I`m 53 and these were very popular in the 80s among bands. Most demos from garage bands back then was recorded on these. But we learned quickly how to enhance the sound by using compressor. Often just a ordinary BOSS compressor box would do magic to the recordings. Very rarely we recorded direct on tape without any effects. One demo we made we actually used our PA for vocals and just put a microphone in front of it. The positive sides to working with these things is you have to be creative, and you actually learn a lot about recording and problem solving. The other positive thing is you have to be well prepared and rehearsed as there is often no possibility to jump in without hearing the cut on tape. We used to send the finished recording through the PA mixer, into a stereo cassette player and put EQ and reverb etc on it, so even tho this video is a cool experiment for younger people, it really doesn`t show how we used to do things back in the day. ;)

All that hiss is from the basic cassette tape. Ditch the Type 1 tape, you need type 2.. most old 4 multi track cassette recorders recommend you do so.

@corybergeronrecordings

4 жыл бұрын

I took your advice 😊kzread.info/dash/bejne/i4iV1seRgc2nmqw.html

I had one of those back in the day I made some high quality recording on it you just has to know what you are doing.

Album "Gruppa krovi" (Blood Type) of Kino band from USSR was recorded on 4-track portastudio and mixed by professional sound engineer in well equipped home studio. This album has a really good sound. It was released in USA in 1989 but was remastered for releasing on vinyl.

@brandonlefton1346

2 жыл бұрын

Lol I love that album...I got into Russian new wave last year

Hey Cory - enjoyed the video ! Looks like you were cutting to a Normal Bias / Type 1 cassette ? Have you tried using High Bias ( Type 2 ) cassettes for your 4 track ? It makes a world of difference.

@JohnBassarcticsoundstudios

5 жыл бұрын

Yes great point those were setup for chrome Tapes makes a big difference.

@NickB-md1oy

4 жыл бұрын

Funny he likes the comment that corrects him without bashing his inexperience.

@corybergeronrecordings

4 жыл бұрын

I was using Type 1 in this video. I learned my lesson when I made this video, so I made a new one using a Type 2 High-Bias cassette tape: kzread.info/dash/bejne/i4iV1seRgc2nmqw.html

Hey Dude, it's not the deck that's noisy, you are Not using the proper cassettes! This deck is not made to use Normal Bias (Type 1) tape! You have to use High Bias (Type 2) chromium dioxide cassette tapes, and, magically, the tape hiss will disappear! And also, this deck CAN create professional quality recordings, but you have to take the time to learn how to use your mics, by placing them up close to the music, so that you can turn your levels down, and cut the room noise out of the mix. I used these recorders alot, and I made some very professional recordings on them, you simply have to know how analog recording works. You don't seem to understand what you are doing with this machine.. Please take the time to learn more about the process, my friend! You will have much better results, for sure! Lary

@corybergeronrecordings

4 жыл бұрын

I took your advice: kzread.info/dash/bejne/i4iV1seRgc2nmqw.html

What I love about portestudios is that recor dings sound somewhat like memories. Nice unit!

He is WAY too far from the mic, way too much room sound. Should have used 2 mics and got up close, it would have had a MUCH better sound. You did the 4 track recorder a disservice. In fact, you can't possibly be recording for money because that was the worst recording technique I have ever seen, then you complain and say it was hard to get liud, gee, really? He should have been FAR closer to that mic and you could have then turned the preamp down which would have lowered the noise. God, as I type you are talking about the hiss when you had to have the preamp gain so high because he was frickin 4 feet from the mic. Are you kidding with this? Properly micing him even with just the 1 mic would have given you a sound 3 or 4 times better quality. Less bad room sound, less noise, more signal to noise ratio. Good god, learn how a mic works dude.

@subwaygaragemusic

5 жыл бұрын

God, I recorded music on a four-track that sounded way worse than this and I don't even have any complain. I just happy I got my music down.

@BarnacleButtock

5 жыл бұрын

This is what the ease and cheating of modern DAW based music is creating. A generation of creatively bankrupt morons who haven't the faintest idea how to record music, and zero appreciation for the old tried and true methods and techniques.

@crnkmnky

4 жыл бұрын

😶 Yikes, y'all are savage. Were the personal attacks necessary?

@chevydude658

4 жыл бұрын

Do you guys feel better? Did you prove a point by being such ass holes?

@absolving

3 жыл бұрын

EXACTLY. This recording sounded awful. Edit: I'd like to say I think this guy seems like a really nice and friendly person, but this recording was a swing and a miss

I enjoyed your video. Some tips I learned over the years on these things. The pre's on these units were always the week point. The trick is using an outboard pre, and hitting them a lot harder and a pre with a better signal to noise ratio will allow you to push down the noise floor. Most of that noise floor IS the preamp not as much tape hiss.

@bradfield2266

5 жыл бұрын

Came here to say the same thing. I only learned this recently. No one ever, and I mean ever, offered this crucial piece of advice when I was doing most of my four tracking 20 years ago. Almost any tube preamp and cheap mixing board is better than using the four tracks built in shit. Trim knobs should be kept at ZERO as that is where all the extra unwanted noise comes from

@jonesvox1

4 жыл бұрын

Poor microphone technique is at fault here, not preamps. Not being a jerk but anyone with novice skill should know how a dynamic mic works. Plus, why would you demonstrate using a “4-track” and not utilize all 4 tracks???

Seen at the time you said use type 1. Like to let you know and others you can get brand new made type 2 at national audio company they sale a box of 10 for 40. bucks

You gotta go through ping-pong to fully appreciate what we had to do back in the 80s.

Greetings! I just dug out my 1980's Yamaha MT1X, but seems the play head is stuck, and for some reason a cassette tape was left in there? Any suggestions on getting it to work again, I love old analog machines, and I am wanting to do some analog to digital transfers from a bunch of old MT1X multi-track cassette tapes of mine? "Play" is not working? The Rew & FF works, Stop works, Pause depresses, Record does not depress, but the tape tabs may be out, and I don't want to force-trash anything... does anybody even know how to fix or work on these?

Nice!!!

When you say the hiss do you mean while tracking or during playback? I want to use this as a mixer and hiss during tracking would be a no-go.

Very very good my friend

very poor job bud, you should have read the manual online. heres the issues with this video 1. you were using low bias type i tape. this machine is biased for type ii cassettes 2. you should have cleaned the heads and pinch roller with some 99% alcohol before recording 3. analog requires a louder input level. you were showing your lack of hardware experience not slamming those inputs and mic up the guitars closer. 4.using a compressor on the front end will help make louder mixes also using a stereo compressor/limiter for mixdown as well would have helped. you can make incredible recordings on that machine and cut albums if you spent more time planning ahead. you could easily route 2 mics on his guitar to one channel and get a nice blend of frequencies. sorry man you should redo this video and use more direct in recording. you will be suprised1

@corybergeronrecordings

4 жыл бұрын

I agree, so I took your advice: kzread.info/dash/bejne/i4iV1seRgc2nmqw.html

@arttheboy

4 жыл бұрын

alcohol will break down the pinch roller and rubber parts be careful

Random question. Did you use a type 2 chrome tape. These things normally only take type 2 tapes cuz the type 1 isn't high enough quality, basically.

@keinunvergebenesaliasgefunden

5 жыл бұрын

Maybe that has to do with the weight of the tape too, which should be light for 4-track recorders? I have heard on 4-track recorders with double speed function no tapes with more than 90 minutes total length should be used. Seems the longer tapes could cause overheating.

@corybergeronrecordings

4 жыл бұрын

I used Type 1 😔BUT, I used TYPE 2 in this video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/i4iV1seRgc2nmqw.html

I think usually if you have a quiter room, meaning no air conditioner going or any thing better recordings canbe don on 4 track, plus having the gain adjust just right, to avoid too much noise. Old knowledge and modern knowledge is a great tool to know. I been trying to geta 4 track tape recording machine, but mostly I find on ebay either broken or for parts and the ones they do have working, the prices are very high. If I had that kind of money to work with each time then not as bad, but I'm disabled. and I don't have a job any more.

@bradfield2266

5 жыл бұрын

Gain/trim knobs on the four track should be kept at ZERO at all times. They’re so noisy. Any cheap mixing board/tube preamp will be better.

Did I miss something? Did you play the final mix?

I have just bought a fostex 260! What kind of cassettes is best to use ?

@electrowayne2918

4 күн бұрын

Type II tapes only. Lots of new “ old stock” on eBay. Maxell or TDK are my favorite tapes. I’m using a tascam 4 track

The way i used to record. Its like this. Drums 2 mics one above une on the floor close to the kick into 2 tracks then sort off mix them. Then bounce them to track 3 Record bass in track 1 bounce drums and bass to track4 Record Guitar. In track 2 Lead guitar in track 3 Vox in track 1. Punch in guitar solo in vox track if it fits lol Another trick was to record that mix to an external cassete deck then record it back into further up on the tape so you can keep the original takes now you have 2 guitars bass and drums in 2 tracks and still have 2 more tracks for backing vocals or what ever. The trick its to re record it on a brand new blink spot on the tape. Using that trick it gives you. Unlimited tracks but each time you bounce there is going to be more noice. And less highs lol but plannimg was the key back then. Another thing was to record everythimg as close as the final product because there wasnt much of a undo option other than go to the begining of the tape where the original takes where good luck

what the hell did that guy say about the Fostex in english? I love my Tascam 424 MK ll !! Got it New, sealed in the box yet 2 years ago!

How would you describe out current world? Modern? Digital perhaps? Let me know

@corybergeronrecordings

6 жыл бұрын

100111010100101010010010011001010101010101010100101010101010100111

Ja ja da razzle & dazzle ya ya da Kassette aufzeichnun ya ya Gratski ja ja DANKE👍👍💛

Hey Brian! sick guitar ;)

@corybergeronrecordings

6 жыл бұрын

;)

Poor microphone technique is at fault here, not preamps. Not being a jerk but anyone with novice skill should know how a dynamic mic works. Plus, why would you demonstrate using a “4-track” and not utilize all 4 tracks???

UPDATE: I made a new video in which I record a song using a TYPE 2 HIGH-BIAS CASSETTE TAPE, thanks for your feedback: kzread.info/dash/bejne/i4iV1seRgc2nmqw.html

@giuliano8031

5 жыл бұрын

Hazza Mack And why this isn’t a reason to haven’t a life destination?

@filermusicuk

4 жыл бұрын

You should try a second time learning from the comments. A before and after would be good. Use all 4 tracks and try some punch ins to show how versatile these things are.

actual recording starts at 4:35 if you don't want to listen to this guy talk about what a cassette recorder is.

Would love to see a 4-mic drum tracking method applied using this thing! Keep up the good work xoxo

@corybergeronrecordings

6 жыл бұрын

I would love to do this someday!

i did a test i have tascam dp 1 digital recorder 8 tracks then i test also tascam - 4 track cassette recorder side by side test with same chords and volume it sound the same, only thing that test not the same was with Condenser microphone why was case the tascam - 4 track cassette recorder pick up the sound the cassette recorder was doing by turning as it record. where the digital recorder pick up no sounds butt what i record. then i test with computer the computer dont even sound like digital recorder or cassette recorder. so dont risk getting cassette recorders case its a wast and risk of money case they used and some need fix and they wont more than what they cost new back in the day. THE GOOD NEWS IS OLD SCHOOL DAYS ARE BACK KINDA BY TASCAM they GOT NEW MIXER OUT THAT DO 3 THINGS AND MUCH MORE LIVE, MT RECORDER, AND ALL TRACKS AT ONCE IF YOU LIKE, THEN IT CAN ALSO BE USE AS A INTER FACE IT JUST GOT REVERB FOR FX BUTT THE POINT IS IT TAKE YOU BACK TO THE OLD Analog recording DAY,s no it dont use tape butt it does sd card, butt so what its the same its just not tape stand alone recorders digital or cassette has to format the card or cassette before it records, where cassette formats the same time as is records that a step before. WHERE A COMPUTER YES DOES THE SAME BEFORE YOU INSTALL A os TO THE COMPUTER HARD DRIVE THE SAME ITS GOT BE FORMAT TO HOLD INFO. BUTT HEAR WHY COMPUTER RECORDING NOT AS GOOD AS STAND ALONE RECORCERS digital/or cassette is BECASE A COMPUTER NOT ONLY RECORDING ITS GOING PASS THE RECORDE PART BY SLICE AND CHOPPING SOUND WAVE SO THIS WHY THE SOUNDS CHANGE WHERE THE STAND ALONE RECRODERS MATCH EACH OTHER THEY DONT SLICE AND CHOP THEY JUST WRIGHT TO THE DRIVE THAT WHAT EVER USE TAPE.SD CARD OR WHAT EVER. THE TIME THEY TOOK OUT THE hard drive in digital recorder'S WAS THE BEST THING THEY COULD OF EVER DID CASE NOW THEY just wright like the cassette do. ok i willl now name the new tech they got thats like the old days with sd card butt better then back than "Tascam MODEL 24" Tascam MODEL 16 " then "Tascam MODEL 12" the numbers . i know this was long butt wonted to share this on the new tascam tech hope to get the word out so they keep making the units.

Oh jeez kids ... U must use. Tape type Ii metal cassettes not cheap brown tape ones lol well now you know tdk and better if you only get. 60 min tapes or shorte and turn the speed pitch to max

Is that THE Brian of Old James??

@corybergeronrecordings

6 жыл бұрын

It is indeed, the legend himself!!

Hahahaha that man neva going to post shit in his Life again!!!!

You just to be smarter than the tools you use.

Why are you using normal bias tape? The heads on 4 track machines are biased for type two hi bias tapes only ....llyoure getting shitty sound dude because your using type 1 normal bias tape ....dont do that!

@corybergeronrecordings

4 жыл бұрын

I learned my lesson and bought a TYPE 2 cassette,. Thanks for your feedback! kzread.info/dash/bejne/i4iV1seRgc2nmqw.html

Sounds bad

Whats the deal with everyone trying to sound like a ... james blunt or eddie sheeran imitator? the song sucked.

@corybergeronrecordings

5 ай бұрын

lol

Greetings! I just dug out my 1980's Yamaha MT1X, but seems the play head is stuck, and for some reason a cassette tape was left in there? Any suggestions on getting it to work again, I love old analog machines, and I am wanting to do some analog to digital transfers from a bunch of old MT1X multi-track cassette tapes of mine? "Play" is not working? The Rew & FF works, Stop works, Pause depresses, Record does not depress, but the tape tabs may be out, and I don't want to force-trash anything... does anybody even know how to fix or work on these?