Who still uses a 1" 8 track or 2" 16/24 track?

[24 track]

@24 track ...
All that is super cool and it's probably quicker out of the gate to get the lo-fi and freaky vibe/tone via tape, but you can "do" all that with software and a DAW and of course some creative thinking. But it probably would take longer and not be as fun.

An analog to that (pun intended) would be that sure, I can play 15 solos and edit the good parts together ITB, but it's just faster for me to work on playing a 'good one' and then nail it in one (or two) takes.
I get where you're coming from. You're obviously passionate about the gestalt of the whole process. I say "bravo to you sir!"

that is why I said its a matter of perspective , and learning to do this manually gives the insight to recreate this digitally , that is what is missing with todays engineering skills. BTW not all of this was LoFi in one case i was using studer machines and some of this would be difficult to reproduce digitally .it just worked very well in the tape realm

some thing I will add to the digital side of this perspective is the use of melodyne a fantastic program that allows you to record say a guitar audio track turn it into a midi track edit the midi track and then control a synth or other instrument using the same phrasing as the guitar , excellant bit of digital engineering , this also works for vocals , possibilities are endless if you just think about the end results you need, and not be limited by tour own imagination.

 

[Skully]

Well, enough that maramachines.com exists, tape is being manufactured, and tape op magazine exists. Tape op isn't exclusively about analog recording, but it's one place I regularly read about people still recording on tape. I listen to at least four recording podcasts where the subject comes up regularly during interviews.
Off the top of my head, Steve Albini famously only records on tape at Electrical. Gabriel Ross records all the Daptone Records stuff on 8 track tape. Blackbird in Nashville offers multiple tape formats. Larry Crane and Johnny Sangster in the PNW still work with tape. Dan Auerbach. Jack White. Jeff Tweedy. Tiny Telephone in Oakland has a 24 track 2" Studer, which I think is what's in the Wilco Loft too.
I'm probably missing some big ones

So... a handful of notable people.

 

[bottlenecker]

So... a handful of notable people.

No. I don't think your characterization makes any sense. I also don't care to discuss with you further.

 

[Maguchi]

I keep (insanely) lusting for one in the home setup. I think I'm trying to recreate the past days of pure "wow" factor and "getting down to business". But compared to my current (killer) computer setup, it really doesn't make sense. I mean, my 1/2 track is still " in storage" with the pinch roller slowly rotting away.
But still....to have a 24 track and auto locater eat up valuable floor space....c'mon now!!

I recorded with 8, 16 and 24 track magnetic tape up until about 2000. It was great for its time, and if I had an engineer and the funds to do all the adjusting, cleaning, repair and maintenance I'd do it again. Tape really does sound good. Digital recording has really come a long way and apart from the learning curve it really is easier

 

[studio]

Why does every thread about analog gear end up in a bar fight?

No one has mentioned using an old 4 track R2R just for it's preamps.
There's a bunch of old synths still being used that could benefit
from some vintage pre on a Reel machine!

Heck, you don't even have to run a reel of tape to get the machine's
character out of it!

The studio here in LA that I interned at (mid 80's) has a beautiful Harrison desk
along with a 2 inch 24 track tape machine and 2 track.
The engineer was worth his weight in gold and every Latin artist at
the time worked in that studio.

But alas, it wasn't until the digital era came and everyone got their feet wet
in it and finally married to ITB or a hybrid combo, did that studio earn
it's 2 Grammy awards in recent years.

Yes, that wonderful Harrison is still there, being the trusty companion
to an ever increasing HD of plugins and tools. Thanks.