Goood casette tapes

[JoshHorn]

Hello,

What is a really good blank casette tape brand? Emtec? are theirs any good?

 

[The Ghost of FM]

I have heard good things about Emtec as far their open reel product goes but I have no direct experience with their cassette products.

TDK is a long standing, well known and trusted manufacturer of cassette tape in all formulations and if we are talking Portastudio usage here, their SA, type II are considered an industry standard.

Cheers!

 

[JoshHorn]

TDK

I've been using TDK, (Yeah, TDK I think) lol recently. They work very well.

I have a small home studio:
TCW-E305 Sony dual tape deck
Behringer UB1002 mixer
Sennheiser E825-S
two no-name dynamic mics
Old old speakers & a Crate amplifier for monitors
Alvarez acoustic guitar
no-name Classical guitar
Ibanez GAX-70 electric guitar
decent computer to mix too if needed

I record alot of acoustic guitar & vocals, this setup seems to work for what I do, and for how much I can spend. This is all setup in my bedroom.

--Josh

 

[Beck]

TDK

I started out using TDK SA and SA-X, and then used Denon for a few years, now back to TDK.

The SM and SM-X are pro versions made specifically for multitrack. I have used the SM-X 60s and really like them. The cassette is designed to minimize modulation noise and static, but the tape is pretty much the same as consumer SA-X.

You don't want to use anything over 60 minutes if you can help it. 90s are ok in a pinch, but never use 120s.

 

[EddieRay]

What about Maxell XLII?

 

[eh91311]

I've never had luck playing back older Maxell XLII's. I've had few problems with TDK SA60's or 90's. I believe that TDK's cassette shell design is better.

 

[EddieRay]

Where to get TDK SA60?

I have access to a Tascam 688 which,according the to manual, ets best results when TDK SA60 tape is used. I can't find any around here in any of the local stores. Musicians Friend lists SM60 tape. Is that a good substitute? If not, where does anybody get SA60?

 

[Beck]

Re: Where to get TDK SA60?

I have access to a Tascam 688 which,according the to manual, ets best results when TDK SA60 tape is used. I can't find any around here in any of the local stores. Musicians Friend lists SM60 tape. Is that a good substitute? If not, where does anybody get SA60?

The TDK SM is a better choice. It's the same tape as SA, but with a higher performance cassette mechanism. It's recommended for multitrack cassette. Here's a slightly better deal then Musicians Friend at Cassette House. 10 for $20.38. Shipping is about the same. Look all the way to bottom of page "10 Pack TDK C60SM."

http://www.tape.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/cgi-bin/pagegennew.pl?U+cassette+tqvm7816+Type II - Retail

You can save a few bucks and get TDK SA at Tapeworld.com for $1.09 per cassette and better shipping.

http://www.tapeworld.com/search_pro...TypeII)&brandname=TDK&sortby=price,+brandname

 

[James HE]

back in my 4 tracking days I used the TDK SM and SA. They are the best tape probably. But then My four track just basically became a 2 track recorder for rehersals and stuff, just record it, then throw it in the car tape deck. Sounds Wierd, but I swear the Maxells sounded way better on normal speed than the TDK's, like it took to the noise reduction a little better. If your using high speed and bouncing stuff, re-recording stuff, the Maxells will crap out on you sooner that the TDKs. Just a thought.

 

[JoshHorn]

TDK-Sony

I have used TDK & Sony with good results.