Which cassette tape brand do you recommend?

[overseas]

I'm overseas (hence the name), and it's surprisingly hard to come by high quality cassette tape for my TASCAM 488mkII. I don't want to use anything but the best, but apparently I'll have to order it. Long ago, I used to use Maxel XLII exclusively, but I'd like input from othersd. Which do you recommend?

Maxell XLII high-bias (chromium dioxode) 60-minute
Maxell UD " " " " " " " " " "
TDK SA60 " " " " " " " " " "
TDK SA-X60 " " " " " " " "

What are the differences, or are they negligable?

Thanks in advance

Bruce

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo WAY Overseas:

I've always had good results with SONY Pro=Cassette tape.

Make sure you stick with 60 minute tapes as stated in the 488 manual.


If you can get the Sony Pro cassette, it has a ceramic tape wheel and runs quiet.

Green Hornet

 

[overseas]

Never heard of it, ...

...but I'll give it a shot.

Thanks for the heads-up!

Bruce

 

[overseas]

SONY Pro cassette?

I looked all over the internet to try to find this, but I had absolutely no luck. Where can I get it?

Also, do you know anything about the actually tape formulation and how it compares to Maxell XLII and TDK SA-series cassettes?

Thanks!

Bruce

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Overseas Bruce:]:]

Sony has a way, like Yamaha, of changing things without notice.

I'm looking at a cassette still packaged and here is the title:

SONY UX-PRO HIGH BIAS.

If you can't find that label, get the Sony tape which states it is "ideal for CD."

One last resort try: Call: 1800-221-8180,,,ext.1023

Ask for "Alex" a salesperson for J & R Music World, etc.


Ask him if he has any Sony UX Pro Cassette tape left; if not, get the Sony CD tape -- of course, 60 minute tapes for your 488.


Happy sailing,
Viva Chicago
Green Hornet

 

[SBax]

Quantegy 472 is the best, period. The company used to be Ampex. The Quantegy 472 tape is the same tape Ampex used for their 472 16 ips pro recording multitrack tapes. I've tried many different brands and types and the test I used was how much tape dust was left on the head after recording. Quantegy = 0. The TDK Multitrack Studio Master has lots of tape dust on the head. The Maxell Studio Tape MS-30 or MS-60 was much better than the TDK.

Most important, never, ever buy multitrack cassette tapes longer than 60 min. Never. Higher than 60 minutes means a thinner tape. The thinner tape will stretch and the media will lose adhesion.

 

[overseas]

Thanks ...and is it AVAILABLE?

I honestly thought that Quantegy was strictly an open-reel format. I didn't realize they made cassettes.

Are these available? I've NEVER seen them.

Thanks to you and Green Hornet for the info!

Bruce in Korea

 

[zagrad]

Well I don't know how... But I just had 2 FUJI tapes..... they gave just enormous hiss!!!! also strange squirching sounds came out of my recorder and the recordings were just totally fucked..... So I can just recommend you to NOT use FUJI

I get the best results with TDK, but I'm no expert so maybe it's just not the best, but for me it is...

greetz

 

[overseas]

Point taken ... AVOID FUJI, EVERYONE!

Thanks, zagrad! I'll definitely remember to NOT try that particular brand.

Now that I've done a bit more reseach, it seems that the way to go is with the Quantegy 472 60-minute cassettes.

Bruce in Korea

P.S. You might want to thoroughy clean your machine now! OUCH!

 

[zagrad]

Re: Point taken ... AVOID FUJI, EVERYONE!

P.S. You might want to thoroughy clean your machine now! OUCH!

indeed, I will

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo and Yea, Verily:

I bought some Quantegy tape because it was the old Ampex company; however, the cassettes have noisy spindles whereas the Sony tape I mentioned has ceramic spindles that are very quiet. I don't know if that spindle noise transfers but it is a pain to play them and listen to the squeaks.

Whatever works. TKD tape is good, as well as several others.

What ever happened to Memorex? [It lost its memory?] Yeah, I know, BAD joke.

Green Hornet

 

[beyond_therapy]

sony UXD TDK SA

for many years i have used TDK SA In my 4 track But after reading the posts this week i went out and brought a box of sony UXD and to my ears the sound had more bit and punch to it, then the TDK i was quiet happy with the results, my advice would be try as many different brands of tape as you can, some will sound good some will sound shit, but when you find a winner stick with it.


beyont_therapy

 

[Gargamel]

Don't buy tape.....go digital!

 

[zagrad]

Give me money and I will go digital....

 

[Link]

I was always told that the TDK SA's have the flattest response of any cassette. I've always got pretty even response with them when I've been mixing stuff down to them for a reference to listen to in the car. Not too sure bout the TDK SA-X tho

`Link

 

[Gargamel]

Give me money and I will go Pro Tools!

 

[overseas]

digital

Yeah, it would be nice to go digital, and I was sorta there once (Roland vs880ex - had to sell it before going overseas), but I'm trying to fight the urge to be a gear slut and just go with what I have. I'm just making demos for myself, but I want them to be as good as humanly possible with the gear that I have. If I keep focusing on "Gotta get THIS, and oh, but wait, I GOTTA have that... and whoa, COOL, put me down for one of those!.... ad nauseum... I'll never get anything recorded. C'mon, all you guys and gals here - YOU KNOW THE DEAL!

Anyway,....

You know, it's really funny how no one here has really commented on Maxell XLII high Position tape yet, except in passing. Anyone?

Oh, and Green Hornet: Radio Shack bought out Memorex a while back, thought they still market the tapes under the Memorex name.

Bruce in Korea

 

[zagrad]

You are completely right ... I am happy with what I have too...

And about Maxell XLII high Position: They are almost as good as TDK, but I think I get a little bit better results with TDK..... I am not too sure though...

greetz

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Gargamellow:

Have you ever tried selling pencils? Or, tele-marketing? Or doing windows?

If you need cash, you need to work.

Green Hornet

 

[overseas]

Sony? Quantegy? Maxell? TDK?

Well.... choices, choices, choices.....

The Quantegy seems like a good tape - their site gives EXTENSIVE specs, too, but I'm also taking into account Green Hornet's comments. Right now, I'm leaning on going with the Sony, but if possible, I'd really like to get an in-depth opinion about the Maxell XLII before I decide. Has anyone else out there ever done a tape-to-tape comparison?

Of course, I'd experiment and do all of this myself, but as I said in my initial post, I'm in Korea, and there just isn't any good tape to be found ... ANYWHERE. I'll have to order it, so obviously I want to get what I feel will be the best I can possibly get. (This is for my TASCAM 488-MKII, btw.)

Thanks for all the responses so far... the plot narrows

Bruce in Korea

P.S. Green Hornet? I seem to remember a TV series by that name waaaaaaaaaay back in the 60's when I was wee little whipper snapper