technoplayer said:
Seeing the general dismay and panic after the announcement from Quantegy, i may as well join the tape-hoarders and get some while its available.
Absolutely unneccessary. Generally speaking, don't worry about the Quantegy closing thing. There is and will be tape available from RMGI and what remains from Quantegy will be plentiful. Not to mention whomever else starts tape production.
What is the correct Quantegy tape for my Tascam 388?
Ampex 440C ....... Various and sundry Teac (6300/2340/4300) and Tascam (35-2) machines
Generally speaking you set your machine up for the type of tape you may want to use (with certain limitations for certain gear) and not that each (recorder) necessarily goes with a particular tape. I, however, can tell you that:
TASCAM 388: There is not a "correct" Quantegy (or Ampex) tape for the 388 as it was originally setup for Maxell UD 35-90 tape. Quantegy 407 is the closest, in level and bias but for optimum performance you will need to recalibrate your machine. Some, on the other hand, just use the 407 without any tweaking. Again, it's close enough that it's passable to use "as is". I, personally, would not use anything above Maxell or 407 on the 388.
AMPEX 440: I would align it for Quantegy 406. Q 456 is good too but only if you really push levels and like the rather "glassy" sound when going into the red. Otherwise, you're paying extra for levels you won't use. I, personally, don't understand the reason people push these tapes as hard as the operating level allows. I like to stick at or below 0db for any tape I use. I therefore buy only +3 tapes.
TEAC MACHINES: I'm not sure about 6300 / 2340 / 4300 but the 407 would work well and maybe 406 if one of your examples was originally set for a 1.5mil tape. If not, you could, I guess, set the correct tension for the 406. You would have to align though for optimum performance.
TASCAM (35-2): This was probably setup for a 1.5 mil higher output tape like the 456 but I would realign it for 406.
I would like to buy a small quantity of the new stuff while its avaailable, some at fire sale prices..
Fire sale prices are always a good reason to stock up. Generally speaking, I would pick up Quantegy 406 and 407 for probably any machine and realign if required.
You can still get Quantegy 456, especially for your Ampex 440 and 35-2, if the tape is cheap enough, but I'd recommend you not push the levels. 456 and 406 sound identical at lower levels and so if one is cheaper than the other, get it.
Good luck!
