While other studios might only use "modeled emulators" for their "plugins" - I've often preferred instead to use the real deal, whether tube, transformer or tape, whenever the coloration of these has been desired. While it's super rare that I do layback to tape, for this album of contemporary afrobeat I did last week, where the client name checked the likes of Fela Kuti, Antibalas, along with some albums I did for the likes of Budos Band, Sharon Jones, and St. Paul & The Broken Bones, as the vibe they were wanting for their digital mixes - recording their tracks first onto 1/4" 15ips 2-track analog reel via my Otari MX5050-B2 has been just the thing to bring out some sweet sounding grime, saturation & punch that works perfectly for their goals. Shout out to local South Austin tech Tim Allen for getting this machine purring recently. And for any out there looking for a similar funkification of their mixes, give me a holla.
Radio 1190 Playlist
Steven Berson
The Colorado Sound Playlist