Tascam 424 Tape Type

[beatlebum13]

Kinda new to this but see that everyone here is loaded with useful tidbits so here goes. I interested in getting a Tascam 424 (either MkII or III) to build a lo-fi project studio. I'm trying to clear up the confusion on what type of tapes to use. I remember the manual suggested Type II, High Bias. I've been browsing the web and found several places that sell blank cassette tapes (no brand name listed) but they are shown as "Chrome/Chrome Plus, High Bias, Type II". I emailed one of the companies and they were no help in distinguishing what all that meant. In a nut shell, can you use "Chrome" tapes? Are they different then what are referred to as "metal" tapes? Is it better to go with name brand i.e. TDK, etc. or are these online retailer's versions okay? I understand all the time restraints with recording 4-track, so it's just clearing up the type of tape I need. Thanks.

 

[statikant]

Hi,

I don't pretend to know anything about the difference between metal and chrome tapes, if any. Maybe someone else could pitch in here specifically.

However over about 15 years I used a tascam 244, yamaha mt4x and a fostex 280 all with Chrome type II tapes from TDK and got as good results as I think you can expect from a compact cassette recorder. The really important thing for me was keeping the heads CLEAN, regularly with isopropyl alchohol, something like once a week for heavy use. And demagnetised frequently. Also never use a tape length longer than 60mins (normal speed) as they stretch and become ureliable. Never record at the very beginnning of a tape either as from experience I notice that the first 10cm or so can be unreliable sonically.

Hope some of this is of help, forgive me if I'm telling you what you already know, and good luck with your project. I certainly had a great time recording with this kind of gear even if it is outmoded. I still have a couple of classic 4 track recorders in the setup and occassionally load some dusty old tape from the 'the big box' to see what's on it and sometimes I'm surprised at how good it sounds.

 

[TASCAM MAN]

Kinda new to this but see that everyone here is loaded with useful tidbits so here goes. I interested in getting a Tascam 424 (either MkII or III) to build a lo-fi project studio. I'm trying to clear up the confusion on what type of tapes to use. I remember the manual suggested Type II, High Bias. I've been browsing the web and found several places that sell blank cassette tapes (no brand name listed) but they are shown as "Chrome/Chrome Plus, High Bias, Type II". I emailed one of the companies and they were no help in distinguishing what all that meant. In a nut shell, can you use "Chrome" tapes? Are they different then what are referred to as "metal" tapes? Is it better to go with name brand i.e. TDK, etc. or are these online retailer's versions okay? I understand all the time restraints with recording 4-track, so it's just clearing up the type of tape I need. Thanks.

Yes you are on the right track ...most all cassette portastudios recommend chrome/high bias tape.Thats what I always used on all of my cassette recorders with great results,plenty headroom and no tape hiss with the built in DBX or Dolby NR. So Id recommend using the Dolby are DBX on the multitrack units. But Ive always mixed down to either high speed reel to reel with no noise reduction or my 3 head JVC master 2TK deck without noise reduction and recorded at HOT levels and no noticible distortion are tape hiss !!! Ive got mixes on TDK and MAXELL High bias tape that are like 25 yrs. old that still sounds as freash as when I mixed em and super crispy clear !!! Hope this helps