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iangerber
New member
I know this has been covered and covered…but would those who have good knowledge of where to get 1/2 tape (such as Ampex 456) please enlighten me?
jpmorris
Tape Wolf
Quantegy 456 has been out of production for a few years now, sadly and the original Ampex version tended not to be very stable over the long term so I would definitely avoid it if you do find some on ebay.
With new tape, your main choice now is RMGI SM911 (which is equivalent) or the very expensive ATR tape which 1/2" multitracks are not generally intended for.
I can't sensibly suggest where to buy it, though - someone in the US will have to do that.
With new tape, your main choice now is RMGI SM911 (which is equivalent) or the very expensive ATR tape which 1/2" multitracks are not generally intended for.
I can't sensibly suggest where to buy it, though - someone in the US will have to do that.
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dodgeaspen
New member
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Beck
Guest
There are good New Old Stock Ampex branded tapes on eBay, Craigslist and Musicgoround, but the vast majority of what you’ll see is crap. It’s easy enough for a handful of us to tell which is which, but seems as it turns out beyond the capability of mere mortals no matter how carefully we’ve explained the many ways to know.
Lots of info in these two threads and others here over the years:
https://homerecording.com/bbs/general-discussions/analog-only/tapes-buy-while-prices-high-237300/
https://homerecording.com/bbs/general-discussions/analog-only/sticky-shed-help-thread-228067/
eBay has always been a good source for new-old-stock (NOS) tape. The trick is knowing what to avoid. I still regularly buy NOS Ampex 456, 457, 406 and 407. It’s few and far between, but I grab it when I see it. Don’t buy used tape, or what some sellers call, “Tested.” LOL Those of us that can tell good tape with a quick glance at the box or the reel are an elite branch of the Analog Special Forces. I’ve compiled the complete list of our members below:
1. Me
Lots of info in these two threads and others here over the years:
https://homerecording.com/bbs/general-discussions/analog-only/tapes-buy-while-prices-high-237300/
https://homerecording.com/bbs/general-discussions/analog-only/sticky-shed-help-thread-228067/
eBay has always been a good source for new-old-stock (NOS) tape. The trick is knowing what to avoid. I still regularly buy NOS Ampex 456, 457, 406 and 407. It’s few and far between, but I grab it when I see it. Don’t buy used tape, or what some sellers call, “Tested.” LOL Those of us that can tell good tape with a quick glance at the box or the reel are an elite branch of the Analog Special Forces. I’ve compiled the complete list of our members below:
1. Me
briank
analog for the people!
probably best to stick with current production tape which is ATR or RMGI.
Be advised that ATR appears to have let a bad batch out, two reels of which I have had the displeasure to deal with. I will NOT try ATR again until I can get a handle on how to identify the bad batch and don't recommend it to anyone at present. The bad tape I experienced was dated October 2010 and purchased through Vintage King this summer BTW.
RMGI SM911 might be your best bet at this point. RMGI is currently changing their manufacturing ops but internet banter suggests current stocks should be trustworthy. I do no know from personal experience with the SM911, however.
All this being said, Full Compass is a reputable RMGI dealer, Vintage King is a reputable ATR dealer. US Recording Media sells both.
Quantegy is infamous for periodically claiming that they will be selling new tape again "soon" but don't count on it, and don't bother with Ampex branded 456.
Be advised that ATR appears to have let a bad batch out, two reels of which I have had the displeasure to deal with. I will NOT try ATR again until I can get a handle on how to identify the bad batch and don't recommend it to anyone at present. The bad tape I experienced was dated October 2010 and purchased through Vintage King this summer BTW.
RMGI SM911 might be your best bet at this point. RMGI is currently changing their manufacturing ops but internet banter suggests current stocks should be trustworthy. I do no know from personal experience with the SM911, however.
All this being said, Full Compass is a reputable RMGI dealer, Vintage King is a reputable ATR dealer. US Recording Media sells both.
Quantegy is infamous for periodically claiming that they will be selling new tape again "soon" but don't count on it, and don't bother with Ampex branded 456.
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Beck
Guest
Quantegy kept the Ampex brand name until 1998. NOS Ampex from 1995 and on is all good. Lots of NOS Ampex branded tape IS Quantegy. That's really all anyone needs to know. If the seller won't or can't tell you the date of manufacture then yes pass on it.
The last three reels of Ampex branded Quantegy I bought NOS off eBay I paid around $30.00 each, including shipping. It's a nice feeling.
briank
analog for the people!
Yeah I know that but we get these threads all the time and it seems to just incite confusion when we start qualifying it with "actually there were a few years in the mid-90s that were ok but..." There's only so much of that stuff floating around the market anyway, may as well leave it for the ASF and spare novices a potential buying mistake. Tape seems to be regaining popularity and I think it best to try to be cut-and-dried with our info much as possible, this stuff is confusing enough between the NOS vs. used tape vs. new tape vs. this bad batch vs. that good batch vs. this era's logo/mfr, oy vey!
Me personally, I don't use +6 tape but if I was looking for 456 and nothing else would do, and I came across a new, sealed Ampex 456 that through the wrapper showed a code of 95 on up and the price was good I'd go for it, but otherwise I guess I'm just taking the high road on this sort of advice.
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Beck
Guest
Yeah I know that but we get these threads all the time and it seems to just incite confusion when we start qualifying it with "actually there were a few years in the mid-90s that were ok but..." There's only so much of that stuff floating around the market anyway, may as well leave it for the ASF and spare novices a potential buying mistake. Tape seems to be regaining popularity and I think it best to try to be cut-and-dried with our info much as possible, this stuff is confusing enough between the NOS vs. used tape vs. new tape vs. this bad batch vs. that good batch vs. this era's logo/mfr, oy vey!
Me personally, I don't use +6 tape but if I was looking for 456 and nothing else would do, and I came across a new, sealed Ampex 456 that through the wrapper showed a code of 95 on up and the price was good I'd go for it, but otherwise I guess I'm just taking the high road on this sort of advice.
Yeah, I hear ya, but such is the nature of web forums... lots of info and the reader has to sort it out. But IMO if people can't figure out this tape date thing I wonder aloud if they should get into something other than recording altogether, because they sure as hell aren't going to get their heads around things like acoustics, mic placement, monitoring, and gain staging either. I share what I know on these forums speaking to those that will get it, and knowing full well that many won’t get it. Recording is a lot harder to do successfully than manufacturers would have people believe. Well I’ve been at it for three decades now and I always say, recording ain’t rocket science… rocket science is easy.
But that's why some of us even bother with these forums... to give something back... for those of us who've been there and done that to help others go there and do that.
Very rarely do I ask a question here, because very rarely is there something I don’t already know. And it’s nice to talk shop with others who have been there and done that as well.
briank
analog for the people!
Good points indeed!
Victory Pete
Banned
This where I get my RMGI 911 RMGI/EMTEC 1/2 x 2500 10.5in. Metal Reel 34220 :: Total Media Inc. 1-800-355-4400 - Blank tape, cdrs, mini dv, audio, video and computer recording supplies
That is good to hear about Quantegy making 456 again, I think Analog is making a comeback, I see a lot of local interest here in New England.
VP
That is good to hear about Quantegy making 456 again, I think Analog is making a comeback, I see a lot of local interest here in New England.
VP
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iangerber
New member
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iangerber
New member
Oh yeah, how many reels do you suggest if you are carefully going to record 8 songs for an LP?
lonewhitefly
Active member
stay very far away from that auction, unless you need some empty metal reels and something to fill your trash can !
And my friend, read the link that Beck kindly posted earlier in this thread. Read it carefully. Then read it again. Browse eBay for a bit. Then read it again. Take notes. Browse eBay and find some tapes. Put them in your watch list. Then read Beck's links again. Buy some cheap tapes on eBay, maybe some in different lots, try different things, etc. Don't spend too much money. Then over the next several months, after you've tried out a few different tapes and found what you like and don't like and what works and doesn't work, go back to that thread and read it again. Repeat the process.
That's what I did and now I'm a tape guru !
lonewhitefly
Active member
This is 100% subjective and based on the needs of your project.
My personal answer: one reel of tape. That's what I would need for 8 songs. But it depends on many factors, including length of songs and whether or not you rewind and start over after a bad take. Or if you're going to do more than one version of each song.
briank
analog for the people!
Beck, my friend, this is why I suggest newbs just stay away from Ampex entirely
Yes run, don't walk from that reel of junk!
As for how many reels, it depends on what speed you're recording at (15ips eats tape twice as fast as 7.5ips), how long your 8 songs are and whether you're soaking extra space with outtakes or other bits and pieces but generally figure 1-2 reels.
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WarmJetGuitar
New member
Recorded a band this night with brand new RMGI LPR35 and it's absolutely fine - great sound and no shedding. Been recording on recently produced SM911 and it was fine too. I can strongly recommend it.
Blue Jinn
Rider of the ARPocalypse
Well, a brand new 1/2" reel and box is US$38.00 from usrecordingmedia.com. So I guess paying ~$20.00 for a new empty Ampex reel isn't too bad. Those boxes are kinda nice, and I like that old Ampex logo, has a 'vintage' look about it, and I've put some pancakes on some that I bought for that reason....You know, vintage.
Not sure what I'd do with 20,000 feet of useless tape....the only thing I can think of is some kind of arty picture shoot wrapping some model up in tape. Some kind of statement on the alienation of man in bourgeois society and music as the prison of our own making....It's on my list but....
Not sure what I'd do with 20,000 feet of useless tape....the only thing I can think of is some kind of arty picture shoot wrapping some model up in tape. Some kind of statement on the alienation of man in bourgeois society and music as the prison of our own making....It's on my list but....
briank
analog for the people!
LDS
New member
What speed are you recording at? What size reels?
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FAST996
New member
My experience with tape bought on Epay is that 90% is junk because of poor storage and stick shed.RMGI 911 or 900 new tape is all I buy but RMGI Is being manufactured in France now.I have yet to try this new stuff.