Has anyone/ does anyone mess with tape?

Loren Littlejohn

Lover of all boobage.
Only recently become interested. I'm thinking it's not worth the hastle of having to learn how to repair them.

But I have recently listened to an album that was put through a struder 4" machine as a part of the mastering chain and I was very impressed (they had both with and without examples to listen to).

I do some other stuff that would actually benefit from this, I don't think it would be all that noticeable on heavy stuff (although who knows).
 
I have a tape machine, though I rarely use it anymore (mostly 'cause I sold all my tape a few years back, save for one crappy reel that sat in my basement forever).

It still works fine though; when my heavy band actually starts tracking stuff for real- not demos- we're tempted to give the thing a shot, at least to cut basics to. I have to say we're going for a very, very different production aesthetic than you... ever see on here, really- no autotune, live natural drums (Glyn Johns + some close mics to add some body to the toms), ribbon mic close up and room mics for 'verb on the guitars... Pretty well much the opposite of the norm. Just to have done it, because it was there. If it turns out to be too much of a pain in the dick, we'll go back to straight into the computer.
 
We had to do two tape projects at school and I loved doing them. If tape wasn't so expensive I would consider getting a machine...but tape is so much money these days.
 
We've used a Tascam MTR at school. The analog thing is definitely cool, but it can be a bitch too. Limiting as far as tracks go, unless you have a couple machines, or wanna do a lot of bouncing. I was planning on getting a Tascam DA-88 eventually, probably still will, but that's not really the same as a tape machine, considering the whole digital part of it. If you can find a tape-machine for a decent price, give it a shot, but know the limitations and expenses.