Satin Frequency Response

[Lucastyle]

I was experimenting with an old cassette player the other day I came to realize that you can clearly hear that tape has a different frequency response depending on the amplitude of the recording signal, when you record at low level the tape has a higher frequency response (12khz to 20khz) depending on your tape deck and it usually get darker when the levels get hotter and so on when you star saturating the tape to distortion.

The low end also has a difference in response depending on the level but when I tried to replicate this effect in satin it seems that satin only has a static frequency response no matter what the amplitude is , why is that?

[sascha]

You might check with Satin manual pages 43 -54, they contain precise measurements for freq. response and distortion. Quite a number of plots because it depends on the 'tape type', the simulated speed and the mechanical properties. Generally, studio-grade and large-format machines have less of the effect you're describing. Losing HF content at low speed and small format is mainly due to fewer particles to magnetize and eddy-current effects (self-erasure). On Satin, you'd experience the most dynamic loss with this combi:
- 'Vntage' tape
- Circuit->Rec/Repro EQ 'Flat'
- Compander 'None'/Mix 0%
- Low speed

A suitable domestic-tape setup could then be like:
- Speed 1.87ips
- Pre-Emphasis 30%
- Gap Width 1.3
- Input Gain -20dB -> check internal freq. plot -> should be almost flat, reduce in HF when higher

You should then encounter a massive drop in HF when you leave Input at 0dB and play with the input source. As the lows are wrapped around the simulated 'head bump' (banded mirror effects), the lows also change with the overall change in harmonics.

[Lucastyle]

You might check with Satin manual pages 43 -54, they contain precise measurements for freq. response and distortion. Quite a number of plots because it depends on the 'tape type', the simulated speed and the mechanical properties. Generally, studio-grade and large-format machines have less of the effect you're describing. Losing HF content at low speed and small format is mainly due to fewer particles to magnetize and eddy-current effects (self-erasure). On Satin, you'd experience the most dynamic loss with this combi:
- 'Vntage' tape
- Circuit->Rec/Repro EQ 'Flat'
- Compander 'None'/Mix 0%
- Low speed

A suitable domestic-tape setup could then be like:
- Speed 1.87ips
- Pre-Emphasis 30%
- Gap Width 1.3
- Input Gain -20dB -> check internal freq. plot -> should be almost flat, reduce in HF when higher

You should then encounter a massive drop in HF when you leave Input at 0dB and play with the input source. As the lows are wrapped around the simulated 'head bump' (banded mirror effects), the lows also change with the overall change in harmonics.

Awesome explanation Sascha , gonna try it immediately.

I there a road map for future improvements of Satin?

Best regards

[Lucastyle]

The problem I get whit these settings is that with the pre emphasis curve set at 30% I get too much high end saturation to the point it sounds brittle when the signal closes -3db but if I turn it down the overall curve is to dark, It gets better with higher tape speeds but then the cassette tape speed effect is lost.

[Hermetech Mastering]

The Dolby and other NR systems were usually non-linear too, not to mention cassette ageing... One cassette recorded on a particular machine with Dolby B, can sound completely wrong on another machine played back with Dolby B, if the calibration is different. Hence the need for notes and calibration tones on pro tape machines.

I don't own Satin but have had good results with the Anaxwaves app when transferring old cassettes to digital recently. I have a lot recorded on a great Aiwa machine in the 90s, but when I play them back on my new machine (also from the 90s but a Denon), things sound "off" when using Dolby NR. The app allows me to experiment with different levels into and out of the Dolby codec for the perfect sound, whilst maintaining the same output level.

http://www.anaxwaves.com/