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(not a deal) T-RackS Tascam Tape Collection now available


Peter - IK Multimedia

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October 12, 2021 - IK Multimedia is pleased to announce the T-RackS TASCAM Tape Collection, a collection of AAX, VST and AU plug-ins for mixing and mastering. The new T-RackS TASCAM Tape Collection draws upon the strengths of four meticulously restored TASCAM analog recording systems long recognized for their glorious tone and other audible hallmarks.

Developed with IK's award-winning modeling technology and in direct collaboration with TASCAM themselves, the result of this coordinated effort allows musicians to introduce the warmth and classic characteristics of some of the finest analog recorders into today's digital recordings—ultimately delivering the best of both worlds.

Officially certified models

The TASCAM Tape Collection offers 4 iconic analog tape machines:

The TEAC A-6100 MKII, an upgraded version of the original mastering recorder first released in 1973 and still much sought-after today for adding tape warmth and color to recordings.

The TEAC A-3340S, released in the early '70s, is the deck behind many famous song demos, and even whole albums made by some of the most influential rock bands ever.

The TASCAM 388, released in 1985, combines an 8-channel mixing console and an 8-track tape machine in one. Hugely successful, and still fetching high prices today, the 388 is revered for its warm and evocative sound.

The cassette-tape-based TASCAM PORTA ONE MINISTUDIO from 1984 was TASCAM's best-selling PORTASTUDIO, introducing thousands of musicians to the joys of home recording. Even today, the PORTA ONE remains popular for creating "lo-fi" sounds, creative experiments and even live performance.

A true collaboration

From the onset of this project, IK Multimedia and TASCAM agreed that the goal was to create authentic TEAC and TASCAM tape tone. To that end, TASCAM selected the specific unit of each model, each fully rebuilt and meticulously calibrated. And for even greater accuracy, TASCAM provided information about the analog tape these systems were biased for.

Davide Barbi, IK Multimedia's Chief Technology Officer, commented on the new T-RackS TASCAM Tape Collection, "Since the onset of digital recording, musicians and engineers have been wanting an easy, seamless way to introduce the unique tonal characteristics of analog sound into the contemporary DAW environment. Our new T-RackS TASCAM Tape Collection does just that—with the accuracy, warmth, and subtle idiosyncrasies that made analog so special to begin with. Together with TASCAM, we have created a special set of tools that, I believe, have the ability to inject a new level of authenticity and vibrancy into a wide range of music and other recording efforts."

Comprehensive controls

Each TASCAM tape machine module offers common controls such as input and output levels, selectable input and reproduction audio paths, and a carefully chosen selection of recommended and classic tape formulations—each with its own unique sonic character. A physically modeled alignment section lets users go beyond the regular audio alignment of the machines to experiment with the effect of different bias levels, recording levels to tape, and recording and playback EQs.

Additionally, IK Multimedia's modeling team has included two popular features from IK's Tape Machine collection. The Transport Modeling function accurately reproduces the small inaccuracies of the tape position in front of the head for incredible life-like performance, while True Stereo operation provides a perfect recreation of the stereo image effect produced by subtle differences that inevitably exist between the left and right channels on an analog machine.

The T-RackS TASCAM Tape Collection offers two ways to work: as a stand-alone AAX, VST2/3 and Audio Units plug-in, or inside the T-RackS 5 shell. Use these together with any of the other 48 T-RackS processors to mix and master faster than ever—creating a powerful, lightning-fast workflow.

Pricing and availability

The T-RackS TASCAM Tape Collection is available for purchase from the IK Multimedia online store and from IK authorized dealers worldwide at a special limited-time introductory price of $/€129.99* (reg. $/€199.99). The four included individual TASCAM tape machines can also be purchased separately for a limited-time introductory price of $/€79.99* (reg. $/€99.99).

For more information, please visit: www.ikmultimedia.com/tascam

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isn't nostalgia wonderful  -  I seem to remember that we were desperate to get recordings that DIDN'T sound like they were recorded on a Porta-One.

Even the 3340/3440 weren't exactly amazing - aimed at the budget end of the market .........

 

 

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58 minutes ago, simon said:

isn't nostalgia wonderful  -  I seem to remember that we were desperate to get recordings that DIDN'T sound like they were recorded on a Porta-One.

Even the 3340/3440 weren't exactly amazing - aimed at the budget end of the market .........

 

 

Depends on style , for LoFi hip hop it was and is a classic as the SP 404 , Emu sp 1200 ect ....

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Just now, simon said:

I'd put the porta-one in different category than those but hey :)

 

You're free to do so homie ;) , in fact i can't enumarte stuff i bougth just for sounds , for exemple i had a vs1680 (if i recall well the name) just for the superb built in fx , the sp was exellent also in that regards and that's even why i went roland cloud cause all those superb fx are there (the one i love and you should try is the Lofi comp either in the FX plugin or the zenology synth  , it's taking from the SP fx ;) and fantom if i'm not mistaken ... , superb on everything)

 

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17 minutes ago, telecode 101 said:

i had a real porta studio as well one .. it burnt

but i am truly curious.. who gets more money out of this deal? Tascam for allowing their name to be used or IKM for promoting Tascam?

 

Typically both.  Which is why we have such a roster already, it was really Orange who best realized (both literally and figuratively) that having their gear modeled is definitely beneficial and we were the choice to do so.  MESA as well and they were very particular as well.

Please note that while I'm sure it is unintentional, phrasing it like "allowing their name to be used" can sound quite insulting and is definitely inaccurate.  We don't work with companies that just want to slap their name on something for a few bucks.  We don't create the models we do by having a company say "we'll just send some schematics" either.  It is always a partnership and the companies involved need to be fully involved and the pickier they are the better.  We've been lucky with that last part, might say unlucky in some ways but the effort is worth it :)

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6 minutes ago, Fleer said:

I’d give my X-pedals for these Tapes anytime. 

I thought X-Gear series is meant to be Amplitube in a box. Having a software version of a hardware version of the original software version is kind of gimmicky to me. No offense intended.

As for tape machine emulators, I genuinely tried to find a place for them in my workflow, but eventually had to give up. Can't see any benefit of mimicking tape style signal degradation.

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