Mixing Analog Tape Tracks

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Pre & Post hardware treatment 23:44 Final Mix Print at 26:45

[@csilt]

Would you be willing to provide a link to download a wave file of the mix?

[@Nikkie_jurnigan]

can you do More video Like this

[@nicefish10]

Let’s also appreciate how clean the tracks were recorded. No substitute for a well rehearsed band that’s paying attention to every little aspect of their performance. No hand scrapes across bass strings, no throat clearing and loud breathing . Clean rehearsed performances mean better final product. Great video as always!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Absolutely tracking is more than half the battle. These are all great musicians.

[@HankMartin-ll4pi]

Great video just subscribed thanks for sharing! 🎼🎶🎸😊👍

[@ryanseddon4800]

That was such a concise and enjoyable window into the world of master mixing. Learnt alot

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you! and glad to hear!

[@xxxxxxxxxx02]

Wow, sick sound! Not only did you rescue those tracks from oblivion, you gave them life!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

@@xxxxxxxxxx02 Thank you! I appreciate you.

[@recordingwhiz]

Great vid, love to hear full band mixing.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you! Me too!

[@earflower]

This is what recording studio You Tube videos would have looked like in the late seventies early eighties. Nice work keeping the old ways alive.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you!

[@eriksonjohhnny]

Excellent video! I've been following your videos for a long time. I have learned a lot from you. Hugs from Brazil!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you! Much appreciated!

[@Studio22mix]

Great video as always 👌🏼 I love mixing on an analog desk, it’s my top favorite hobby really enjoy watching your approaches ❤

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you! I like the dimension, color, & width console adds as well.

[@atleengelstad5303]

It is when the outboard gear comes in that this track really starts to shine! Love this video! Good job!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you! And I agree the dimensional character the outboard added speaks for itself.

[@castawaymusic144]

Great video! Sounds great...very 70's. Maybe some day I'll have translation confidence....but it's not today. 🙂

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you!

[@woodnoname5015]

Nice and instructive. Thanks , most apprecieated!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you! I appreciate the feedback!

[@TheMessiah91]

A Master at work!

[@darrensinnott2197]

Just scored me a 16 track reel to reel....slowly but surely getting there....love this channel!!!!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Awesome and thank you!

[@bobchris11]

Very nice instructional video. Before you brought in the vocals, I heard Donald Fagen in my head. 😂

[@RiotHomeRecording]

🤭thank you

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

That has to be satisfying to help a group recover their old stuff! Awesome job Sir!!! Salute to you!!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

It is!

[@ElMarko2000]

Superb video. And a great illustration of why the analogue vs digital debate is redundant. Knowledge trumps gear talk every time.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Yes sir, agreed. Thank you!

[@madzoo4399]

So good! Everything recoded in your Studio And by the way I Love you mix console JH series by MCI ... ( This great song to me is Like a Steely Dan vibes) .. congrats from BRASIL ..thank you for share ...

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@D4dd3Ors0]

Very cool mix, amazing!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you!

[@pbee73]

I love how you brightened it up with minimal work! I prefer the MV2 on vocals because it raises the softer parts while not completely "squeezing" the louder ones. It keeps everything on a more even keel throughout the mix.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you very much! What is the MV2? I want to look into it.

[@pbee73]

@@RiotHomeRecording You're welcome and the MV2 is from Waves.

[@HandmadeProps]

Fantastic video...its refreshing to watch a video where the explication of the process is easy to understand and follow...really appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience!!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@DarkTrapStudio]

This might be the best free series about tape

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you!

[@The_Absurdistt]

If I could give this vid a thousand thumbs up... love the step-by-step mix. Thank you.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Very much appreciated!

[@ClaudeLavender]

I like your videos quite a bit. Very cool equipment and skill!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you very much!

[@schance1666]

Awesome! Huge sound and dang that tape sounds good. I just mod'd my Tascam 488 to have direct outs and I'm going through my hundreds of recordings from 20 yrs ago and digitizing them. Humbling but fun as heck. Great to do some remixing!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

You and I are on the same page my friend! I love going back in time and hearing the tracks off tape! Thank you!

[@schance1666]

@@RiotHomeRecording Same page, but I've got like an e-book and you're on a signed first-edition hardcover, but hey! :-) Yeah, it's super fun, man. Especially editing and putting a bunch of effects on there that we could only have dreamed of 20yrs back! I'm working on getting my Soundcraft 600 up and running. Watching your vids definitely gets the inspiration going.

[@ajlsoundwave]

Enjoyed seeing your process - thx for documenting and sharing.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Appreciate it! Thank you.

[@bontempo1271]

Man, really enjoy your videos, thank you very much for making these, much appreciated ! Even had a bit of a boogie at the end of the vid 😂 Doesn't matter how long someone's been at this game, we're always learning when watching others at work. That hardware compressor shootout was so so helpful too. You can hear and feel how a mix transforms a recording into something pleasant with a groove you can't help but move to. And i've noticed that it's what hardware does, and plugins still don't get that right. Believe me i've tried. Hardware preamps do it and so do compressors. Everything else i can get away with in plugins. Cheers bud !

[@RiotHomeRecording]

100% agreed! I love using both digital and analog to achieve the sound I already hear in my head. I’m right with you when you say plug in compressors don’t do what hardware does. 100%

[@bontempo1271]

@@RiotHomeRecording Yea digital and analog is a nice combination, best of both worlds

[@RiotHomeRecording]

@@bontempo1271 It’s how I work!

[@TheGarageRecordingSC]

Really sounds fantastic!!!! Thoroughly enjoyed watching the process!! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thanks so much!

[@nikolaikitanov9996]

Amazing frresh mix!! Your presentation is very, very valuble for me!! Thank you very much!!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Glad to hear that!

[@craigchapman1680]

That post-mix snare is just superb

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you!

[@brandonwatkins9003]

Great mix!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you Brandon!

[@joboiecruiser]

Nice video. Watching you reminds me of why I don't use "in the box" processing. I can't stand using a mouse, even when truning my Studio One on. I use only analog gear as my processing and mixing tools. I like the "hands on" approach adjusting on the console as I go. But it is nice to see someone who is comforable and knowledgable doing his thing with a computer keyboard. Used tape machines for 20 years, but the price of tape forced me to put my tape machine in storage. Joe Logsdon & Comapny on KZbin

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you Joe! I like using both digital and analog to get the results I’m after. I will check out your channel.

[@slartibartfast1268]

Great video. Very concise and informative. Also struck by the smooth, warm sound of the analog recording, and the sheer talent of the musicians.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you! Yes the musicianship is top notch and makes it easy!

[@IlkoBirov]

Love that Little Plate reverb. Thanks for sharing your process. It sounds great! Subscribed.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Awesome, thank you!

[@MrJonesy2121]

Nice job, especially listening to the before. End the after good job.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thanks for listening

[@caffeinastudio832]

Awesome how you pulled up those plugins, shows you really care to make your videos creative and interesting, keep on making awesome content!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you!

[@thepanicroommastering2062]

Outstanding Studio and demonstration!! Respect 🫡

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you!

[@mespap273]

Jooow, GREAT JOB indeed, man!!! YOU know what ya doin' !!!!!! Greetz from out of Frankfurt am Main, "Mainhattan", Germany ;-)

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@MoreMeRecording]

Superb 70s sound and vibe here.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thanks for listening

[@urielterry]

man, what does a mix song cost? i like you gear

[@fredkaeppel8130]

Terrific job of explaining what you are doing while you are doing a fantastic mix! Two different skills! Question: why are there TWO bass guitar tracks?

[@illreel5169]

Great Job!!!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you!

[@kdsz944]

wow...this is gold, this is the sound that whatever you put through can't be destroyed!!!! If I may suggest, though I totally understand if you don't care, t would be great if you could get a better camera and lighting for video production. Everything else wonderfull

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you very much for the kind words. I use my IPhone 11 to make these videos and sometimes a go pro. The lights are cheap from Amazon. I will look into maybe upgrading, but I’m sure like everything it’s expensive. Thank you

[@DavidMorley]

Excellent video.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you

[@oceansiderecordingstudio]

Fantastic man just plain fantastic. You rock

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you I appreciate it!

[@aurakolstudio925]

I enjoyed every moment of it, Thank you, very well done and what an awesome MiX ,really Tasty ,groovy and really good quality sound Love the dream Analog Gear you've got , but i know it's the ears that count ,the gear just helps . i like the train of thought and process and cant wait to watch more ... great looking studio with great lighting and vibe !!!!🤍

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you very much!

[@bobbaumeister5243]

Amazing work! You are great! Greetings from Germany

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you very much!

[@kellypeterson2625]

Sounds great! Do you ever bake those old tapes?

[@RiotHomeRecording]

I never have, I probably should look into it as I have good amount of old tape stock with great artists on it.

[@kellypeterson2625]

@@RiotHomeRecording There are a number of videos on KZbin about how to do it. Economic solutions.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

@@kellypeterson2625 Thank you! I’ll check them out.

[@mixolydian2010]

nice

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thanks

[@adee2569]

fantastic!!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thanks!

[@shineliketko]

Sounds great man!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you I appreciate it!

[@mulcahykv]

Great mix and great instruction in this video. Just curious, do you bus the drums within the console, or bring the separate daw drum tracks and the daw drum bus through individual tracks on the board?

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you! In this video I set up an six buss out of protools and sent it to 2 channels if my console hard panned left and right.

[@philbrown102]

Is that guitar I hear mixed in with the keys? Sounds like a pretty distinct slide in the riff.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Yes it is, I panned them and grouped them with the keys.

[@willc6887]

Great stuff. What Genelec models are those?

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Genelec 8050a Thank you!

[@CRYSTALSHIPSS]

I liked what you did with the mix overall, after I listened a bunch of times do you think the horns section should be brought to the front a little more? They really make the song shine.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

I did this mix in a couple house while making this video. I’m overall satisfied with the mix, but do hear what your saying I could if made them a little more up front. Thank you!

[@bloozerd]

Great job...love it...!...BTW...I recently acquired a Sony/MCI MPX 3036. I head to Vancouver Island, BC to pick it up this Friday. Needless to say I'm pretty excited have this! Question: How are you getting your outboard gear to the desk?

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you and great to hear let me know what you think about it when you have a chance to play with it.

[@Alex.Scotti]

Good Job. I like it a lot!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you Alex!

[@mufakkas9731]

soo amazing video, thanks!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Glad you liked it! Thank you!

[@kylecalandrelle7209]

Sounds great

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you!

[@steveward6255]

I dont have any outboard gear. How do you connect the tape machine to the board/DAW

[@RiotHomeRecording]

With a patchbay.

[@oO5Dynasty]

Hey, I am a hip-hop rap artist from new york. I am in the process of recording my album, but it wouldnt be at a studio that has your type of equipment. Was wondering how could I contact you about possible sending a rough draft of my music and you blessing it with that analog/digital mix. I am looking for that warm analog tape sound from the 70's and 80's.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

You can email me at [e-mail]

[@chrisjay3026]

Did you bake the tape first?

[@PagalheoQuartoRecords]

AMAZING!!!!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you!

[@8028rsj]

Great video Steven. Tracking through one board to tape and most of the magic is captured in my opinion. how come you switched off the digital processing when you went into the hardware world. Wouldnt you need to hear what the hardware was doing to the already processed digital. How could you be sure the hardware adjsutments would not clash with what you did in the box. Or is it that the final print was just what you did in the hardware world. I was a bit confused about this.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

The digital was on the entire time even when I was applying the analog gear. I only switched the digital off momentarily to compare how the plugs ins I applied was affecting the mix. The final print is everything I did in the video both digital and analog. Hope this clears things up. Thank you!

[@8028rsj]

Ahh ok, understood...

[@2011Rollsroyce]

What Audio Interface do you use, to go from your tape machine Into Pro Tools.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

I have Burl Mothership for my inputs & outputs.

[@2011Rollsroyce]

Thanks for the info.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

@@2011Rollsroyce Before the burls I had Apogee AD/DA-16X converters. They were good but the burls are great!

[@mobiletoonz]

100% better than the original, that being said overall is a little to bright or cymbals IMO. still better than anything I could ever do. :)

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thanks for your feedback I appreciate it!

[@seanmcdonald4686]

My band is looking for an analog studio with an experienced producer where we can record our second album. How can we hire you?

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Where are you located?

[@seanmcdonald4686]

@@RiotHomeRecording Western Pennsylvania

[@ttttiiimmy10bit]

it works!

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Yes it does!

[@flexjammer]

The balance is fine, but I hear the snare and overheads too bright, maybe try less compression and better equalization would be cohesive

[@RiotHomeRecording]

I mixed this in a couple hours while video taping and explaining the process. I go with how I feel and move on when mixing. I’m satisfied with the end results. I do appreciate your feed back. Everyone hears things differently, in different rooms, on different systems. Thank you!

[@dkokalanov]

I wonder why didn't you first clean and "bake" the tape?

[@RiotHomeRecording]

I don’t bake any tape.

[@willyecharte]

great!

[@DarkTrapStudio]

Are you nostalgic of past engineering sometimes ? Even if we both acknowledge (I guess) It's best to have all choice and be capable to make world leading mix/master with only a laptop. Im young but I would liked to live this era of engineering and producing too.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

I prefer to use digital and analog to mix.

[@shardsrecordingstudio-matt2247]

It's a double edged sword. I've saved folks time and money because of the power and flexibility of modern digital daw recording (specifically re: vocal comping, or taking 3 full band live takes and comping 1 good master take), but I've also watched flexibility turn into a monster and give people the power to kill vibe and grind a song/performance into an emotionless paste because of options. That's why I always try to get a rough vocal comp that we "chew on" while we get other things done.

[@malcolmpalm]

Class is in session

[@giorgib]

Bake the tapes

[@RiotHomeRecording]

I should look into this. Thank you!

[@ronmoes42]

nice mix, but the high hats are a bit too much... This song is warm and cozzy that should reflect in every instrument.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thanks

[@chrisjay3026]

There was no track sheet in the box? Ouch lol

[@RiotHomeRecording]

@@chrisjay3026 no big deal, it’s easy enough to figure out. LOL

[@chrisjay3026]

@RiotHomeRecording after a while it is like the matrix. The waveforms look like instruments and vocals anyway.

[@gregbradshaw7220]

Is that a Chicago accent

[@RiotHomeRecording]

I am in Chicago.

[@bobsbits5357]

hi i know tape like amp 499 is getting old so are the tape decks i have some 2 inch deck i find it down to the make of tape basf are not to bad only the box they put the tapes in are now coming apart it's hard to find new 2 inch boxes in the eu i bet it hard to get track from a not pro 24 track say a soundcraft 760 - 16 track i have alot of the not pro decks i have a otari mx 80 the 90 would not get in side my front door i have a otari mtr 12 1/2 1/4 to play back master tapes zonal they are still ok

[@HTech123]

I suppose by "horns" you mean trumpets?

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Yes the horns. Thank you!

[@HTech123]

@@RiotHomeRecordingHorns are trumpets, saxes and trombones.

[@slamcrank]

at 5:14 ... those bass tracks are out of phase. :(

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Yes, I flipped the phase not every thing made it in the video. I actually pulled one bass track back to phase align. I did the same thing with the overheads and the snare. Thank you!

[@TomDavids1]

Why do you use plug-ins?just taking Away from the analog magic of the tape you’re using

[@RiotHomeRecording]

I don’t be that it takes away from the “analog magic”. I think it improves it. I believe some of it is lost during the transfer into the computer, but then I use plug ins to improve the tracks for example the kick drum needed serious help. That plug in helped that track. Thanks for your question! Steve

[@1364a-c3w]

great simple to understand video with great demos of outboard gear, well done👍

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Thank you!

[@_c_y_p_3]

If angels existed this is what they would be doing.

[@_c_y_p_3]

Tremendously interesting to hear this , it is a sonic trip back in time , so clearly different than what we are accustomed to, analog on analog on digital on analog. The part that it really works magic on is the hats , those hats!!! All the cymbals sound like gold.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

Tape definitely adds a cool character that just sounds musical and organic. As you mentioned it’s especially noticeable in the cymbals and I’d say guitars as well. Thank you!

[@PhatLvis]

Oh, no. Not plugins. All that great gear. Plugins are a lie. They flatten the sound, killing high-high end. Even the Best ones.

[@RiotHomeRecording]

I use whatever tools I can to achieve the sound I’m going for. I love it all analog and digital!

[@WheelieMix]

Some are plugins literally do nothing until you ask them too. Scientific null test proves it. Plugins are def not the plague if you know what you’re doing :).