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Description
The Ampex ATR 102 is a legendary tape deck that has become a cornerstone in the world of studio recording gear. Revered for its pristine audio quality and reliability, this machine has been the choice of top studios since its inception. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a passionate audiophile, the ATR 102 offers a distinctive sound that analog enthusiasts crave. With its precise tape handling and robust build, it's designed to deliver exceptional fidelity and warmth to your recordings.
As you explore the ATR 102, you'll appreciate its user-friendly interface, which makes it accessible for both newcomers and experienced engineers. The machine's versatility allows it to adapt seamlessly to various recording setups, ensuring it meets your specific needs in any studio environment. The ATR 102 is also known for its meticulous attention to detail, offering a level of sonic accuracy that few can match.
Key Features:
- Precision tape handling for optimal sound reproduction
- Renowned for its clear and warm analog sound
- User-friendly interface for easy operation
- Versatile design suitable for different recording setups
- Reliable build quality for long-term studio use
Product specs
| Brand | Ampex |
| Model | ATR-102 1/2" 2-Track Tape Machine |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1970s |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Recording Gear |
FAQs
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What makes the Ampex ATR-102 a popular choice for mastering studios?
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The Ampex ATR-102 is renowned for its exceptional tape handling and sound quality, providing a warm, analog sound that is highly sought after for mastering applications. Its servo-controlled reel motors ensure smooth operation, making it a reliable choice for professional studios.
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Can the Ampex ATR-102 be used for tracking as well as mastering?
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While the Ampex ATR-102 is primarily designed for mastering due to its precise sound reproduction, it can also be used for tracking to add analog warmth and character to recordings, though it excels in final mix polishing.
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What tape width does the Ampex ATR-102 use?
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The Ampex ATR-102 uses 1/2" tape, which is standard for high-quality two-track mastering, offering superior audio fidelity and dynamic range.
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How does the tape tension system of the Ampex ATR-102 enhance its performance?
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The ATR-102 features a servo-controlled tape tension system that ensures consistent tape speed and tension, minimizing wow and flutter and providing superior sound quality for critical mastering applications.
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Is the Ampex ATR-102 suitable for home studios or only professional environments?
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The Ampex ATR-102 is primarily intended for professional studio environments due to its high precision and cost, but dedicated home studio enthusiasts seeking top-tier analog sound may also find it valuable.
Videos
Universal Audio
Ampex ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder Plug-In Trailer for UAD-2
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ampex Corporation ATR 102.
Use cases and applications
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Owners often place the ATR 102 on the master bus as a finishing touch to fine-tune treble adjustments, crucial for top-down EQ decisions.
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Placing the Ampex ATR-102 before the limiter allows for better transient response and dynamic range, enhancing the tape's natural effect on the mix.
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Some setups utilize the ATR-102 followed by a transparent limiter to manage peaks while preserving the tape's tonal characteristics.
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Features and functionality
Software and compatibility
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On Mac Studio Ultra M1, the ATR 102 can cause latency during mix time, requiring a 512 buffer and removal of effects from the master fader for smoother operation.
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IK Multimedia Tape Machines have high CPU usage due to oversampling, which can be a drawback for users with limited processing power.
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User experience
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The ATR 102 is prone to tape/overload distortion if input/output levels are not carefully managed, highlighting the need for precise level control in mastering sessions.
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Some users prefer the IK Tape 80 for its pleasant transient rounding, despite its propensity to eat headroom on transient-rich material.
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Many users prefer placing the ATR-102 before a limiter to prevent unwanted clipping, maintaining a balance between dynamic control and tape warmth.
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Comparisons
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Owners highlight that while the IK Multimedia Tape Machine 440 offers a compelling alternative, it lacks the unique tonal qualities of the ATR-102.
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A respected mastering engineer found the UAD ATR-102 plugin preferable to the actual hardware more than half the time, underscoring its value in digital setups.
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Cupwise Cupreels is noted as a potential replacement for the ATR-102 for Nebula users, although it may not fully replicate the ATR-102's distinct sound.
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Historically, the ATR-102 would be the final stage in mixing, but digital setups often require a limiter last to prevent digital overs.
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Artist usage
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At 2:55 in the video, we see Steve explaining what he uses for his stereo mix-down. We see that he uses an Ampex ATR-102.
Used for the mixdown of Mule Variations, as stated by producer Jacquire King in this interview from issue 9 of Audio Technology Magazine.
As a result of using these various room mics, King sometimes ended up with a full 24-track, which meant that choices had to be made upon which room mics to use. The 24-track that was used was a late ‘70s Studer A80 MkIII, with BASF 900 tape, no Dolby, 30ips, recorded at +6, "hit very hard, which gives more tape compression". The album was mixed to analogue, an Ampex ATR102, on a half-inch tape running at 30ips, without Dolby.
"We are hitting tape a little bit to get some nice saturation. It’s a big part of the sound. We cut it all at 15 ips, a little slower than 30 ips, which makes a little bit of tape hiss, but I usually like the hiss. The machine we used is a ½-inch Ampex ATR 102. Sometimes a Studer, but mostly half inch mastering machines were what we were tracking into on the way in, harvesting that sound coming into the computer."
— Dave Tozer, executive producer of Love in the Future
James Petralli of White Denim utilized the Ampex ATR 102 during the production of their 2019 album, Side Effects. This detail is corroborated by Jim Vollentine, one of the sound engineers who collaborated in the production of the album and who's the co-owner of Coil Audio, in a discussion on Gearspace forum. Vollentine, who worked closely with White Denim in the Radio Milk studio, provided a comprehensive list of the recording equipment used for the album, explicitly mentioning the Ampex ATR 102 among the gear.
In a 2013 AudioTechnology article, Manny Marroquin mentions using an Ampex ATR-102 with one-inch tape for a tape delay effect on lead vocals:
"There were similar effects on Mike’s vocals. I also printed Chester’s lead vocals to an Ampex ATR-102 with one-inch tape for a tape delay effect, and brought it back into the session, which is why it has the Time Delay plug-in on it. In addition, I have the Brigadier pedal on some backing vocals, and I set up a reverb and two delay effect tracks in ProTools, using the Reverb One and Waves Super Tap delay. I had these effects mainly on the vocals."
From 1985 Sound on Sound interview, which describe his studio (Havoc House).
The control room is dominated by the monitor array of four Tannoy HPD drivers in huge enclosures set each side of the console tape machines; an early Studer A80 16 track and an Ampex ATR 102 (the half-inch version of the ATR 100). Other machines sit on shelves - cassette recorders and a bank of Sony F1 chargers, processors and recorders.
Album Usage
The Ampex Corporation ATR 102 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ampex Corporation ATR 102, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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