New rmgi tape

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TASCAM MAN

TASCAM MAN

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I saw Full Compass stocking and selling RMGI tape for real decent prices, just wondering if anyone has bought from them? Is RMGI SM911 equivalent to Quantegy (formally Ampex) 499 and RMGI SM900 equiv. to Quantegy 456 ?? and also how does it compare to the Ampex/Quantegy when they were making it...thanks :)
 
Technical questions...oh boy! :)

911 = 456

RMGI not 100% *identical* to the original 911, but pretty darn close.
 
SM900 is their 499 equivalent, FWIW. I use 911 on the multitracks, and 900 on the master recorder.
 
jpmorris said:
SM900 is their 499 equivalent, FWIW. I use 911 on the multitracks, and 900 on the master recorder.
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Hey jpmorris if you had just a lil Fostex A-2 for mixing down (built in Dolby C NOT switchable) 15IPS... which would do the best on it in your opinion?
 
TASCAM MAN said:
Hey jpmorris if you had just a lil Fostex A-2 for mixing down (built in Dolby C NOT switchable) 15IPS... which would do the best on it in your opinion?
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For those, I think your main option is LPR35. I think the A-series are intended to have 1.0 mil tape, and they may not be able to bias 499/SM900 correctly, I don't know. A 10.5" machine would give you more flexibility.
 
jpmorris said:
For those, I think your main option is LPR35. I think the A-series are intended to have 1.0 mil tape, and they may not be able to bias 499/SM900 correctly, I don't know. A 10.5" machine would give you more flexibility.
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Im just saying all I have setup right now is the lil Fostex and having fun with it. I have 10.5 reel machines(Teac 3300SX Half Track 15IPS)but not setup at the moment. Im really amazed at the Fostex which I thought was a lil toy when bought it off of e-bay yrs back. Im using some ampex 456 at the moment with no problems,(sounds wonderful) but you still suggest the thinner mil tape for it?
 
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TASCAM MAN said:
Im just saying all I have setup right now is the lil Fostex and having fun with it. I have 10.5 reel machines(Teac 3300SX Half Track 15IPS)but not setup at the moment. Im really amazed at the Fostex which I thought was a lil toy when bought it off of e-bay yrs back. Im using some ampex 456 at the moment with no problems,(sounds wonderful) but you still suggest the thinner mil tape for it?
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That's what I've heard, certainly about the M80 and R8. I don't know if it extends to the A2. If it seems to be happy with 456 (as opposed to 457), then you may as well give it SM911 and see what it does. The LPR35 is RMGI's equivalent to 457.
 
jpmorris said:
That's what I've heard, certainly about the M80 and R8. I don't know if it extends to the A2. If it seems to be happy with 456 (as opposed to 457), then you may as well give it SM911 and see what it does. The LPR35 is RMGI's equivalent to 457.[/QUOTE

Ok but the only difference would be in the thickness of the tape? or does the 456 also have a little higher output than the 457:confused:
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TASCAM MAN said:
jpmorris said:
That's what I've heard, certainly about the M80 and R8. I don't know if it extends to the A2. If it seems to be happy with 456 (as opposed to 457), then you may as well give it SM911 and see what it does. The LPR35 is RMGI's equivalent to 457.[/QUOTE

Ok but the only difference would be in the thickness of the tape? or does the 456 also have a little higher output than the 457:confused:
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Not so much output, but the thinner 457 might have better high-frequency response than 456 on your Fostex given the improved head wrap of the thinner tape. The other consideration with old Fostex machines is the increased wear and tear on a not-so-robust transport with tape that is thicker and has more tension than the recommended 1 mil. Combine that consideration with the lack of Fostex service and new replacement parts and I would say your money is better spent on 1 mil. tape for that machine.
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toddyjoe said:
TASCAM MAN said:
Not so much output, but the thinner 457 might have better high-frequency response than 456 on your Fostex given the improved head wrap of the thinner tape. The other consideration with old Fostex machines is the increased wear and tear on a not-so-robust transport with tape that is thicker and has more tension than the recommended 1 mil. Combine that consideration with the lack of Fostex service and new replacement parts and I would say your money is better spent on 1 mil. tape for that machine.
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Very good info that's what I needed to know, so it would be the LPR35, RMGI's equivalent to 457 that would probably be my best bet then correct?
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"Best" is subjective, so that will probably depend upon your needs and uses. Thinner tape can have downsides too: less durability, greater print-through and tape stretch, etc. Price and play/record time is also different, as the cost of 3600' of LPR-35 will only get you about 2500' of SM911 on the same size reel. If I have to buy new RMGI for my Fostex, it will be LPR-35 but that is what suits my situation best.
 
toddyjoe said:
"Best" is subjective, so that will probably depend upon your needs and uses. Thinner tape can have downsides too: less durability, greater print-through and tape stretch, etc. Price and play/record time is also different, as the cost of 3600' of LPR-35 will only get you about 2500' of SM911 on the same size reel. If I have to buy new RMGI for my Fostex, it will be LPR-35 but that is what suits my situation best.
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Well I'll at least try a roll of LPR35 and compare it to the 456 Im using right now, and probably go ahead and get the "pancake" cheaper and twice as much tape as on a 7" reel. Even if it doesn't sound as good as SM911(456) I can always use it up.Funny thing about it is that Full Compass sells the SM911 cheaper than the LPR35 ?!?!?
 
SO...let me get this straight:

457=LPR35

456=SM911

499=SM900

In the RMGI brand correct?
 
TASCAM MAN said:
SO...let me get this straight:
457=LPR35
456=SM911
499=SM900
In the RMGI brand correct?
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Yes. And yes, a 7" spool of LPR will be more expensive than a 7" spool of SM911, because it will be 1800ft long instead of 1200ft.
 
While we're on the subject, what is SM468, and to what is it equivalent?
 
I just noticed that LPR35 is listed on RMGI's website (Spec Sheets & Bias Chart) as specifically designed for low speed use. The spec sheet only includes data at 3.75 and 7.5 ips. Those specs seem comparable to 468 at 7.5 ips. It lists no specs for LPR35 above 7.5 ips that I can see.

I have a deck set up for LPR35 at 7.5 ips. It's for field recording and I wanted as much recording time as possible between reloads. It works pretty well for that.
 
leddy said:
I just noticed that LPR35 is listed on RMGI's website (Spec Sheets & Bias Chart) as specifically designed for low speed use. The spec sheet only includes data at 3.75 and 7.5 ips. Those specs seem comparable to 468 at 7.5 ips. It lists no specs for LPR35 above 7.5 ips that I can see.

I have a deck set up for LPR35 at 7.5 ips. It's for field recording and I wanted as much recording time as possible between reloads. It works pretty well for that.
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I know ,I read the specs on it also and don't think I need LPR35 for my Fostex A-2 ran at 15IPS cause that's the speed I like so......
 
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