No Time To Cry (master tape?)

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crass
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hello, I make no excuses for joining just for an answer to my enquiry! But I'm sure someone here can help point me in the right direction..

A pal of mine who has a used record shop in London has come across a 1/4" tape with Sisters of Mercy written on it and No Time To Cry. We don't know the quality cuz he hasn't a 1/4" tape machine - but is it worth anything?

To me, it's a 1/4" master from a recording studio. Personally, I'd like to know where it was recorded. According to my innernet research, it was prolly produced by ex-Gang of Four's Dave Allen. Am I right?

Any thoughts anyone?
cheerz... crass x

:D
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markfiend
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It's probably worth something, aye. I'd imagine there's people willing to pay silly money for a one-of-a-kind Sisters tape like that. What it sounds like is probably a secondary consideration! :lol:
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DocSommer
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markfiend wrote:What it sounds like is probably a secondary consideration! :lol:
:lol: :lol: :lol:

You need to research if that's a simple stereo recording (not much valuable) or a real, more than 2 channel based multitrack recorded studio tape (that could be a treasure).
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crass
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At a guess - consideringthis was pre-DAT days in 85 - this type of format, the 1/4" tape would be the master mix off the desk. This would have gone to the pressing plant i guess.

Over the years I have seen many cases of masters not stored correctly. We used to cover them in foil in a cool, dry atmosphere and nowhere near any speakers - otherwise they demagnify and become useless. With this tape - no one has a tape player to test it's condition. Is there anyone one here around London - Essex perhaps who owns a tape machine that will play this? It might be okay...

So where was this recorded? :eek:
DocSommer wrote:
markfiend wrote:What it sounds like is probably a secondary consideration! :lol:
:lol: :lol: :lol:

You need to research if that's a simple stereo recording (not much valuable) or a real, more than 2 channel based multitrack recorded studio tape (that could be a treasure).
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Quiff Boy
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crass wrote:At a guess - consideringthis was pre-DAT days in 85 - this type of format, the 1/4" tape would be the master mix off the desk. This would have gone to the pressing plant i guess.

Over the years I have seen many cases of masters not stored correctly. We used to cover them in foil in a cool, dry atmosphere and nowhere near any speakers - otherwise they demagnify and become useless. With this tape - no one has a tape player to test it's condition. Is there anyone one here around London - Essex perhaps who owns a tape machine that will play this? It might be okay...

So where was this recorded? :eek:
DocSommer wrote:
markfiend wrote:What it sounds like is probably a secondary consideration! :lol:
:lol: :lol: :lol:

You need to research if that's a simple stereo recording (not much valuable) or a real, more than 2 channel based multitrack recorded studio tape (that could be a treasure).
mr marx might be able to answer thsi one... i'll drop him a line.
What’s the difference between a buffalo and a bison?
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DocSommer
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Well, I did some more research about this 1/4 inch tape stuff and it seems, that this kind of size can only contain 2 channels in a kind of studio quality.
Guess this is not a chance to remix your own sisters single. ;D

Furthermore this tape-size has also been used for semiprofessional or high end home entertainment (e.g. Revox, Telefunken...),
so this also could be just a very simple and homemade vinyl>tape copy.

Another thing is that those tapes aren't sound better over the decades.

I suggest to fake some important look-a-like paper work to prove the authenticity and set the whole thing up to eGay :wink: :wink:
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Karst
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It would have been recorded at Strawberry Studios near Manchester. Place famed for Martin Harnett knobwiddling antics. It was produced by David M. Allen - not the guy from Gang of Four.
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smiscandlon
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Karst wrote:Place famed for Martin Harnett knobwiddling antics.
:lol:
анархия
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James Blast
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Karst wrote:It was produced by David M. Allen - not the guy from the mighty Shriekback.
sorted ;D
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Dan
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DocSommer wrote:Another thing is that those tapes aren't sound better over the decades.
Not correct. I've got a reel-to-reel machine which takes 1/4 inch tape and one time I was given a collection of tapes from the 1950's and 60's. The oldest was recorded in 1952 and was fantastic quality.

How many home-burnt cd's and dvd's will still be playable in 50 years? I'd say not very many.
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DocSommer
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How many home-burnt cd's and dvd's will still be playable in 50 years? I'd say not very many.
thats correct, indeed^^
The oldest was recorded in 1952 and was fantastic quality.
A proper storage can decrease the process of aging but I guess those tapes would sound better just after they got recorded - hard to find out^^
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robertzombie
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Any news on this?
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