For many years Studer has been the pride of the recording industry for capturing tracks.  These two Studer A827s have less than 10,000 combined hours on them.  They are regularly services to ensure peak performance at all times.  I usually run them at 30inches per second (ips) and hit the tape at +9db.  However, I am noticing a cool trend back to 15ips for more tape saturation, bigger bottom, warmer mids and 8 to 9 songs per reel.  There is absolutely no audible noise at 30ips and the fidelity is incredible at both 30 and 15.  The natural compression of tape will never be replace for the artist who demands musical purity.  There are constant attempts to recreate the tape characteristics in the digital domain but IMHO it just does not sound as authentic as the original source should sound, especially on drums and guitar.  For a pro recording, at a bare minimum, I suggest all drums be recorded in the analogue domain and then transferred to the "D word”. 

Here is the Recording Chain for Golden Gate Studios:
1. Nice Live Rooms
2. Great vintage tube mics    
3. Killer mic pres                       
4. Studer A827 at +9 back
5. The Discrete/ClassA Calrec Console

6. Patch into the best analog compression and eq

7. 2 Bus - EMI EQ and Compression 

8. Mix Down to the Ampex ATR ½ tape recorder

We also use the shortest possible signal path with Mogami cabling throughout the stusio to maintain the integrity of your signal.