RMG Tape

[technoplayer]

There is a guy local here selling some RMG Studiomaster 911 tape. I am not familiar with this. The website looks like it from Germany. Any heads up on this stuff?? Thanks

[jpmorris]

Essentially it's a new run of BASF 911. The stuff is actually being made in the Netherlands. SM911 is 456-equivalent, SM900 is 499-equivalent.

*EDIT*
See: http://www.rmgi.nl/

*EDIT EDIT*

What that heck is SM912? That wasn't there before!

[_DK]

912 is a 911 for slow speed recording... Hmm... Who would need this nowadays??

[themaddog]

According to the website, it looks like it is derived from SM911, but is meant specifically for low-speed machines (7.5 and 3.75 ips).

http://www.rmgi.eu/pdf/RMGI_SM_912.pdf

-MD

[jpmorris]

At first I wondered if it was like 457. The thickness does seem to be different, although you get the same amount per reel.
Yes, it says it's for low-speed, but I've not heard of anyone differentiating in this way before. In practical terms, what is the difference?

[technoplayer]

Ok, so the question is....is it any good? ie...will it have sticky shed/ will it work on my Ampex 440's/ etc

[jpmorris]

Originally Posted by technoplayer

Ok, so the question is....is it any good? ie...will it have sticky shed/ will it work on my Ampex 440's/ etc

There have been shedding problems with early batches of 2".
There is also a problem with well-used machines where the guides are slightly worn. The basic issue is that 456 is narrower, so if the machine has been running with that all its life, the new tape won't fit in any wear grooves left by 456 and it will shed at the edges, at least to begin with.

I have noticed it sheds a small amount of oxide on my machine which doesn't shed with 456, but it's not really been a big problem. Most of this has been on the edges and it's lessened over time.

When it comes down to it, until and unless ATR get going, it's the only tape in production aside from Zonal 700, which is 1/4" only and nonavailable in the US.

[technoplayer]

Ok, thanks. I give it a try. I don't know what tape my machines were "broken in" with, but the guides are un-grooved and the heads are pretty good.

[jpmorris]

That should have read "It's NOT really been a big problem"

[jjones1700]

Originally Posted by themaddog

According to the website, it looks like it is derived from SM911, but is meant specifically for low-speed machines (7.5 and 3.75 ips).

For us poor folks who can't afford a 30 ips, 1/2" or wider machine. I've got capability of 1 7/8" to 7 1/2" ips. That's as fast as she goes Cap'n!

[Beck]

Originally Posted by technoplayer

Ok, so the question is....is it any good? ie...will it have sticky shed/ will it work on my Ampex 440's/ etc

BASF/EMTEC/RMGI SM911 is a great tape.

No sticky-shed per se, but some reports of a higher rate of “normal” shedding. Actually the earliest runs of RMGI were problem-free. The shedding happened with some subsequent batches. At any rate, the shedding is not a result of the urethane binder hydrolysis that causes classic sticky-shed.


Give it a try but don’t pay too much. The prices on the web are high. You can find new-old-stock BASF or EMTEC 911, or Quantegy 456 for less. Yet having a local source is handy, and maybe they can give you a better deal than they are allowed to advertise.