8 track reels to mixer/PC

MarkLP

MarkLP

MarkLP

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Hello,

Looking to convert some of my dads reel to reel recordings to digital and I'm after some help on equipment I'd need.

They'll be playing from a Fostex E8 - 8 separate phono outputs. Ideally I'd like to pass through the 8 channels to the PC software (Audition/Audacity) and record them individually then mix down within the software to stereo. That way I could have individual files for guitar, vocal, etc.

Is there anything out there suitable for this? I was thinking of a USB soundcard or similar with 8 inputs but not sure if something like that is available. Alternatively I guess some form of USB mixer with 8 channels but then I would only be able to have a mix down digital version.

Thanks
 
I used to have the Fostex A8 back in the 80's.

I don't know if there is an interface to take those 8 outputs into separate tracks but you would need a DAW to record 8 separate tracks at once such as Sonar.
If you recorded 8 separate WAV files you would still need a DAW to put it together.
 
I've been doing some searching on this and came across the Tascam US-16x08 I 'think' this should record the 8 separate channels http://tascam.com/product/us-16x08/

I was looking at Sonar and Cubase, they don't see too expensive. I have around 25 reels to transfer over and re-master!
 
MarkLP said:
I've been doing some searching on this and came across the Tascam US-16x08 I 'think' this should record the 8 separate channels http://tascam.com/product/us-16x08/

I was looking at Sonar and Cubase, they don't see too expensive. I have around 25 reels to transfer over and re-master!
Click to expand...

That does look like it will do the job.
You must be serious if you want to transfer your Dads music and remix it.
Is he still living and what kind of stuff did he record?

My Dad is 80 and still records stuff virtually every day but he uses a Zoom 1608.
 
Yes he is still living. He was a professional singer/guitarist for 35 years and used to make tapes/CDs to sell when he was performing. The CDs are fine as they are good quality unfortunately the tapes aren't and digitising them isn't really working well enough to get s good sound. So hopefully going back to the original reel to reels I'll have something better to work from.

Although I've been researching and calling today and it seems my plans will have to change as it doesn't look as if the E8 can be repaired. Looks like I may have to get them digitised by a company instead.
 
MarkLP said:
Yes he is still living. He was a professional singer/guitarist for 35 years and used to make tapes/CDs to sell when he was performing. The CDs are fine as they are good quality unfortunately the tapes aren't and digitising them isn't really working well enough to get s good sound. So hopefully going back to the original reel to reels I'll have something better to work from.

Although I've been researching and calling today and it seems my plans will have to change as it doesn't look as if the E8 can be repaired. Looks like I may have to get them digitised by a company instead.
Click to expand...

I took my A8 down to the tip when that couldn't be repaired.
Getting a company to digitize them will probably cost you an arm and a leg, have you thought about buying a second hand E8?
There are a few on eBay.
 
I've rang a company which does the conversion and have been quoted £30 per reel which includes tape baking if required.

Had a quick look on eBay can only see one which isn't working properly :(
 
Hi Mark.
What's wrong with the Fostex E8?
What is not working on it?

Any USB audio interface with 8 line inputs would do the job for you
I've got one of those Tascams at home, or something similar - pity you don't live nearby - you could borrow it.
One of your dad's musician mates may well have an i.o. box you can borrow - you don't have to worry about the mic pre-amps as you're not using them, so any which has 8 line inputs.

You'll need a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
Tracktion 4 is free to download now and will do the job and is fairly simple - instead of paying for cubase etc.
Harrison Mixbus is another alternative ($79) - it has a more analogue sound which would suit your tapes and is based on their $1m mixing desks - I have both.
 
I would imagine any 8 track interface would come with a free version of Cubase or something similar.
 
APM said:
I would imagine any 8 track interface would come with a free version of Cubase or something similar.
Click to expand...
Some of the cheaper ones do, they come with a limited version, usually cubase LE or ableton lite, which would be fine for his needs.
But he needs 8 line inputs, so at least something like a focusrite 18i8 (£249); the Tascam would probably be easier to use and cheaper second hand using free software like Tracktion 4.
Better just to borrow one, if it's only for this project.
 
stuartharrison said:
Hi Mark.
What's wrong with the Fostex E8?
What is not working on it?

Any USB audio interface with 8 line inputs would do the job for you
I've got one of those Tascams at home, or something similar - pity you don't live nearby - you could borrow it.
One of your dad's musician mates may well have an i.o. box you can borrow - you don't have to worry about the mic pre-amps as you're not using them, so any which has 8 line inputs.

You'll need a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
Tracktion 4 is free to download now and will do the job and is fairly simple - instead of paying for cubase etc.
Harrison Mixbus is another alternative ($79) - it has a more analogue sound which would suit your tapes and is based on their $1m mixing desks - I have both.
Click to expand...


E8 heads are worn and I think the brakes are stuck on or something is stuck inside :(

Will have a look into the DAW options and see which looks best.

After speaking to a company which will do the conversions it has slightly got my concerned about trying to do it myself as they said the Ampex 456 reels are renowned for gumming up and would probably need baking before copying them. To be honest they should be in fairly good condition, they were only ever recorded on once and only on alternative tracks 1,3,5 etc. Dad said he used to bounce tracks quite often too.
 
Focusrite 2i2 and track them in one at a time then use the DAW to sync them up and do what you want with after?
 
In other words the tracks won't be lined up properly because people naturally play & sing all over the place, on the beat, behind the beat and in front of the beat.

Add to that the logistics of recording the tapes.
My reel to reels were around 22 mins long (I think) so you would have to run the tape for 22 mins while you record the first 2 tracks.
Then run the tape again while you record the second two and so on ...........
Then you would have to cut all the tracks up and piece them together.
Done the proper way you could record all 8 tracks of song 1, name it and continue with song 2.
 
SexyGreyFox said:
In other words the tracks won't be lined up properly because people naturally play & sing all over the place, on the beat, behind the beat and in front of the beat.

Add to that the logistics of recording the tapes.
My reel to reels were around 22 mins long (I think) so you would have to run the tape for 22 mins while you record the first 2 tracks.
Then run the tape again while you record the second two and so on ...........
Then you would have to cut all the tracks up and piece them together.
Done the proper way you could record all 8 tracks of song 1, name it and continue with song 2.
Click to expand...

I tried this with and old 4 track cassette I had of a recording I made when I was 17

Recently I recorded each track into my Daw in the studio only 4 :p

Then attempted to move each track About and rebuild the song...I could never get the feel of the original 4 track...the solo was never right ...

The only way was to press play on the 4 track and record all tracks into the DAW at once on individual tracks...

I could the EQ and mix as necessary...

I have no idea why I thought it would be easier to do each track on its own rewinding the tape each time...I spent hours faffing and could have done it much easier ...I was just short of two cables at the time...
 
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