Workflow Help Needed: DAW + Tape

[tommyzai]

I'm trying to integrate a reel-to-reel tape machine into my workflow to gain compression, warmth, etc (as opposed to using analog emulation plugins). I mostly want to use this on vocals, but maybe also guitar and bass. I'm not sure how I can do this.

How? Any thoughts?

1. I thought about creating a scratch track, then have that playing in my headphones while I record to tape, but then I'd have to record back through my interface onto a DAW track, then manually sync it up.
2. Record a scratch track onto tape, then use sound on sound feature, followed by same steps listed in #1.
3. Record everything to DAW, then record desired tracks to tape and back into DAW. This would be the easiest, but I wonder if going through the AD converter a couple of times would introduce any sonic issues.
4. _____ (other)?

[lfm]

3. AD/DA converters are not all the same. If cheap interface then components surrounding converters will be cheap too. I've been running external DAC's for hifi since early 90's and modified and exchanged all capacitors with astonishing result.

Overall though, I think the procedure over to tape and back change sound more than converters matter. Just take the measures below.

If an interface with only headphones out, I would look at getting an interface with ordinary line outs too.
- and ability to adjust levels out to -10 dBV which is close to what tape machines are made for around 0.3V.
Phones out are cheapest possible chips and the rest, so degradation of sound itself.

I used a reel-to-reel in the 80's and some advice
- clean heads and capstan and stuff in band transport thoroughly
- deflux heads, see to that remaining magnetism in heads are removed, it cumulate over time
- it's a very simple procedure make all the difference if not made for a while
- a defluxer at least used to be rather cheap, $30 or something.
- adjust bias for the very tape brand you are using

Adjusting bias means record 1 kHz sine and 10 kHz sine at the same level.
- play back and they are to be the same level
- adjust bias until this procedure is working, some pot inside or outside depends on machine

This means your frequency response will be as good as it gets for that very tape you are using.
- yes, it's very different each brand and worth the trouble

If any selectors for chrome or metal tape and such, I would do bias without those activated first. It's getting the foundation to/from tape right mostly.
- but if those adaptions does degrade quality, do bias with those activated too according to tape used, all chrome tapes are not made equal

[BertKoor]

I'd go (at least at first) with #3: first record all in your DAW. Maybe add a bit or EQ and gentle compression. Then "bounce" that track to tape and record it back onto a new track in your DAW.

The main reason is that this way you can play with the level at which you record to tape without having to worry about the performance. It would be a waste of a good performance if it's getting ruined because you had set the level too loud or not loud enough.

[jens]

I wonder if going through the AD converter a couple of times would introduce any sonic issues.

Not if it is any good.

[tommyzai]

I wonder if going through the AD converter a couple of times would introduce any sonic issues.

Not if it is any good.

I have an Audient iD14mk2.

[BertKoor]

That's more than good enough for RocknRoll.