[sdiy] Adding audio channels, to increase S/N

[Magnus Danielson]

From: "phillip m gallo" <philgallo at attglobal.net>
Subject: RE: [sdiy] Adding audio channels, to increase S/N
Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2003 04:03:25 -0700

Phillip,

> Interesting discussion, but i must confess not a technique i ever used or
> saw being used in mag tape studio's.

I have heard it being in use.

> Even at 30 ips on a Scully or Ampex the phase "funnies" from adjacent
> channels would negate any proposed benefit of this technique. Head gaps can
> only be made so precisely (give a 16 or 24 track head a look under high
> power) and wear quickly. Azimuth/zenith, which you set each day helped
> compensate for this but it was always there waiting for you. Also head/tape
> modulation is more coherent across channels than not.
> 
> When decreased recorder generated noise was the goal, over-biasing,
> pre-emphasis, Keepex, Dolby A, and later dBX where the  games we would play.

I agree. All the math-waving of hands is partly lost in the not-so-linear life
of a magnetic tape... it only works quite that well in a real linear systems.

Cheers,
Magnus