Q Division Studios Revives Analog Tape Week in Cambridge
In September, Q Division Studios in Cambridge, Massachusetts, brought back its "Analog Tape Week" after a break due to the pandemic, enabling musicians to utilize reel-to-reel technology for their recordings. For this special week, the studio, which has been in operation for 40 years, set aside digital equipment. Audio technician Michael Healey prepared the first band’s Studer 827 tape machine. Rafi Sofer, the head engineer since 2000, highlighted the distinct charm and difficulties of analog, remarking, "Tape tears, tape breaks... gone forever." Local group Astral Bitch recorded "Time Will Tell," sharing their enthusiasm for the analog process. With only a few manufacturers of analog tape, which costs around $400 per reel, the studio provided it at no charge. Another Analog Tape Week is scheduled for January.
Key facts
- Q Division Studios in Cambridge, Massachusetts, revived its "Analog Tape Week" after a hiatus since the pandemic.
- The studio used a Studer 827 two-inch, 24-track tape machine, the only one currently in service there.
- Head engineer Rafi Sofer, 53, and audio tech Michael Healey, 32, led the analog recording sessions.
- The band Astral Bitch recorded their song "Time Will Tell" on analog tape during the week.
- A new reel of two-inch analog tape costs about $400, and only a handful of companies still make it.
- Q Division provided rental tape for free to participants.
- Artists like the Pixies, Morphine, and Aimee Mann recorded on analog at Q Division in the early 2000s.
- The studio plans to host another Analog Tape Week in January.
Entities
Artists
- Michael Healey
- Rafi Sofer
- Sam Coren
- Michael Nasawaty
- JC Climent
- Pixies
- Morphine
- Aimee Mann
- The Beatles
- Queen
- Pink Floyd
- The Beach Boys
- Astral Bitch
Institutions
- Q Division Studios
- WBUR
Locations
- Cambridge
- Massachusetts
- United States