Re: Reel to reel quality

[Geoff Smith <geoff.smith15@btopenworld.com>]

> 
> In one large step backwards, I recently took the plunge and purchased an 
>Otari
> 8 track

Me too I use a tascam 8track reel-to reel because I got sick of the site of
my computer. The creative reasons for using a reel to reel are quite
compelling too, especially as u can use the insert function from a
footswitch!!!!!!!
One of the reasons I became so interested in the edp was because it offers
me the options I like that are associated with sequencers, combine it with
the reel to reel and i don't need my computer.
For the record my computer has pro-tools 6 and digital performer 2.7
but I prefer the reel to reel and my echoplex's
ohhh yeah and i use ampex 456 tape an dit sounds phat!
Geoff 



> ($14,000 a decade or two ago, nowadays cheaper than recording software)  
>I'm
> looking to purchase
> some blank tape for it, both for professional recording and also for 
>recording
> rehearsals.  I've
> been looking at Ampex/Quantgy 456 just because I know it's an industry
> standard.  So two
> questions:
> 
> 1)  Is 456 really the way to go?  Or are there other high quality tapes 
>out
> there that would
> serve me well?  Does it depend on the application?  I'm recording mostly
> electronic music along
> with a fair amount of musique concrete.  By electronic music, I mean 
>modern
> day synths and analog
> and digital processors.
> 
> 2)  On eBay there are many auctions for used tape that has been bulk
> demagnitized as well as
> "new" tape that is several years or decades old.  I am aware of the 
>difference
> in quality between
> virgin and demagnitized tape, and I am also aware of 25 year old tape 
>starting
> to delaminate or
> have the oxide coating come off as you play it.  The questions are: How 
>old
> can "new" tape be for
> it to still be viable (assuming good storage conditions), and Does used 
>tape
> degrade faster once
> it's been run through the machine and then put into storage for many 
>years?
> 
> I'm looking for both 1/4" and 1/2" reels (10.5")
> 
> Any specific advice would be welcome and especially any links to 
>websites that
> contain more
> info.
> 
> TIA,
> 
> Stephen
> 
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