Voice Logging tape (e.g. Ampex 705) (what is the difference anyway????)

[Blue Jinn]

OK I just gotta know. My understanding is it has a thinner layer of oxide and is optimized for slow recording. But what does that translate to? Lower freq response to capture voice only?

I'm just so curious.

 

[Beck]

Data logging tape like 705 is optimized for low speed data recorders, which travel about four times slower than cassette tape. The base is thin at 0.8 mil and the oxide layer is one-third the thickness of 406, so the oxide is even a bit thinner than that of a decent cassette tape. It’s also lubricated to keep it moving steadily at such low speed. It’s just not designed for music recording. You wouldn’t want to use it for audio anymore than you’d want to use videotape. It only somewhat resembles audiotape because it comes on the same type of metal reel. But if you see it cheap enough… like a steal then grab it for the reel.