8-track Ampex 1/4" tape

[VTgreen81]

Where might one find Ampex 1/4" reel to reel recording tape for a Fostex 8-track recorder? Another local musician was asking and I'd like to help him out. I found some 4 track on ebay, but no 8.

[famous beagle]

I'm not sure I understand. If you're talking about blank tape, 1/4" R2R tape is 1/4" tape. It can be used on a 1/2 track (2 track), 4-track, or 8-track deck that uses 1/4" tape.

The machine is usually designed for a certain type of tape within those parameters, but it's still gonna be 1/4" tape.

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

[SteveM]

No Famous Beagle, you're right. VT just needs to get 1/4" tape.There is no specific tape for 4 track, 8 track etc.... I would stay away from the Ampex tape though, get Quantegy made after 1996 the Ampex could be bad and screw up your deck. The deck is probably set up for a certain type of tape but I don't know which type.

[VTgreen81]

Cool, thanks guys. He specified the # of tracks so I thought it mattered, glad to know it doesn't.

[sweetbeats]

If it is a Fostex 1/4" 8track then it was probably setup for 456 equivalent. We always recommend new.

RMGI SM911 is the stuff to get. Here's a sample source:

http://usrecordingmedia-store.stores...gemsm1x12.html

[Blue Jinn]

LPR-35 will work also for the Fostex, (e.g. the Fostex 80 is factory calibrated for Ampex 457, or more specifically 320 nWb/m) I guess that gives you 1dB headroom using 456/457. The fostex 80 recommends a 1 mil tape (although it only recommends against thinner tapes stretching, there is no mention of using thicker tape.) LPR 35 is available new. Quantegy 457 is also available from Quantegy as NOS.

[sweetbeats]

Good call, Blue Jinn. I was going from memory on the 1.5mil spec tape for the Fostex decks...thanks for the correction. Is the R8 the same way?

Yes, as he said, LPR35 is the same as 457...+6 1mil tape, you can also get from US Recording Media and a number of other places, and the 457 NOS deal from Quantegy might indeed be a very good lead too.

[Blue Jinn]

The manuals for hte A-8 show (I think) a 250 nWb/m ol. The 80 and R8 indicate a 320 flux. They all seem to recommend 1 mil tape, but the 80 manual doesn't recommend against using 1.5mil tape. There are other threads on this debate, and probably 1 mil tape would be better to use with the fostex decks, the Fostex machines do not seem as heavy duty as the Tascam. (the 80 is smaller and about half as heavy as e.g. a Teac 22-x.)