Zonal Tape

B

Beck

Guest
Anyone ever used tape made by this British company?

http://users.pandora.be/audiomedia/Zonal.htm

A quick search revealed they recently made various sizes of bias compatible reel tape, but are currently just making ¼ “ and Cassette. I’ve seen some on ebay, but know nothing about them.

I really like Ampex/Quantegy, but I feel a little claustrophobic only having one choice, even if that’s the one I’d choose anyway.

Any other tape manufacturers anyone know of that haven’t gone out of the reel business?


:cool:
 
Hey Tim,

I've never heard of it, but then again I'm too new to have heard of much... (Sorry)

I'm wondering where you get your tape in IL and the price?
Got any secret good deal locations for 1/2" 456?

:)
 
I have an old roll of Racal Zonal , open reel tape on a 7.5 inch reel in 1/4 inch format but, this tape is at least 25 years old and still played well, without shedding the last time I put it up on an old Sony Reel to Reel I have, a few years ago.

I got the roll off a film production company that used them exclusively on their Nagra field recorders. They swore by them as apposed to the many Ampex users out there that swore at them!

I don't know if they are still in business?

Cheers! :)
 
I'm wondering where you get your tape in IL and the price?

I don’t have a good local source for 456. I keep an eye on ebay for new sealed ½” for my TSR-8. I’ve found some good prices there, but it’s time consuming.

I only bid on Quantegy or post-1995 Ampex 456. The new binder that is used on current Quantegy was introduced in early 95 on Ampex 456. It is supposed to solve the “sticky shed” problem that pre-95 Ampex and 3M tapes had. I will also get 3M/Scotch 226 when I can find it.

I always email the seller for the date code listed on the box. Buying the older stuff is certainly better than buying nothing, but I like to try to avoid dealing with the shed problem if possible.

Seems like the lowest price on the web is around $35.00 each, unless you buy a case of 7, which brings it down to $28.00 or so. Here are a few links I’ve found. You may have them, but if you don’t know some of these the following will save you some trouble:

SINGLE REELS
http://www.worldclasstapes.com/mastertape.php

http://www.arcal.com/456grandmaster.html

http://www.neemannmedia.com/reels.htm#456

http://www.cmedias.com/audio_Folder/q_Folder/456.htm

PANCAKE HUB (PH) (saves a few bucks if you have old reels)
http://www.promediazone.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=2840

http://www.cmedias.com/audio_Folder/q_Folder/456.htm

BULK CASE (Pancake)
http://www.universaltapes.com/analogstmstape.html

Tim :cool:
 
Racal Zonal

Hey font,

I bet that's the same company. It kinda makes me curious. I may just grab one on ebay when I see it and give the stuff a try.

:cool:
 
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