Revox ! But where's the tape...

[dialatron]

I am looking to mix down onto a Revox A77 but can't seem to obtain any Quantegy 407 tape which was recommended to use with this machine.
I am also a bit worried about tape shed which is common on this brand.I previously used Maxell ud35-90 but would like to use something of a better quality. Is the 407 tape the only one for a Revox A77...I live in the UK and need to obtain some tape by next weekend... I have looked around but to no avail....

 

[jpmorris]

That would be because Quantegy went bust a year or two ago.

I think the nearest equivalent for you is Zonal 840 (for 407), or Zonal 820 (for 406).
The only difference between the two is that 407 (or 840) is thinner and longer playing. e.g. a 10.5" spool of 406 has 2400 feet, a spool of 407 has 3600.

I believe RMGI's equivalent is LPR35, but that stuff is like hen's teeth in the UK.

Studiospares.com seem to have damaged their site listing for mag tape (you have to search for RMGI or it won't show up), but they're very handy for accessories like metal reels, head cleaner and editing stuff like chinagraph pencils, editing razors and splicing tape etc.
Tape-wise, they sell SM911 and SM900. If you can't get the Zonal stuff in time, SM911 should do at a pinch.

For Zonal tape, give Canford Audio a go. Probably best to check if they've got it in stock first, if you're time-sensitive:

http://www.canford.co.uk/Products/86-323-ZONAL-840-105-inch-NAB-hub

http://www.canford.co.uk/Products/86-313-ZONAL-820-105-inch-NAB-hub

...note that the 840 is almost twice the price.

Also, be aware that the 10.5" spools that Canford sell do not have a reel. They come on just a core. To use them, you must either buy a separate metal spool which you can disassemble and reassemble around the core, or buy one of Canford's plastic reels and very carefully spool the tape onto that. I can talk you through either method it you like, or if you buy a 7" reel, those do come on a plastic spool.

http://www.canford.co.uk/Products/86-322-ZONAL-840-7-inch-reel

http://www.canford.co.uk/Products/86-312-ZONAL-820-7-inch-reel

How long these last depends on the tape speed. If it's mastering, I'm assuming you've got a high-speed A77 running at 15 ips.

At that speed, a 10.5" spool of 820 will give you approximately 31 minutes of time. Strictly it's about 33 minutes, but it's best to leave a gap at the start and end. A 7" reel will give you about 16 minutes.

For the long-play stuff like 407 (or 840), you'll get about 46 minutes (48 total), or 22 minutes on 7" (24 total)

I hope this helps!

 

[dialatron]

Thank you very much for the information I am now looking into it. I have heard of Zonal tape, what is the quality like I need the best I can get....

 

[jpmorris]

Thank you very much for the information I am now looking into it. I have heard of Zonal tape, what is the quality like I need the best I can get....

In a way you're a bit stuck for choice. All the manufacturers have had some QA problems at some point except for ATR - their stuff is basically untried and horrifically expensive (more than twice as much as any other brand).
(see http://www.stanleysonline.co.uk/category-325.htm )

Ampex 406 or 407 is likely to shed. Don't even consider it.
Quantegy 407 isn't going to shed but they did have problems towards the end of the run where the tape would tend to drop out a lot. Your only source for that is ebay unfortunately.

RMGI have had shedding problems with their earlier runs though they seem to have got over that.

I use a lot of Zonal 700 - the older stuff was perfect, some of the newer stuff seemed to be slightly sticky. 820 and 840 may or may not have the same QA issue. I haven't tried it, though I did use a roll of old stock 1/2" 820 for my last album and it was great (they only make 1/4" tape now unfortunately). I might give their new 820 a shot but I won't be able to do so immediately.

At the end of the day, you pays your money and you takes your choice.

 

[trancedental]

Try Carousel http://www.carouselmedia.com/category-76.html look down the end of the page for the LPR35 with the 7" or 5" plastic trident reels depending on your machine. It's probably 7" for Revox A77?

 

[jpmorris]

Try Carousel http://www.carouselmedia.com/category-76.html look down the end of the page for the LPR35 with the 7" or 5" plastic trident reels depending on your machine. It's probably 7" for Revox A77?

The A77 can take 10.5" spools, assuming he has NAB centres for it, of course.

I may be wrong about LPR35. I thought it was 407-compatible, but I've seen it listed as a 457 replacement, so I'm not entirely sure anymore.

 

[dialatron]

I have found a supplier of Zonal 840 and its a more reasonably priced
than the RMGI and local as well...Thanks for your help, its much appreciated !!

 

[jpmorris]

I have found a supplier of Zonal 840 and its a more reasonably priced
than the RMGI and local as well...Thanks for your help, its much appreciated !!

Who is the supplier, out of interest? And does it ship with a reel, or is it just a 'pancake' of tape on a hub like Canford sell?

 

[dialatron]

Hi ! This guy only sells zonal has quite a selection, mailed him earlier and he was very helpful,
he,s on ebay.. not my first place to look but there you go....
He's local to me as well..

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/ZONAL-MEDIA

 

[sweetbeats]

LPR35 is indeed a 457 equivalent. +6 1mil tape.

 

[dodgeaspen]

http://tapestockonline.com/reeltoreel.html The last time I checked still had Quantegy tape. Try http://www.atrtape.com/ One of the posts was that this tape is very expensive but in the case of RMG you get what you pay for. RMG is made in the Netherlands while ATR is made in the US. And reported to have a much higher quality. Give it a try.

 

[sweetbeats]

dodgeaspen...

Your RMGI-bashing is getting old. Give it a rest. You're in the minority here as far as your experience with RMGI tape. I have nothing against ATR Magnetics' products at all. May even try some someday, but I, along with many others here, am a happy RMGI customer.