just got a 388.. what tape to buy and where?

[telecasterrok]

I'll be taking delivery of a wonderful tascam 388 studio 8 very soon. I'm so excited, and I'd like to know what the best tape to get for it would be, and where to get it. Also, I'd love any tips or tricks from fellow 388 owners to get me started. This is my first foray into analog recording; can't wait!

[Instroverb]

and have been told that the best tape is 1800 ft on 7 inch reels and 1 mil thickness. RMGI makes this new and Splicit and US recording media both sell it. I bought my first reels at aroun $13.00 each, but they seem to have jumped in price. However, if you go to the analog only forum of this site you will find great people with all the scoop on how to buy used tape!! Congrats and welcome aboard!!

[eh91311]

Try www.tapes.com, www.tapeworkstexas.com to buy RMGI LPR35 tape online, and Ametron Electronics in Hollywood, CA. Ametron very likely has NOS Quantegy 457 & 407, which are the 1 mil-thick tapes the 388 was designed to use, and they will ship.

You can use 1.5 mil tapes like RMGI 911 or Quantegy 456, but don't. The 388 is sensitive to the extra work required to pull the thicker tape and the mechanics will wear faster. Do not use newer formulation tapes like Quantegy 499, GP9 or RMGI SM900.

[telecasterrok]

excellent... thanks guys!

[cjacek]

http://www.splicit.com/rmgi_tape.html
http://www.usrecordingmedia.com/1oprereta1.html

---