cassette brand

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rjbutchko

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Tascam recommends choosing one brand of cassette and sticking with it. I don't understand why, although I understand why not to use cheap tapes. Can someone explain this to me? I mean, I'm sure if I regularly ust TDK tapes, using a Maxell wont hurt anything.
 
Tascam makes a recommendation because that's the tape they calibrate to... Using another brand won't hurt anything, but in theory, it may or may not be up to spec...

You could probably make a strong argument that given the media, it won't make much difference, but hey...

If what you're using sounds good - stick with it!!

:)

Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound
 
I use Maxell XLII (type II) tapes. They sound great.

Isaiah
 
Thanx. I just got the 424. I've never multi-tracked before, i always just putzed around w/ mic placement and recorded my whole band live, but made pretty good tapes. When I read about using the same brand tape, I figured maybe Tascam machines had some sort of conciousness and would reject a transplanted cassette.

Thanx again,
Ron
 
So what brand of tapes are the TASCAM portastudios calibrated for? The American Musical Supply catalogue specifies BASF but it seems I've seen a lot of posts recommending Maxell.
 
According to the docs: " TDK SA, Maxell XL-II or equivalent formulations are recommended. We strongly suggest that you select one good quality brand and use it exclusively." I'm guessing they just mean 'dont use crappy tape' (my words, not theirs)
I'm using TDK PRO SM30 tapes at $2.59 a pop and they seem okay. But what do I know, I just figured out how to get the effects loop working properly!!!

Ron
 
Hi, guy! Personally, I use Sony CD-It tapes ($6 per block of 5!). I have a 488 MkII, and they work great in it. I've not tried any other brand but, as long as the quality of the tapes & recordings don't go down, they are the right choice of price and fidelity for me. And that's my 2 cents!

chipper
 
Well, the ALSO mean..

...that you should use the same brand all the time. Thats because then you get consistency and can get used to that particular tape brand. I'm not sure if it really makes any difference, but it can't hurt. :)
 
Yeah, I'm just gonna stick w/ the TDK for now, Unless there's a massive safety recall due to tape separation from the wheels.

Ron
 
My ten cents worth on tape type... I've been buying bricks of TDK SA-60's which seem to work well. Then I saw the TDK SM's at music stores sold as multi-track masters - more money, but still pretty cheap. So I actually called TASCAM customer support to ask, as I was working on a project that was very important to me. When I finally was able to talk to a rep,it was almost as though he didn't understand the question. He wasn't familiar with the high-end TDK SM's (which I thought kinda weird) but basically said to use any good quality type II high bias tape, 60 min or less to avoid shredding, and to CLEAN THE TAPE PATH JUST ABOUT EVERY TIME THE MACHINE IS USED, of course allowing time for the fluid to dry. He thought the BASF formulation for the bulk cassetes from the catalog was weird, and hadn't heard about that either. I think the SM's sound better.
 
the aged and decrepid

I used TDK's SA and SM in my 424 exclusivly. now the aging 7 year old dosen't like them. They flutter a little when I record with them. The old man likes Maxell XL-II tapes now. Maxell tapes don't flutter at all. wierd huh? (I think the SA's are a little heavier and the old man is weak- playback is no problem though of old tapes) I guess the old man's tase buds have changed. The old man also dosen't like to be cleaned. Wean I clean the old man's pitch roller the transport gets all wierd. I clean his heads somtimes. But I don't record on it any more. It's my headphone mixer, and of course plays back all his old favorite recordings once in a while. I thought about sending him to a retirement home, but I figure as long as his power supply and his trip pots hold up, he can be happy here and of much use to me. just last night I used him to make a second casette mixdown for the "clients" Saved me from having to wait around and doing a dub. Thanks old man. (tears falling down my face....)

-jhe
 
I got a great deal on basf mp4studio metal tapes for 69 cents each at oddjob closeout store and basf cr11 type 2 for 69 cents.I will make my tascam 238 246 234 and porta one decks like them at that price.Tascam cassette multitracks kick ass. I do like the sony sony cd it type 2 if I'm paying the regular price
 
I just bought a five pack of Maxell Type two for $4.45. I love employee discounts!!!!!
~james
 
I've been using Maxell XL-II and XL-IIS for everyday music recording since they were recommended years ago in a multi-track class I took (that's what we kept stuff on after mix & master and that's the type the studio used for stock). They have been great (easy to find, too). I just got a 488 and used a 90 minute tape to mess around with it. These will probably be my tape of choice but I'll probably go down to a 60 as recommended by most. Just another 2 cents. As everyone seems to elude to... if it works, stick with it. Good Luck.

-woob
 
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