How to Record 1980s Techno Music on Tape
A step by step guide to recording 1980s Techno music using tape recorders.
Introduction
The 1980s was a decade of incredible change in the world of music. New genres were born, existing genres evolved, and technologies that would shape the next few decades were developed. One of the most important new technologies of the 1980s was the compact cassette tape. This format allowed music lovers to create their own mix tapes of their favorite songs, and it also allowed artists to distribute their music without having to go through traditional record labels.
What You’ll Need
In order to record 1980s techno music on tape, you’ll need a few items:
-A cassette tape recorder
-(optional) a microphone
-a blank cassette tape
-a source of 1980s techno music (such as a record player, boom box, or computer)
The Recording Process
Back in the 1980s, techno music was recorded on tape. In order to get the best quality recordings, you need to understand the process and how to properly execute it. Here are the steps you need to take:
1. Choose the right tape recorder. Look for a cassette recorder that has Dolby noise reduction, which will help to reduce hiss and other background noise.
2. Set up your recording space. Make sure you have a quiet room with good acoustics. If possible, hang blankets or other materials around the perimeter of the room to help absorb sound.
3. Place your microphone in the center of the room, at least three feet away from any walls. Use a boom stand to position the microphone so it’s about four inches from your mouth.
4. Connect your microphone to the tape recorder using an XLR cable. If your tape recorder does not have an XLR input, you can use an adapter.
5. Press “Record” and start playing your instrument or singing into the microphone. Try to keep a consistent distance from the mic so there are no sudden changes in volume levels.
6. When you’re finished recording, press “Stop” and rewind the tape so you can listen back to your recording. If you’re satisfied with it, label the cassette and store it in a safe place
Mixing and Mastering
After you have your drums, basslines, and melodies recorded, it is time to start mixing and mastering your tracks. This is where you will make all of the final adjustments to the levels, EQ, and effects of each track before exporting the song as a final WAV or MP3 file.
Assuming that you are using a DAW such as Ableton or Logic, begin by loading all of your recorded tracks into separate audio channels. Once they are all loaded in, you can begin balancing the levels of each track so that they sit well together in the mix. Start with the drums, giving them a level that sits well with the rest of the instruments. Then move on to the bassline and so on until all of the tracks are balanced.
After the levels are balanced, it is time to start EQing each track. This is where you will use a high-pass filter to remove any low-end rumble from tracks like drums and basslines, as well as a low-pass filter to remove any high-end hiss from tracks like cymbals and hi-hats. You will also want to use EQ to shape the overall sound of each instrument, making sure that they all fit together nicely without stepping on each other’s toes frequency-wise.
Finally, you will want to add any desired effects to each track before moving on to exporting the song as a final WAV or MP3 file. For techno music, common effects include reverb (on everything except drums), delay (on lead synth lines and vocal samples), and modulation effects like chorus and phaser (on pretty much anything). Experiment with different amounts and combinations of effects until you find something that sounds good to you.
Conclusion
With the tips in this guide, you should be able to successfully record your own 1980s techno music on tape. Follow these steps and you’ll be able to create your very own cassette tapes of this iconic genre of music.
