NOS tape and the tascam 388

  • Thread starter Thread starter mrobby
  • Start date Start date
M

mrobby

New member
Hi all, I recently got a 388 (been looking for one for years) and also now picked up a bunch of NOS tape ... my question is, in order to get the best results from the machine (other than the basic maintenance, which I know via working on my old Fostex machine), what differences and/or set up things do I need to address with these different tapes:

BASF LP35
Maxell UD 35-90
Scotch 207
Scotch Highlander 229

*I read a lot of the old posts and threads and got most of my NOS buying information from that - most recently I picked up a handful of still sealed Highlander 229, which I have yet to try on the 388. I guess I am curious to know how to hit the tape / watch levels based upon these four tapes ... though I will probably end up using mostly 207 I think ...
Thanks,
Mike R.
mikerobby@hotmail.com
 
i've never used the 229, but i thought maybe this was a low-print tape? i know 208 (1.5 mil) and 209 (1.0) mil were. the extra "2" designation would make me think it might be like a low-print version of 226 / 227? in which case, you may want to check for sticky on this one. hopefully not!

206 / 207 are great tapes. quantegy 407 would be good too. scotch 201 / 202 / 203 are my favorite tapes but probably too low-output for your deck.
 
388 and tape

well, the Scotch Highlander 229 is on the list of recommended tapes from "Beck" on the numerous threads -- it is non-backcoated , so I am pretty darn sure it will not have an sticky issues. But, that said, if my machine is mostly set up for Scotch 207, then I am wondering what I need to do if I run some reels of 229 on it for the best results ... I am thinking of using these for some demos, not looking for absolute best quality, but still ... like to know best practices with this tape stock.

I got lucky to find a big stash of Scotch 207, so I mostly use that - but I also have some BASF LP35 and some Maxell UD 35-90 ... so I am curious to hear from "Beck" or others on this forum about slight adjustments or how hard to hit these various tape stocks to get optimum results, saturation, etc. - and I should mention I really like that mid-fi, tape sag thing that the 388 offers ... I do like folky roots rock stuff and it seems to fit nicely with the style
-M ROBBY
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top