Analog Mastering Studio

This is our Analog Mastering Studio. Every professional Mastering Studio should have an Analog Mastering Studio because there are some recording studios and artists who still prefer Analog over digital.

The 4-track reel-to-reel in the picture is a DoKorder 1140 I purchased new in 1977. I have two 1970’s Dokorder tape machines that I use; the other is a ¼ stereo 1120 that I purchased in 1976. I also have a TEAC A2340SX 4-track that I also purchased new in 1976 and it is still in use in the Analog Mastering Studio.

I also have an AKAI 4000 DS MK-II that I purchased new in 1975, but it is not being used in the Mastering Studio but I do use it in my home stereo system to listen to some vintage music that I purchased back in the mid-1970’s because the quality of the music on reel-to-reel back then was much better than quality of the music on cassette. Some vintage music I have on reel-to-reel include Elvis Presley, James Taylor. Carol King, Sound track from Sound of Music, Beatles "Penny Lane, and a lot of Symphony Music and much more.

Reason for the Analog Mastering Studio

There are times when an artist or a recording studio will send us music media that has been recorded on reel-to-reel tape. At Thunder Mastering Studios we do accept this method of receiving music media as long as it has been mixed down to ¼ stereo or 4-track. These tapes may be encoded with Dolby A, Dolby B, Dolby C or DBX type 1 noise reduction or no noise reduction at all. However, we do ask if you do use encoding do not forget to include calibration test tones, a minimum of 30 seconds each at 100, 1K and 10 Khz. If you can provide test tones of 50 Hz and 15 Hz I can dial in the playback EQ a little tighter. Make sure you specify which encoder type you used.

We will also accept music media on Cassette encoded with Dolby A, B or C noise reduction, but again please specify which type of noise reduction you used.

To prevent signal drop out and/or tail-out on the reel-to-reel tape, use a top professional brand name and not a cheap store bought brand, RMGi and 3M are great reel-to-reel tapes with premium high output with no signal loss (Drop out or tail out) to mention a couple and there are more available.

Analog Recording Studio