Topic: Retrotaping: Milab VM44 Link > SD Mixpre-D > Sony D6C (Moe. related)

[Popmarter]

Hi guys,

In addition to this thread: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=167564.0

The same night I was able to test out a truly amazing device, the Sony D6C.

Yes, I know... the machine is old, switching tapes it's a hassle, there are hardly any new tapes available, this unit 'costs' a fortune at Ebay, you can't get it fixed.... bla..bla...but boy...a well recorded tape sound so great!

To get things in perspective. I am from the 'post' tape-era. I collected many U2 tapes, but started recording on Minidisc in 2000. I never owned a D6, D3 or whatever portable taperecorder before (not counting a boombox) nor did I ever tape with it before. I do own some nice Nakamichi decks now and this whole analog thing got me a bit two years ago. So, I had planned on getting a D6C, just for the fun of making a analog recording, one day.

It took some time, but after purchasing one defect unit, one working - but used - unit, I finally found a brand 'new' unit. It was sold locally for a bargain, from an old lady. She's probably never used it...the leather case smelled like new. It came with the original headphones (in plastic). The foam just came off after touching it for the first time in 25 (?) years...... 

So I hooked stuff up at Moe.'s concert in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. With taping-permission and the whole balcony to ourselves....you cannot go wrong.  A pair of Milab VM44-Link's powered by a Sound Devices Mixpre-D. The tape-out from the Mix-pre-D was hooked up with the Line-in from the Sony D6C. Some TDK SA90 tapes (new) were involved too.

The result is very nice. Levels were set rather good, some noise on the quiet parts, but in general above my expectations. I did some bad tapeswitches, but well... first time eh  . Thanks to Eric66 and Aaronij for the nice evening!

A sample is on Soundcloud. Transfer Sony D6C > Edirol R44 (line in, +4db (no preamp use) > normalised to -3db.

A direct link to it: https://soundcloud.com/popmarter/milab-vm44-link-sound

Hope you like it,

Popmarter

[Hypnocracy]

Reading this makes me sad my old Sony D5 deck is dead...well just the transport will not pull tape any more...had one since 1989.

FTR I never had problems with the Master Recording on Type II and using Dolby B...It was very listenable...just the added noise from multiple generation copies that deterred the listening experience with cassette tapes...

[acidjack]

The D6 was a great sounding deck. It really made those bassy small omni type mics shine thanks to the natural brightness of analog. I loved mine for the brief period I had it before moving to DAT.