Blank Tapes

[Reli]

Funny thing is, no matter what kind of tape I'm playing, I always leave the selector on Normal. The other settings cut the highs too much.

WORD!! You don't know how many times I've put it on 'Metal' for metal bias tapes and have been disappointed, even when I recorded on my 3-head Sony cassette deck. The 'Metal' position has NEVER worked good for me!

I think people say it's more important to use those positions when recording than it is when playing.

 

[MONOLITHIC]

Funny thing is, no matter what kind of tape I'm playing, I always leave the selector on Normal. The other settings cut the highs too much.

WORD!! You don't know how many times I've put it on 'Metal' for metal bias tapes and have been disappointed, even when I recorded on my 3-head Sony cassette deck. The 'Metal' position has NEVER worked good for me!

I think people say it's more important to use those positions when recording than it is when playing.

The Metal position doesn't sound all that good to me for recording either, probably helps to cut back on hiss but the highs get dulled in the process. I'll try agin tho.

 

[MONOLITHIC]

I bought a lot of 3 TDK MA110 Metal bias tapes on eBay for $25... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0807713183 with plans of gutting 'em and throwing the actual tape in 3 of the normal bias reel cassettes I have (love the look, hate the sound), just mostly for display purposes for videos and whatnot.

Hi Mono - Be careful doing this, as the full 110mins of tape probably won't fit properly. Reel tapes typically use larger hubs than the MA110. IMHO, you'll have less frustration (and potentially less waste) using tape out of a metal C-60 to make yourself a better-quality reel tape for demo purposes. And keep those 110's to make some long mixtapes with your favorite tracks for everyday listening.

That's great advice, and believe me, I considered buying tapes with less minutes... In comparison of the other TDK metal tapes being sold, 3 MA110's for $25 seemed like a good deal. Still, I'm gonna do what you said and get smaller minute metal tapes to throw in those reel cassette cases. Thanks!

 

[jaetee]

Check your PM... I can help you out...

 

[MONOLITHIC]

Check your PM... I can help you out...

I'll be waiting for that PM!

 

[Brownlow]

For the most part, my preferences are Maxell, TDK, Fuji and Sony type II and type IV tapes (of which I have plenty) but I've also recently discovered the awesome sound that "super ferric" type I tapes can yield (like the Maxell XLI-S & TDK AD-X). Especially when recorded on a properly serviced and calibrated top-shelf tape deck.

Hi Jaetee, I think the AD-X and XLI-S are capable of equalling some entry level Type II tapes, as you've said if set up on top notch cassette decks. If these two can be had for cheap $$, got to be worth a crack. What do you think?


Cheers

 

[dartbarlow]

Funny thing is, no matter what kind of tape I'm playing, I always leave the selector on Normal. The other settings cut the highs too much.

WORD!! You don't know how many times I've put it on 'Metal' for metal bias tapes and have been disappointed, even when I recorded on my 3-head Sony cassette deck. The 'Metal' position has NEVER worked good for me!

I think people say it's more important to use those positions when recording than it is when playing.

yes, when recording metal the metal selector mest be selected ! and yes not needed during playback ! totally increased highs ! yes !

make sure you set the recording level properly, the whole idea with the metal tape is that it absorbs the signal better at the higher
recording volume without distortion ! so that is why is so good sounding on playback....tape saturation rules !

my settings on my sony 3 head machine are for atleast +6 when i do metal tapes....as i recall ....

and well, your heads need to be clean and demagnetized for best results regardless.
i have found with clean heads and proper recording level even normal bias tapes (from the 1980's/ 80's tapestock) can sound really good
yet nothing compares to a properly recorded Metal tape.

Rock On !