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Looper's Delight
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Hi Jim-- Thank you very much for taking the time to expand on some details of one- and two-deck tape looping. I really appreciate it, and next time I see a decent reel-to-reel deck (to pair with my current one) come available, I'll think twice about passing it up! Since you did give me permission to post your e-mail on the list, I'm gonna do it because others here may find it interesting and helpful. Thanks again! -Ken Fletcher On Fri, 21 Nov 1997, Bailey, Jim <baileyj@donmspcn.cmail.southam.ca> wrote: ::: :::I don't know if you've had any other replies besides the one from Bret, :but :::I thought I'd mention a few things that might be somewhat useful, :having :::worked with both kinds of loops for 20+ years (and still doing so!). ::: :::As for the closed-loop, single deck version, unless you can disable the :::erase head, this is really only good for creating a static loop (i.e. :one :::that doesn't change) for a background to other sounds. With the erase :head :::disabled, however, you run the risk of sounds building up until they :become :::undifferentiated goop. Another major sticking point (literally and :::figuratively), is that splice. It does tend to sepatate after a while, :so :::caution should be exercised. ::: :::Regarding the two-deck method: ::: :::(heavy sarcasm mode ON)You want to know about this and DON'T have Eno's :::_Discreet Music_? NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY!!! Rectify this situation :AT :::ONCE!(heavy sarcasm mode OFF) The reason I mention this, is not only :because :::it is one of the best examples of the genre, but also because the liner :::notes contain a diagram of the set-up which is clear enough even on the :::miniaturized CD version. ::: ::: Bret's description was accurate enough, so I won't repeat any of :that, :::but one thing to keep in mind is that no two decks will run at the same :::speed (a feature which Steve Reich took advantage of in some of his :early :::tape pieces). This means that you will have one of two situations :happening :::when the tape is running: If the faster deck is feeding, the tape will :sag :::between the decks until there is a large pile on the floor which could :cause :::problems later; conversely, if the slower deck is feeding, it could :cause :::the tape to stretch (although with most good quality machines this :shouldn't :::be a problem - at least I haven't found it so). If you want to get :really :::fancy, it is possible to control the speed of one machine so that it :matches :::perfectly with the other, although Revox is the only maker I know of :who :::provides such an option (outsice of professional machines, of course), :which :::is probably one of the main reasons Fripp and Eno used them. The :advantage :::of speed matching, besides overcoming the above problems, is that there :is :::less distortion of the signal on playback as well as other anomalies :which :::seem to sneak in, and so the repetitions are cleaner and can last :longer. I :::don't have any of that nifty shit, however, just a couple of Tandbergs, :so :::it's a bit tricky, but also gives some wondeous and unexpected results, :::precisely the reason why I prefer this system. ::: Depending on whether the input signal is mono or stereo, one may :want to :::swap the channels on the return path to the record deck, so that left :goes :::to right and vice versa. This can be especially effective for mono :signals, :::and can be done using the pan controls on a mixer, or simply by :reversing a :::pair of patch cables. ::: To prove how adaptable the system is, I even did some loops using an :::ultra-cheap Sears portable machine for the playback. Very interesting :::results. As for your concerns about damage to the deck from the :::free-spinning reel, it doesn't seem to have had a noticable effect on :my :::machines, although I suppose it could wear out the hub brakes a bit :faster :::than normal. My advice? Definitely go for it if you can snag another :deck! ::: :::Although I'm sending this to you as personal mail, feel free to post it :to :::the list if you like. BTW, sorry about the lack of a formal opening, :but I :::realized that I'd forgotten to save your name along with the address. ::: :::Good luck, and happy looping! ::: :::Jim Bailey :::