'That Sound' - another factor?

[Tone]

In all the never ending discussions about Hank's early recorded sound we talk about the guitar, pickups, echo units, amps etc, the latest topic being EQ. But one factor that seems to have had litle mention is the actual recording medium/platform. The early recordings were, of course, analogue and done on reel to reel tape. Now we're all using digital equipment which is generally accepted to be cleaner, more clinical and lacking the warmth of tape. So, could this be another reason why many of us struggle?

The H&C and TVS3 units do a great job of tape echo simulation so if that can be done why can't someone come up with a digital recording platform that can emulate a top class reel to reel recorder? Or perhaps there already is one?

Cheers.

Tony

[carl c]

Hi Tony,
Slate Digital has just launched a Virtual tape machine plug in for Mac & Pc.
If emulation is the way to go.
Still how many people can play just like Hank
Regards
Carl

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Tony,
It has already been thought of and there are plugins that emulate tape recording that work quite well.
Regards,
Charlie

[istvan]

:)My friend told me:
you need for Shadows music:
1.The same guitar
2.The same amp
3.Effect from Charlie Hall(at the time was only Alesis Q20 the best)
4.The same strings
5.And Feeling!
Sorry he died,but he had that sound

[cainy]

For me, just listen to the Rapiers play Wonderful Land on Youtube, I think they have the early Hank sound, Brian.

[rjanuarsa]

Hi Tony,

While the equipment is necessary to achieve good early Shads sounds, the missing link is the playing style and techniques which I think is the most important part in the equation. (For example, you have a more compressed and thicker echo tail, if you attack the strings harder, etc)
As far as tape emulations, yes there are a few, Universal Audio has Studer A800 tape machine dsp based plugin which I use, Waves even has EMI Redd desks emulation. All great stuff if you are into computer recording.

My 2 cents.

Regards,
Robby

[rogerbayliss]

There is also a pedal called the Strymon Deco which simulates old style tape recorders x2 and does saturation. It also does chorus and flanging and slapback delays ala old style tape methods.

[Tone]

Thanks for the replies and information. It's interesting to see that there is tape emulation wizardry out there but I'm a bit surprised that it hasn't had more publicity.

Plug ins are no good for me, though because I don't use a computer for recording. Perhaps it's time I did!

Cheers.

Tony

PS I see that this post is my no. 500 so I'm chuffed to have the extra star. What's my next milestone?

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Tony,
500 posts and 4 red stars is the highest default setting. I could add a new one but it would probably confuse everyone! I have no idea why I have 5 red stars unless it is reserved for admin only.
Regards,
Charlie

[Tone]

Hi Charlie.

Thanks for that.

The reason why you've got more stars than anyone else is that obviously everyone agrees you're a SUPERSTAR

Cheers.

Tony

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Tony,
Thanks, but it must apply to George, Bill and Geoff as they have 5 red stars each too!
Regards,
Charlie

[bor64]

Charlie, the number of red strats does that count?

Cheers Rob

[Charlie Hall]

Hi Rob,
As there are more than 5, it should count!
Regards,
Charlie

[bor64]

Well Charlie, I've 7 F red strats and one red Bass VI and also a F red P bass


Cheers Rob

[peterbower]

Good question Tone, I think there are possibly too many factors in the .recipe' some of which you and other members have high lighted. Don't forget that all the recording equipment then was valve, Hank's guitar lead would have been a fairly high 'Loss' lead compared to what we use today, and the famous Abbey road reverb was added to many tracks even though Hank had asked the studio not to add it in to the mix. Its a great and I expect expensive experiment that some have found in their pursuit of That Sound. I have to be honest most people I have heard on this site are pretty d**n close, so stop worrying and save your money. We are probably only searching for that sound to satisfy our own ears, but I suspect in a live gig most of the punters are going to be impressed, especially those who can remember the original recordings.

[garyallen]

Does the period when Hank used the 301 fall into the  "That Sound" category ?    regards  gary

[rjanuarsa]

Jun 13, 2015 17:58:41 GMT peterbower said:

Good question Tone, I think there are possibly too many factors in the .recipe' some of which you and other members have high lighted. Don't forget that all the recording equipment then was valve, Hank's guitar lead would have been a fairly high 'Loss' lead compared to what we use today, and the famous Abbey road reverb was added to many tracks even though Hank had asked the studio not to add it in to the mix. Its a great and I expect expensive experiment that some have found in their pursuit of That Sound. I have to be honest most people I have heard on this site are pretty d**n close, so stop worrying and save your money. We are probably only searching for that sound to satisfy our own ears, but I suspect in a live gig most of the punters are going to be impressed, especially those who can remember the original recordings.

And have fun making music!

Regards,
Robby

[didier]

Jun 13, 2015 19:13:45 GMT garyallen said:

Does the period when Hank used the 301 fall into the  "That Sound" category ?    regards  gary

For most fans, "that sound" refers to Hank's sound from 1960 to 1963, he only user the 301 much later.

Didier

[localhero]

I never thought Hank sounded the way he did in the sixties using the RE 301 but he still sounded d**n good, ever though the echo patterns were not as they were on the recordings from the early sixties.

[garyallen]

I noticed the echo pattern on mode 5 on the 301 is very similar to echomatic 1 settings, I guess this was used on the 89 Album when they re-recorded all their hits again. regards gary