question about cassette tape types?

[analog aaron]

Does "Chrome" and "high bias" mean the same thing? I had a local distributor in my area tell me they are. I can pick his generic tapes up at his shop for anywhere from $1.20 to 2.40 each depending on tape length. Anybody know for sure? I've never heard this before. I don't want to be using the wrong cassettes on my 238 when I get it (should be arriving soon- anxiously rubbing hands together!)
A.A.

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Does "Chrome" and "high bias" mean the same thing?

They mean the same thing as far as bias and equalization setting go, yes but every manufacturer has their own secret recipe when it comes to the names they give to their ingredients.

BASF, I believe, was the first manufacturer to coin their formulation as chromium dioxide then other companies came out with names like epitaxial, ferro-chrome and a few other catchy names but all of it basically boils down to the same thing as far as the tape working properly with standard type II calibration for cassette.

I'd advise you to stay away from no-name tape or names that might be out of the mainstream. TDK SA or Maxell XLII are safe, reliable formulations to stick to.

Cheers!

 

[Beck]

I'd advise you to stay away from no-name tape or names that might be out of the mainstream. TDK SA or Maxell XLII are safe, reliable formulations to stick to.

Yep, don't skimp on tape... tapes are not all created equal.

 

[analog aaron]

Yeah, I know......You guys are soooo right..."Don't skimp on tape"........ but this audio shop...well.... It's so close, I can walk to it. Ok nevermind. What's really weird is ........ This is the honest truth.... The ONLY place in orlando that I can find Type II cassettes........Believe it or not.............."Walgreens" ...I've gone to Walmart, K-Mart, CVS, Target and they don't even sell cassettes anymore...... NO ONE SELLS Type II Cassettee tape in ORLANDO, BUT WALGREENS! (90 Minutes for 3 bucks) Pretty Cheap now ain't it ?

 

[The Ghost of FM]

WALGREENS! (90 Minutes for 3 bucks) Pretty Cheap now ain't it ?

It's reasonable considering that's what they sold for 25 years ago too.

Cheers!

 

[jjones1700]

Yeah, I know......You guys are soooo right..."Don't skimp on tape"........ but this audio shop...well.... It's so close, I can walk to it. Ok nevermind. What's really weird is ........ This is the honest truth.... The ONLY place in orlando that I can find Type II cassettes........Believe it or not.............."Walgreens" ...I've gone to Walmart, K-Mart, CVS, Target and they don't even sell cassettes anymore...... NO ONE SELLS Type II Cassettee tape in ORLANDO, BUT WALGREENS! (90 Minutes for 3 bucks) Pretty Cheap now ain't it ?

I bought the last 4 Maxell XL-II tapes that the local Barnes & Noble had..........possibly in the entire country since the clerk informed me that they were supposed to be sent back years ago. I tried some other BN stores and it was a no go. I have noticed that the common availability is a thing of the past. The ones I do find seem to be the TDK (Type I) cassettes. It is starting to look like buying them online is going to be the only option.

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Places like Office Depot also sell them, oddly enough? The one next door to where I work sells Maxell XLII and has pretty decent inventory on them.

They are becoming less common for sure though.

Cheers!

 

[jjones1700]

Places like Office Depot also sell them, oddly enough? The one next door to where I work sells Maxell XLII and has pretty decent inventory on them.

They are becoming less common for sure though.

Cheers!

Hmmmm.........I'll have to head over there in the morning and check it out.

Okay dammit, it's midnight and I'm going to bed.

 

[Beck]

Yeah, I still see Maxell XLII in stores, but no 60-minute lately. I buy everything online these days. Buy a 10-pack of XLII from an online tape supply site or eBay. That's the easiest thing to do for me.

I never get in a situation where I have to run out to local store for tape anymore. OMG! I have so much tape; I guess I am the local store.

 

[A Reel Person]

...

http://www.totalmedia.com/default.asp?CID=-1&OID=-1&bustype=01

 

[cjacek]

Yup, like the guys say, buy online!

 

[Peck]

what's the difference

Why do you have to use type II? Does it make a huge difference?

 

[analog aaron]

I'm pretty sure most recorders use type II because that's what the heads were designed (set up for in terms of bias level) to use. Like you wouldn't put leaded gas in an engine that was designed for unleaded gas. Same thing.
A

 

[jjones1700]

Like you wouldn't put leaded gas in an engine that was designed for unleaded gas. Same thing.
A

Good example.

 

[Beck]

Why do you have to use type II? Does it make a huge difference?

Night and day difference. The biggest thing that Type I and Type II have in common is that they are both in Philips cassette shells. Any cassette will fit in any cassette recorder. That’s a bad thing in this post- analog age. It’s the little things that get ya.

 

[Dr ZEE]

The ONLY place in orlando ...?

here is some sort of orlando place: http://www.rmeinc.com/media_audio.aspx
and they also Hablamoso' Españoloso', for your pleasure if you need one
When I used to do a lot of cassette recordings I would order a box or two of bulk type-II tapes from 'local' dealers by mail (by phone, having a short conversation with not so friendly sales-rep from Brooklyn that is). You'd have to buy like 100/200 cassettes minimum, but they are dirt cheap that way, like $0.1-$0.8 a piece or so depending on length. As for quality, I never had any quality problems with tapes that has no freaking logos printed all over and bunch of other notes and promos around.
The problem of course is that you have no way to tell by looking at it by who/where it was made, all you can do is to trust the dealer. See if the place where you buy has some sort of history.

/best

 

[SteveM]

If you have any hip records stores down in Orlando you might want to check them out. Newbury Comics, Bullmoose Music? I don't know what you'd have down there but I can get 60 minute high bias Maxell tapes for 90 cents at Bullmoose. I've noticed that none of the big stores are selling them now too. It's a pity.

 

[analog aaron]

The problem of course is that you have no way to tell by looking at it by who/where it was made, all you can do is to trust the dealer. See if the place where you buy has some sort of history.

/best

Yeah, the place is called "Acts Audio" and they've been in the same building since the early 80's or so. They used to have a professional studio right next door called (strangely enough) "STUDIO Z" From what I've heard, this studio was huge in the 80's and anyone serious about recording would go there for studio time. Thanks for the tip on that other place. Looks like they sell Quantegy 456 as well.... The only thing is you have to buy at least 40 at once. And at 10bucks a pop, thats 400 bones.

 

[FALKEN]

wait....

theres a store in orlando selling quantegy for 10 bucks a pop? what kind of quantegy? I'll drive down there for that.

 

[analog aaron]

It's not a studio. It's some sort of store... Here's the link thanks to Dr. Zee.......

http://www.rmeinc.com/media_audio.aspx

Look under reel tape or something, you'll find it. You can't just buy a few reels though. Like I said 40 reels minimum. If I could buy less, I'd be there right now instead of being at work. Arghghghhh.
A