Hi Lou,

Glad to hear your still going at 60! Gives me something to live for...

I have to say, though, as much as I love my Deva (I bought one of the  
first, back in '97) and the 788, I still find myself hauling out Ampex  
and Studer tape machines, along with an absolutely outrageously  
overpriced collection of Neumann tube mikes and a Studer console, for  
the music gigs I care about.

Yeah, here is a little speed drift, and a little (very little) noise,  
but I can live with that compared to what I hear from some of the  
digital recordings I've done (even with high-end A/D converters). I  
figure that if I hauled Ampex 351's when I started my career, I can do  
it now (OK, maybe not as fast!). And while there are certainly better  
transports out there, I still love the simplicity of the 351 and MR-70  
audio electronics.

(FYI-Even working in Detroit in the late 1960's, I never needed a  
lummox with a gun, even working downtown, but my C.O. card is looking  
sadly out of date... :)

--Scott D. Smith
(From the conference. Where are you?!)



Quoting Lou Judson <[log in to unmask]>:

> Wow! An offer I can't refuse. Address offlist.
>
> I am proud to brag about the two KKHI techs who had to carry each   
> half of their 351-2 in to the hall, go back for the other half then   
> go back for the mics, power supplies, and Atlas MS25 stands in four   
> trips for our 1966 Youth Orhcesta radio recordings, as I walk in to   
> an orchestral recording with a 744T in a shoulder bag and the mics   
> and 15' mic stand in the other hand…
>
> I think it is wonderful to use old nostalgic recording gear, but   
> personally don't find the sound superior, especially with the speed   
> drift from top to tail of the reel (with anything older than ATRs).   
> I'm nearly 60, yet embrace the best modern technology   
> wholeheartedly! Have those old Ampexes been retrofitted with   
> consatant tension? I like my Studer a lot…
>
> Mind you, I produced over 150 audiobooks on ATR 102s, edited them on
> 440Cs, and have made as many as 3,000 edits with razor blade and #67
> tape in a 3 hour voice program, and I don't miss that tech a bit.
>
> Who's the high end dealer? Has he identified hmself as such? i thought
> he was just an audioph(insert vowels)l. He LIKES those people with more
> money than sense! I like good sound at a reasonable price, as an
> independent audio engineer with more talent than budget.
>
> I'll never hire a lummox, or a person with a gun, and when I can't   
> carry the gear I'll retire to my computer! (registered Concientious   
> Objector, 1972, and a California boy from the start…).
>
> But we are all audio people, and I don't mean any of this as a putdown.
> As I see it we are playing around while everyone else is at the
> conference! ;-)
>
> <L>
> Lou Judson • Intuitive Audio
> 415-883-2689
>
>
> On May 27, 2009, at 6:27 PM, Ken Fritz wrote:
>
>>  Hi Lou,
>>
>>  It's great that a high end dealer contributes to the list. We need  
>>  feedback from those that are retired, in the recording business,   
>> and rely on those that appreciate good music and are willing to pay  
>>  what it takes  to hear good music from great gear.
>>
>>    My 67 years old bones have made a few recordings in Richmond,   
>> Va.  Sue and I hauled my Ampex 351-2, Peluso 2247 SE mikes and   
>> Atlas 11Ft stands to a few venues and are pleased with the   
>> recordings we made, all orchestral at the University Of Richmond.
>>
>>  I've had an Ampex 440 C machine fitted with new Flux MS  heads    
>> that I'll be using instead of the 351. I've been told numerous   
>> times I need to chuck the analog tape machines and go digital.    
>> I've hired a few lummoxes to cart the machines in and around   
>> Richmond and they're all licensed  to carry guns-- needed in   
>> downtown Richmond.
>>
>>  Lou, please send me a shipping address and I'll send you a few   
>> CD'S of the recordings I've made. If you have an RTR machine I'll   
>> spring for a few reels of tape.
>>
>>  Ken