Analogue-only Recording Session: Creating with Limited Tracks!

In the 1960s, studios had 4-track tape recorders, and by 1965, a handful of studios had the new-fangled 8-track recorders, which were hugely expensive.

Taking a listen to Pet Sounds or Sergeant Pepper, and you'll hear many different instruments, far more than four.

How was it done then? Well, here, I record a half-minute tune (drums, bass, two guitars and three backing vocals), using only 4 tracks of my 8-track recorder and another recorder to mix as I go. Bouncing tracks was the only way to add sounds and other instruments, and what has been partly lost is the creativity that has to go with the process.

There's no undo button! Tunes evolved as they were recorded, so no-one really knew what the end result was going to be until they got there!

In my studio is a Fostex R8 from 1988, which cost £1500 then (about £3500 now) and a ReVox A77 from 1973, which cost £270 then (about £3000 now). Using a mic to layer up tracks through a mixing desk, this is a completely analogue session, the only digitising taking place to render it for YouTube!

Enjoy and Share and Subscribe!