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Hey Steve/Ken:

TOUCHE! I got this info straight from the Reference Recording folks. The two titles I cited were 
indeed recorded both to tape and digitally. All the high-rez stuff (ie non-CD versions) are 
transfers from the tapes. So your investment is safe, your tape is indeed all-analog. The Reference 
folks said those two titles are the only titles at HDTracks that are sourced from analog. They also 
said the recordings in recent years have been all-digital, 176.4kHz sampling rate, 24-bit 
resolution.

Keith Johnson's tape deck is nearly hiss-free. I have the 96/24 download from HDTracks of the Exotic 
Overtures album and I'd have sworn it was all-digital. Like I said, it's what you learn AFTER you 
know it all that counts! Color me schooled.

-- Tom Fine

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "carlstephen koto" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 11:33 PM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] One Inch, two track master tapes- 15 or 30 IPS


Hi Tom,

>
> I assume you and Steve know that TP-007, Eiji Oue/Minnesota  Orchestra: Exotic Dances from the 
> Opera, is a digital recording  originally. It's available as a 24/96 download at Chesky's 
> HDTracks, and was originally issued as a HDCD Compact Disc. I think  Johnson's original recording 
> was 192/24 PCM, but this might date  from before he used the super-high sampling rate.

Actually when Keith does most of his Reference Recordings he records
to digital and his focus gap tape machine. When the Tape Projects
running masters are made the original recording is played back on
that very machine (Keith and Paul Stubblebine are old friends and
have worked on a number of project together). The running master is
made on the 1" ATR and then played back with the 1200 which is linked
to 4 ATR 1/4" machines which make the Tape Project tapes that we
receive. I can understand the confusion and we've told folks that try
to compare the two recordings that it really isn't a fair comparison
since they weren't made from the same original recording.
>
> I think TP-003, Arnold/London Philharmonic Orchestra: Arnold  Overtures, is also an 
> originally-digital recording. Arnold is also  available as a 96/24 download from HDTracks.
>
> -- Tom Fine
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ken Fritz"  <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2009 9:05 PM
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] One Inch, two track master tapes- 15 or 30 IPS
>
>
>   Hi Steve, "Ironbut,"
>
>   I'm  working my way down on the replies to the 1 inch 2 track ATR
> posting I sent a day or two ago.
>
>   I met Mike , Bette and Bill two years ago when I signed up for a
> class on ATR 101. It was a 5 hour trip from Richmond ,Va. so I drove
> up the night before. Everything went wrong. My F350  had a low tire
> when I left the hotel to drive to ATR Services. I went the wrong way
> on the interstate and drove to ATR on an almost flat tire. I was over
> dressed and ,due to the excitement, my Mitchum  broke down. ---:-)
>
>   I picked up my ATR 102 about a year ago and soon after one came up
> on ebay. Legacy Studios in Manhattan. Pick up only , no shipping. I
> was the only bidder at $2400. An ATR 104 with multiple head blocks,
> power supplies and audio cards. It was purchased from Mike Spitz a
> few  years earlier and never used as the Legacy tech knew  Studer
> machines and not ATR's .
>
>   The last ATR machine came available a month ago. An ATR 1-2 with
> Aria electronics and an extra 1/4 inch head  block with 20 hours of
> use. The devil made me buy it--
>
>   The Precision Motor Works machine that mates the MR 70 electronics
> to an ATR  is a beauty, I hope to hear one some day.
>
>   I spoke with Momma Doc today about  the possibility of asking
> Paul Stubblebine if he'd be willing to supply a transfer of a tape
> project  issue on 1 inch tape. I hope to hear from him soon .
>
>   If I had a choice of a 1 inch transfer it would be TP 05, 07 or
> any of the full scale classical titles they offer.  Personally, I
> don't see the value of spending  $$ on a transfer with a limited
> number of instruments. Spend the $$ and listen to a musical works
> that tax a playback system with dynamics that can only be replicated
> with a full symphony  orchestra, my thoughts- I may be wrong.
>
>   Steve, thanks for the reply from a TTP member, you put your money
> where your mouth is.
>
>   Ken Fritz
>
> On May 27, 2009, at 7:55 PM, carlstephen koto wrote:
>
>> Hey Ken,
>>
>> I recall that you live near and have visited Mike Spitz at ATR   Services (I remember you took 
>> his alignment class a few years   back). I would assume that you either purchased your 1" ATR 
>> from   him or have had him service it. As a couple of folks have said,  it  could very well be 
>> the ultimate solid state mastering machine.  I  know that some studios such as Fantasy did do 
>> 1/2" 2 tracks (I  have  a Dexter Gordon from them) but I don't know of any golden  age  studios 
>> that used them. Aside from Mike, MTR Precision Motor  Works  also used to set up 1" 2 track 
>> mastering machines.  You may  want to  contact them both and contact the studios that purchased 
>> these  machines and perhaps you can strike a deal to at least hear  these  masters.
>> http://www.precisionmotorworks.com/atr100.htm
>>
>> Regarding the Tape Project, I'm sure you know that Paul   (Stubblebine) has two 1" 2 track 
>> machines that are used in the   production of our tapes. One is an ATR with Tim de Paravicini's 
>> custom electronics while the other is an MM1200 with MR70   electronics ( I believe that Mike 
>> Spitz set this machine up when  he  was still located in San Mateo). I'm sure you could 
>> commission  a  couple of custom tapes to be produced for you . I would hurry   though. They have 
>> purchased the rights to produce a limited  number  of releases and I would certainly try and get 
>> a 1" copy of  "Waltz  for Debby" and "Saxophone Colossus"  if I were you (they'd  be as  close to 
>> exact duplicates of the master as you'd ever get).
>>
>> Steve Koto
>> On May 26, 2009, at 7:58 PM, Ken Fritz wrote:
>>
>>>   Hi Lou,
>>>
>>>   I'm a subscriber to TTP and appreciate the quality that tape   delivers.
>>>
>>>   I'm hoping to find a few listers that have studio tapes from   groups that never made the big 
>>> time but cut great sounding  tapes.  I've managed to purchase tapes from  now defunct studios 
>>> in Memphis and LA but all are 1/4 or 1/2 inch two track at i5 or  30  ips. I'm hoping to find a 
>>> few 1 inch two track tapes if  they're  out there.
>>>
>>>   thanks for the reply, Ken Fritz
>>> On May 26, 2009, at 9:04 PM, Lou Judson wrote:
>>>
>>>> No Beatles on on inch 2 track as far as I know.
>>>>
>>>> But you can probably pay these guys to make you some tapes to   play on your new toy:
>>>>
>>>> <http://www.tapeproject.com/>
>>>>
>>>> Worth asking anyway!
>>>>
>>>> <L>
>>>> Lou Judson � Intuitive Audio
>>>> 415-883-2689
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On May 26, 2009, at 5:43 PM, Ken Fritz wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>   Hi Listers,
>>>>>
>>>>>     I'm probably one of the few on the list that is an "   Audiophile." That translates to 
>>>>> "Music is fun and not a   business."  "Thank God" might be the next phrase  but since my 
>>>>> business supplies tooling to those that manufacture solid   surface and cast marble to the 
>>>>> construction industry I think   we're both in the same boat. To the point!
>>>>>
>>>>>  Analog tape is where the great recordings started and I'm   keeping it going by filling my 
>>>>> home with around 20  or so  analog  RTR machines. I belong to an audio group in Richmond  Va. 
>>>>> and they all marvel at the sound of tape. I just bought a  one inch  two track ATR and have 
>>>>> nothing to play on it. I feel  like I just  bought a tuxedo and only have a pair of brown 
>>>>> shoes--- no place  to go!
>>>>>
>>>>>   If anyone out there has a one inch two track tape  that  would  show off what my machine can 
>>>>> do and would CONSIDER  sending it to  me I'd appreciate it. The Genre isn't as  important as 
>>>>> the musical content.  If a lister has a safety  copy of the Beatles,  any recording, I can 
>>>>> send an armed  carrier along with my first  born for insurance-:),  Any and  all costs and 
>>>>> insurance would be  covered, of  course.
>>>>>
>>>>>    any reply will be appreciated,  Ken Fritz
>>>>>
>>>>>