Quantegy 478: how good ?

[david winter]

Hi,

I put a hand on a couple Quantegy 478 reels. I usually use PER528, Rmgi LGR35 and Maxell XL35 but don't know about the 478. Is it bias compatible ? Is it a +3 or +6 ? How thick (in microns if possible) ?

Thanks in advance,

David

 

[Beck]

It's a low print tape. People use it with Nagra for dialog.

Technically it's a +3 class tape, but is really a bit more.

Bias compatible with 456/406

52.2 Microns total thickness

Not the best for music, but ok.

 

[themaddog]

I've got a couple of reels of it. I used it once to mix down to in order to make the program material sound older, more "lo-fi" and '50s sounding, as well as recording it at 7.5 ips instead of 15 ips. I was satisfied with the results.

Other than for effect, I wouldn't use this kind of tape.

-MD

 

[trancedental]

Doh! I was under the impression that 478 was just a low noise version of 406???????

Got an unused reel of this to use up someday!!!!

 

[david winter]

Thanks for your infos. As I only record classical music I'll have to dispose of them or eventually include them with a machine when I have one for sale. One is a complete reel, another is 80% complete (I added some tape to make it 730m or so) and the last one is a mixture of various 478s to fit a 10.5" reel.

By the way, what's the best tape for recording music ? I don't have a studio but only record either on my Nagra, or radio using my Revox. Sometimes I record excellent LPs or even 78s.

Thanks !