Re: open reel deck looping?

["Larry Tremblay" <ltct@concentric.net>]

> A friend of mine uses a couple of reel-to-reels for all his music
> sequencing/recording, he can't afford a sampler and/or computer.
>
Yep, one of the origins of sampling and sequencing, and it still
works great. Sounds better, too, IMHO.

> He sequences by cutting up individual notes and drum hits on the tape, 
>and
> then joins them together into loops. These loops are his sequences.

Does anyone remember the pre-digital era records called Drum Drops?
This series of LP's contained real cheesy studio-recorded drum
tracks of *realdrums* in a variety of styles. They were called
Drum Drops because you basically 'dropped them into the rhythm
track' on tape, building up a complete drum track 2 to 4 measures
at a time, i.e., a sequence of drum samples.

> To keep things in time he draws a graph on a piece of paper so that he
> knows how long each note/beat/sequence/etc. should be, showing him where
to
> cut the tape.
>
> His reel-to-reel has an old telescopic radio antenna attached to the
front,
> with something on top of the antenna for the tape to 'roll' over, and he
> extends the antenna upwards to hold the loop tight.
>
> He runs these loops on a two track reel-to-reel and then records them 
>onto
> a 4 track reel-to-reel to allow layering/multi-tracking of multiple
> loops/sequences.
>
> He has 'racks' on the wall with all his tape loops hanging on them.
>
> Total lo-fi sampling/looping, it's really amazing what he does with it.
>
> It really gives a loose feel, seemingly more 'organic' and 'real' than
> computer based sequencing.
>

I agree. Tape is still one of the most rewarding, if time consuming,
methods of looping and sampling. Some things are actually easier
to do with tape.

- Larry T
>
>
>
> >You an use any reel to reel for looping. The Revox is
> >just a *nice to have* for it's simplicity and quality.
> >
> >I still prefer the sound and tactile simplicity of analog
> >looping over digital.
> >
> >Gino wong - who's an LD member - sent me a spare loop arm
> >he had lying around which is very useful for setting up
> >loops of varying length. I imagine these can be salvaged
> >from broken recorders.
> >
> >Check the archives under "loop arm". November 1999, I
> >think.
> >
> >BTW, Gino - I figured out the mic clip thing for holding
> >the loop arm. Works like a charm! I have a few new ideas for
> >an adjustable tapeloop device based on David Keane's excellent
> >book, "Tape Music Composition" (1980).
> >
> >- Larry
> >
> >> anyone?
> >>
> >> i just inherited a fostex model 20 1/4" open reel deck. looping tool 
>or
> >> bookend? (it looks nice enough, and i've got  room in my studio to 
>have
it
> >> just sit there, but if i could make it earn its keep somehow when i 'm
> >tired
> >> of checking the edp faqs for simple answers to stupid questions, it
would
> >be
> >> nice).
> >>
> >> (just don't say "well, if it was a revox...")
> >>
> >> lance g.
> >>
> >>
>
>
>
>