwinCreekAudio]

I run 2 Echo Audiofire 12s which are FireWire interfaces with 12 analog inputs and outputs each so FW400 can definitely handle 24 channels of IO easily. My AF 12s are linked via firewire(daisy chained) and wordclock BNC. I also have a MOTU 828 and I use an Echo Audiofire 8 with its ADAT connections for 9-16 on that rig. I don't remember right now which I was using for this video but hopefully that will help. I've tried running the AF 8 daisy chained with the AF12s but that didn't work so 24 might be approaching the limit of FW 400. Also, with a Mac, I can create an aggregate device so I can use the MOTU and audio fires as if they were the same device. Let me know if you need clarification on anything. Thanks for the excellent question.

[@kevinlentz7604]

I’m going the same way in Luna Love it❤

[@TwinCreekAudio]

I hope to try Luna one day. Thanks and have fun!

[@kevinlentz7604]

I’m going the same way in Luna Love it

[@TwinCreekAudio]

I want to try Luna but I need money for new hardware to use it.

[@gwugluud]

When ADATs first appeared, they sounded clear and "good", but the digital sound was sterile and harmonically flat. My Mackie mixer was analog, but as analog mixers go, i think the Mackie i had made next to no difference re lending analog harmonics. Since the 90s, that issue is extinct now, with the many tape plugins and plugins which emulate 50s compressors, etc. In Reaper, I discovered among the effects plugins they include, one called "Saturation", which is excellent. It's some kind of tube stage emulator I assume, and I'll use that over my paid clipping and tape plugins half the time. Although I record digitally, I easily get that tubey, tapey lo fi sort of sound you need to have for recording mid 60s type garage rock and 1976-style punk rock. I feel I have the best setup for recording ive ever had at this point. There was a time that I wouldn't have thought that could be done by recording digitally.

[@TwinCreekAudio]

That has been my experience as well. I used a Mackie 8 bus with the expander for a lot of projects in the 90s. It actually sounded pretty good but I was using Tascam DA-88s which sounded a bit more analog to me at the time. I worked at another studio that had ADATs but they had an MCI console which helped the ADATs sound a lot in my opinion. I also enjoy the modern world of plugins and definitely find the Reaper and JS plugins are excellent. I don't showcase a lot of plugins and DAWs on my channel mainly because so many already do that on KZbin. I do use all of the modern digital plugins and workflow a lot though.

[@KevinFitzpatrick81]

Which Reaper theme are you rockin"?

[@TwinCreekAudio]

It's the Imperial Theme from House of the White Tie. They also have Dead Ringer which I use with smaller screens.

[@Ilikethatmusic_typebeats]

Hey, I have a question. I noticed in one of your videos that you were reviewing the Allen and Heath Zed series. I'm currently waiting on the Zed14. I just returned a Soundcraft EPM12 because I was having some issues, though it might just be due to my lack of knowledge about routing a mixer. Here's my setup: I connected the XLR main out to a Presonus monitor station and the channel 12 stereo on the Soundcraft to a Clarett +8pre monitor in. My connections go through a patchbay with hardware compressors on most inserts. I go from line mixer to patchbay, then Protools will not let me set outputs back to line mixer. I get a massage that output is in use, so I have to insert on track like a plugin. This works and sounds great, but when I create a print track, it only records the raw vocals back in. I'm lost and can't find any helpful videos-there's a lot of clickbait out there. I hope this wasn't too long or confusing. Please help if you can. P.S. I love the Soundcraft, but the EQ wasn’t built sturdy enough, and the Allen & Heath colors match my equipment better.

[@TwinCreekAudio]

It sounds like there may be a limitation with either the Clarett driver or a Pro Tools limitation. I have not been a PT user for many years. It is difficult to understand such an individualized setup however, so it may be something else with the way you have things connected together.

[@Ilikethatmusic_typebeats]

@@TwinCreekAudio I was reading what comes with Protools Artist and it states 4/4 input and output I/O which I’m assuming that they are forcing anyone who’s trying to track back through a board has to upgrade, but I don’t want to jump the gun just yet.. I’m going to unplug my hardware and route the Zed soon it ship to me and see if that’s the problem. I also know that you can use USB with the Zed but me personally think that takes away from the analog sound I’m assuming again..

[@TwinCreekAudio]

@@Ilikethatmusic_typebeats it shouldn't take away from the analog sound but the USB is only 2 channels I think. Ideally, you need a lot of separate outputs on an audio interface to connect to analog inputs.

[@Ilikethatmusic_typebeats]

@@TwinCreekAudio I failed to mention at the moment I’m using my old Pro 40 so I have 12 in and 12 out to the patchbay. And yes I would like to send the stems back in separately to finish with the mix then come back out the Zed for Summing.. Why the long process is beacuse for some reason my plugins aren’t active or like I said I could be just setting things up wrong..

[@TwinCreekAudio]

@@Ilikethatmusic_typebeats the main thing is it have separate audio interface outputs which you send different tracks out through to inputs on the console. They can be line inputs or tape inputs if the console has them. Then connect the main LR out from the console to a pair of inputs on the audio interface to capture the analog summed mix back into the project. In my case, I use a completely separate interface to capture the final mix. This isn't really necessary, but I will do it this way in order to also record a voice track so the video will sync to the audio. A few of my most popular videos go into more detail of this setup with a Soundtracs Topaz. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIjQqZ6FZ8yhhdU kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIjQqZ6FZ8yhhdU

[@domdraper3221]

Great video man. Did you say which interface you use?

[@TwinCreekAudio]

Thank you! They are Echo Audiofire 12s. I filmed a segment about those too but the details seemed to be more for recording with them so I saved that for another video. Thanks again!

[@domdraper3221]

@@TwinCreekAudio oh yea that would be a good video. I always struggle with either sending the signal into the interface too hot, or sending it back through into the computer too hot once I do any eq or volume adjustments. I’m also never sure if I should deal with signal dynamics before sending the signal to the interface from the computer so it doesn’t peak. I have a Cymatic audio 24 I/O interface. I’m not sure if the sound quality is that good, but it has the simple ins and outs which is good. 👍

[@TwinCreekAudio]

I'm usually combining signals in the analog domain and I use the DAW to gain stage the levels from the audio interface to the console. It seems to work well whether I'm processing in the box or with outboard gear. If I have a lot of plugins bringing up the levels, I'll lower the fader. It also helps to have analog gear with good headroom. I like the idea of making a video about some of the things you mention so I'll start planning out how to do that. Thanks again!

[@darkmoonz7697]

That’s the workflow I like to use … I got an Tascam 2524 … How do I route my mixer to achieve this workflow? Hard for me to understand .. Thanks for your videos ! :)

[@TwinCreekAudio]

You can feed the inputs of the console from multiple outputs on your audio interface to work this way. You can combine different things to a single output or a pair in the DAW as well. I have another video that shows more about how I set this up. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIjQqZ6FZ8yhhdU Maybe this video will help too. I don't know the specifics of your mixer but the general concept should be the same. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.

[@darkmoonz7697]

@@TwinCreekAudio Thank you so much !

[@billyrayvalentine7972]

I grew up on 2 inch tape and absolutely love the sound. But you only get 15 minutes of tape at 30ips. Also not only do you have to align the input and output you need to bias each track on each reel first. So you are looking at 15 to 20 minutes of set up time if you are good at it.. And they were 200.00 a reel in the 1980s

[@TwinCreekAudio]

At my first studio jobs, all we had was tape. Then the modular digital multitracks came along and I used those extensively. I remember working at one studio that had an MCI 2-in 16 track machine and ADATs. I learned to appreciate the ADATs because the MCI always had issues that would get in the way of the session. These days, tape is more for fun for me. Almost all the work I do in my studio is with digital. Even clients that would like to use tape usually can't afford the tape cost so the two machines I have here are more for fun and for my own use than any professional use. I will say that the Fostex R8 and the Tascam MSR-16 are actually much better sounding than I expected being semi-professional narrow gauge machines. The Tascam has a particular sound that I really enjoy for certain things.

[@unnimusic007]

Sir it's a very nice video in a very simple formate

[@TwinCreekAudio]

Thank you! I want to make the videos easy to understand and also fun to watch.

[@coffeehigh420]

the tape plugin, is that free software ? if not, what is it and how much? thanks!

[@TwinCreekAudio]

It's SoftTube Tape. It's not a free plugin but it's not expensive. I've seen it priced from $40 to $99 at different times. It's a good one and my favorite tape plugin though I like Slate VTM for things I want more subtle tape sound on.

[@coffeehigh420]

@@TwinCreekAudio ok great thanks!

[@joaoantoniovione484]

I'm working on a behringer 3282A and an 8 i/o interface. Wanting to add MIDI synth modules for extra outputs and fx automation. How would you go about maximizing an "8-track recorder"? or 8-track mix while retaining control over stuff, if you were to mix solely otb.

[@TwinCreekAudio]

You could use the console inputs to connect sound modules along with the 8 tracks of audio. Then mix all back into 2 channels of the interface and record back into the DAW. This way the spund modules aren't recorded until the final mix. Hope that helps and let me know if you have more questions.

[@TwinCreekAudio]

This kind of thing was done back in the 80s and 90s. You sync the MIDi devices to the tape and then use the console to mix the recorded tracks and MIDI tracks down to a mixdown machine. These days you can use your DAWs MIDi interface for the sequencer and recorder so it's a little easier than it used to be.

[@daddydanny5588]

wow . interesting

[@TwinCreekAudio]

Thank you!

[@tri-unetrl3966]

What DAW are you using?

[@TwinCreekAudio]

It's Reaper with House of the White Tie Imperial Theme.

[@MinisterTravis]

how does the converters of the audio fire sound

[@TwinCreekAudio]

They aren't bad at all. Capable of very professional sounding audio. The company no longer makes audio interfaces for the studio but have updated the driver fairly recently so support isnt terrible on Windows though they probably won't work on newer M1 Macs at all.

[@MinisterTravis]

@@TwinCreekAudio would u say they’re better sounding then a digi 003

[@TwinCreekAudio]

@@MinisterTravis I have never directly compared them but I would think so, yes. Based on the specs and reviews though.

[@MinisterTravis]

@@TwinCreekAudio Thanks! You have anything I can hear?

[@TwinCreekAudio]

@@MinisterTravis there's a lot of things I've mixed or produced and a few albums of my own. The links should be in the video descriptions but you can search Homespun Centaurs, Shadow + Echo, Circular Corners, etc to find it.

[@LosFicosMusic]

Non of those tape plugin will ever sound like the Real thing

[@TwinCreekAudio]

That's true. They kind of do their own thing.

[@wmccourtney2814]

DAW can't meet the wonderful presence, warmth, and quality of tape recording.

[@TwinCreekAudio]

I prefer the workflow if using analog gear too. Too many plugins and things waste a lot of time when you're trying to decide what to use. I know all my hardware very well so the choice is much easier. I do use some plugins but typically mix and record with analog gear. I don't get to use tape as often as I'd like due to the cost though.

[@JamesK-i9e]

A very talkative explanation. Why not just show how to do it without the history and personal thoughts?

[@TwinCreekAudio]

I'm not sure but that was just the choice I made at the time. Possibly trying to keep the video more interesting and explain my background so that people would understand that I know what I'm talking about. That's an older video though. Now I tried to get straight to the point and haven't said too much unless it was to comment that I had personal experience with something that I'm talking about and not just repeating things from the internet.

[@bryanczap0826]

hey i got a question. what interface or interfaces are you using? awesome videos! just bought a tascam m520. these are helping me with some cool ideas.

[@TwinCreekAudio]

Thank you! I have several interfaces but the main ones I use with the console are modified Echo Audiofires. They aren't made anymore but they work really well with an analog console due to the way their software mixer works. I'm able to use my hybrid setup with an analog console the same way I would have used the console with a tape machine.