P
Peck
Guest
I'm mixing down to an ampex 440 1/4" 2 track, and I'm wondering which tape will work well for me. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks... 
krhall
New member
Quantegy Tape
Hmm...
Any new Ampex or quantegy reel will do ok
For all of my master copy recordings i use Quantegy 478
I had to ditch some of my older tape when i noticed it was starting to shed oxide (basicly freaked out when the heads were covered in oxide).
On older ampex and quantegy tape the back coating starts to leave deposits on the tape guide posts.
So i always thoroughly clean the pinch roller, heads and guide posts between tape reels.
Hope this helps Keith
P.S here are some links from Quantegy on some recomended recording mediums
http://quantegyonline.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=32_81
^^^^
Quantegy 478 (low print studio mastering audio tape)
http://quantegyonline.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=32_84
^^^^
GP9 Broadcast quality recording tape (Gand master Platinum Studio mastering tape) Expensive but very good quality.
http://quantegyonline.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=32_83
^^^^
Quantegy 499 (Grand master gold studio mastering tape)
Hmm...
Any new Ampex or quantegy reel will do ok
For all of my master copy recordings i use Quantegy 478
I had to ditch some of my older tape when i noticed it was starting to shed oxide (basicly freaked out when the heads were covered in oxide).
On older ampex and quantegy tape the back coating starts to leave deposits on the tape guide posts.
So i always thoroughly clean the pinch roller, heads and guide posts between tape reels.
Hope this helps Keith
P.S here are some links from Quantegy on some recomended recording mediums
http://quantegyonline.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=32_81
^^^^
Quantegy 478 (low print studio mastering audio tape)
http://quantegyonline.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=32_84
^^^^
GP9 Broadcast quality recording tape (Gand master Platinum Studio mastering tape) Expensive but very good quality.
http://quantegyonline.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=32_83
^^^^
Quantegy 499 (Grand master gold studio mastering tape)
P
Peck
Guest
Thanks krhall. i appreciate it...
krhall
New member
No problem
Happy to help any time
Keith
Happy to help any time
Keith
A
amphony
New member
Check out Quantegy 406. Talk about tape compression............. 
littlesongs
New member
i've run quantegy 407 and it really does compress nicely... like 408, it's made for portables like my uher (or a nagra), but with the 406 formula... i have mostly used it for live acoustic music and field recordings with consistently great results... i plan on experimenting with it to get rough mixes from the scully... and it may really sound nice on that little deck for comping drums and percussion... i will see... but... i don't think i would recommend it for mastering...
much of the choice depends on your genre and the ratio of soft passages to loud passages in your performances... print through is bad, but it really isn't nearly as obvious under a wall of guitars... so, older tape formulas might be alright... one gently played acoustic guitar though, or a soft voice... and you will have a problem... signal to noise ratios are also more crucial on softer music than loud, but... alot of it also depends on whether you are trying to just splatter it on the tape for that once dreaded and now romanticized compression... or whether you want a very clear and warm sound with very little noise...
that 440 is a great machine... underrated, but then in audio that is a good thing... parts aren't hoarded like spanish coins... whatever tape you choose, whether it is a +6 -- which the machine was designed for -- or +9 -- which it can be adjusted to use -- you will need to get it biased and set-up for that formula... there are alot of options out there in one-pass, new old stock and newly manufactured tape, so shop around and find something you really like...
next time i see him, i'll ask my pal here in town who has a AG440C what he spins... what are the other ampex 440 owners in this forum rolling? c'mon fellers... chime in...
much of the choice depends on your genre and the ratio of soft passages to loud passages in your performances... print through is bad, but it really isn't nearly as obvious under a wall of guitars... so, older tape formulas might be alright... one gently played acoustic guitar though, or a soft voice... and you will have a problem... signal to noise ratios are also more crucial on softer music than loud, but... alot of it also depends on whether you are trying to just splatter it on the tape for that once dreaded and now romanticized compression... or whether you want a very clear and warm sound with very little noise...
that 440 is a great machine... underrated, but then in audio that is a good thing... parts aren't hoarded like spanish coins... whatever tape you choose, whether it is a +6 -- which the machine was designed for -- or +9 -- which it can be adjusted to use -- you will need to get it biased and set-up for that formula... there are alot of options out there in one-pass, new old stock and newly manufactured tape, so shop around and find something you really like...
next time i see him, i'll ask my pal here in town who has a AG440C what he spins... what are the other ampex 440 owners in this forum rolling? c'mon fellers... chime in...
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B
Beck
Guest
Peck said:I'm mixing down to an ampex 440 1/4" 2 track, and I'm wondering which tape will work well for me. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks...
Quantegy 456 or RMGI SM 911 will work well on a 440. Those tapes weren't around when that machine was first introduced. 406 was around, and some people still like it for mastering. Keep in mind that 406/407 slightly out specs the once popular Maxell XL 35-90B. I master to 407 on a TASCAM 22-2 and get great results.
RMGI 468 is also a very popular mastering tape. Try a few different types and see what works best with your type of music.
~Tim
krhall
New member
Grundig TK5 - 1952
I use the small 5 inch and 5 3/4 inch reels on my valve Grundig TK5 (have to record on my tandberg first).
It plays back beautifully on the TK5.
This machine was built in 1952 and it still plays today like it did when new unfortunatly it cannot record and i want to restore it to like NEW condition
I have already replaced 2 valves so all the valves are perfect
Any info greatly apreciated.
Keith
I use the small 5 inch and 5 3/4 inch reels on my valve Grundig TK5 (have to record on my tandberg first).
It plays back beautifully on the TK5.
This machine was built in 1952 and it still plays today like it did when new unfortunatly it cannot record and i want to restore it to like NEW condition
I have already replaced 2 valves so all the valves are perfect
Any info greatly apreciated.
Keith
littlesongs
New member
that grundig is really a beauty... between the germans and the swiss, we have been blessed with some mighty fine small decks!
you folks may have gathered this, but to clarify... i have used the 406 formulation with 407 tape on my -- practically new, but circa 1989 -- uher 4000 report monitor with happy results, but... not on an AG440...
you folks may have gathered this, but to clarify... i have used the 406 formulation with 407 tape on my -- practically new, but circa 1989 -- uher 4000 report monitor with happy results, but... not on an AG440...
T
Tim Gillett
Banned
you folks may have gathered this, but to clarify... i have used the 406 formulation with 407 tape on my -- practically new, but circa 1989 -- uher 4000 report monitor with happy results, but... not on an AG440...[/QUOTE]
As far as I know 407 is just 406 in long play (LP) form. It wont sound any worse on a studio machine than on the portable. Exactly the same. Standard tape like 406 is just physically thicker and stronger with maybe less print through and a bit more MOL. As I recall portables often didnt like standard tape because it was thicker and tended to need more back tension to make it sit right on the heads without dropout, and when battery life was an issue, strong back tension was just another drain on already limited recording time. That's my understanding of it for what it's worth.
Tim
As far as I know 407 is just 406 in long play (LP) form. It wont sound any worse on a studio machine than on the portable. Exactly the same. Standard tape like 406 is just physically thicker and stronger with maybe less print through and a bit more MOL. As I recall portables often didnt like standard tape because it was thicker and tended to need more back tension to make it sit right on the heads without dropout, and when battery life was an issue, strong back tension was just another drain on already limited recording time. That's my understanding of it for what it's worth.
Tim
krhall
New member
Grundig TK5
I love this little Grundig.
This was my first complete rebuild and restoration project.
It works perfectly except record.
If i can get the record function working then this machine would be even better.
As so few machines in this good condition are arround today i have decided to keep it for historical and preservation reasons
I hope to get hold of some more valve machines later. And start my own collection
Keith
I love this little Grundig.
This was my first complete rebuild and restoration project.
It works perfectly except record.
If i can get the record function working then this machine would be even better.
As so few machines in this good condition are arround today i have decided to keep it for historical and preservation reasons
I hope to get hold of some more valve machines later. And start my own collection
Keith
P
Peck
Guest
Thanks everyone for your input... Getting the ag-440 in mastering condition is going to be a whole other story, but I just wanted to know what tape to buy... I was probably jumping the gun, but I wanted to know. Thanks!
littlesongs
New member
tim, you are absolutely right... the 407 (and 408 -- same thickness in a different formula) is just to keep the little machines happy and to increase an already limited recording time...
peck... good luck with your big beloved beautiful beast!
peck... good luck with your big beloved beautiful beast!