PDA

View Full Version : Suppliers of new R2R tape..............?



bob4333
30-05-2017, 17:56
Well, it's in the title really. Sale agreed today and I will soon be the owner of an Akai GX 635D.

Probably lots of questions to follow, but can anyone offer some guidance on tape suitability and where to get it from?

First dip into the pool of R2R. I'd like to source new tape and stay away from old or used.

Was TDK SA ever supplied on 10.5" reels? Seem to remember it worked well on cassette.

Ali Tait
30-05-2017, 18:50
Try Thomann-

https://m.thomann.de/gb/rtm_lpr_90_1_4_1100m_nab_pancake.htm?o=0&search=1496170150

There is also ATR tape for a bit more.

Ali Tait
30-05-2017, 18:52
You'll need to buy some empty reels too if you don't get some with the deck, and also NAB adaptors.

bob4333
31-05-2017, 07:18
Thanks for the link, I didn't know Thomann stocked this stuff, just know them for guitars and amps so that's very useful.

NABs come with the deck which is lucky as most seem to be stripped and sold separately. It also has a couple of 10.5" reels thrown in to get started so are probably of indeterminate quality. They're certainly not a matched pair.

Is there any make of tape to beware of........?

Cas
31-05-2017, 08:13
Try TapeCity as well, I go between them and Thomann as one will always be cheaper than the other.

http://www.tapecity.co.uk

I use the LPR35 tape and find its quality very good, this is all brand new manufactured tape, as is the SM900 which I have never used.

Beware of what is called New Old stock, but others here maybe able to guide you on that as I am not sure about it myself and have
never purchased any.

Nice piece of kit you have got yourself there :)

Cas
31-05-2017, 08:32
Try Thomann-

https://m.thomann.de/gb/rtm_lpr_90_1_4_1100m_nab_pancake.htm?o=0&search=1496170150

There is also ATR tape for a bit more.

This link goes to what is known as a Pancake it comes without a reel, it is a cheaper way to buy tape but you will have to get it onto a reel.

I find the easiest way is to take apart a metal reel, undo the three screws this leaves you with the three parts, Two side plates and the center spool.

Just replace the center spool with the pancake screw back together and away you go, well besides adding leader tape if you require.
Tape splicers and splicing blocks can be found on Ebay, Tapecity sell leader tape and the leader splicing tape as do Thomann.

Becarefull if you buy the pancakes as you do not want it to fall apart, not had one do it yet.

Ali Tait
31-05-2017, 09:12
Yep that's what I do, considerably cheaper than buying it on the reel.

Ali Tait
31-05-2017, 09:13
BTW Bob, a good idea to get some head cleaner and a demagnitiser. Regular use of these really makes a difference to a regularly used deck.

bob4333
31-05-2017, 12:46
This link goes to what is known as a Pancake it comes without a reel, it is a cheaper way to buy tape but you will have to get it onto a reel.

I find the easiest way is to take apart a metal reel, undo the three screws this leaves you with the three parts, Two side plates and the center spool.

Just replace the center spool with the pancake screw back together and away you go, well besides adding leader tape if you require.
Tape splicers and splicing blocks can be found on Ebay, Tapecity sell leader tape and the leader splicing tape as do Thomann.

Becarefull if you buy the pancakes as you do not want it to fall apart, not had one do it yet.

I've watched a vid on pancakes and it does look logical providing you're careful. Thanks for the tip.


BTW Bob, a good idea to get some head cleaner and a demagnitiser. Regular use of these really makes a difference to a regularly used deck.

I was contemplating Isopropyl Alcohol for head cleaning. Any steers on demagnetisers?

With the exception of cassette back in the 70's / 80's I'm new to all this and soaking up knowledge like a sponge. It's an itch I've been longing to scratch for the last couple of years or so, but there's a lot of overpriced mediocrity out there.

There does seem to be a refreshingly wide selection of new tape available. I'm trying to find something that says "This is the tape to use with an Akai 635D". I remember from the cassette days that some tapes worked better than others.........

Ali Tait
31-05-2017, 13:20
I just kept an on ebay and bought an old secondhand demag that came up. New ones seem to go for silly prices.

Just seen these new ones though, will do the job fine-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Analogue-Studio-Reel-to-Reel-Tape-Head-Demagnetiser-/391489290702?hash=item5b269481ce:g:jKIAAOSw-vlVjV6b

Ali Tait
31-05-2017, 13:22
Dunno if you are aware of Tape Heads, good forum with lots of info/ knowledge-

http://www.tapeheads.net/forumdisplay.php?f=4

Cas
31-05-2017, 13:37
I was contemplating Isopropyl Alcohol for head cleaning.

Thats it, I got mine from Amazon, Isopropyl Alcohol 100%

bob4333
31-05-2017, 14:22
I just kept an on ebay and bought an old secondhand demag that came up. New ones seem to go for silly prices.

Just seen these new ones though, will do the job fine-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Analogue-Studio-Reel-to-Reel-Tape-Head-Demagnetiser-/391489290702?hash=item5b269481ce:g:jKIAAOSw-vlVjV6b

Thanks for that. One less for sale now.


Dunno if you are aware of Tape Heads, good forum with lots of info/ knowledge-

http://www.tapeheads.net/forumdisplay.php?f=4

Yes, I registered with Tapeheads a while ago but haven't spent too much time there. That's likely to change now............

337alant
31-05-2017, 17:21
The RTM LPR-35 and better still the new LPR-90 is excellent tape and is the long play version of the SM-911 and SM-900 studio master tapes

I allways buy pancakes and just run them onto good reels
I was put off paying the extra for the tape with metal reels when I found the new metal reels to be really poor quality with the RMGI tapes.
so now I buy good quality old alloy reels from ebay which cost less and are better quality and run true, just throw away the tape if there is any on it.
Example
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/QUANTEGY-406-NAB-HUB-METAL-REEL-TO-REEL-10-5-X-1-4-/281935717086
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-5-AMPEX-406-NAB-HUB-METAL-REEL-TO-REEL-10-5-X-1-4-T0P-DRAW-CONDITION/272171569625?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%2 6asc%3D44293%26meid%3D2118aa99071f4cfa842dcd160bf0 f533%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dp p%26sd%3D122479430984

Ali Tait
31-05-2017, 18:52
Yes worth keeping an eye out. I was lucky enough to get two boxes of 10 metal reels for 30 quid per box.

topoxforddoc
31-05-2017, 22:52
I have bought over 100 pancakes/reels of new tape from RTM/RMGi over the last 2 years - differing tape tape types - SM911, SM900, LPR35, LPR90 - all have been excellent on my studio machines. These have come from either TapeCity or Thomann, depending on availability and price.

Personally I wold stay away from NOS tape on **ay. It's a bit of a crapshoot there - some tapes are great and some might be frankly less than satisfactory.

Charlie

Cas
01-06-2017, 13:47
Tapecity are selling 3608' LPR35 pancakes £5 cheaper than Thomann, just ordered myself some.

337alant
01-06-2017, 14:49
Yes worth keeping an eye out. I was lucky enough to get two boxes of 10 metal reels for 30 quid per box.

Thats a bargain Ali
I have been buying the Quantegy 406 reels I linked to above but get them for £10 each the ones I receive were virtually brand new, some come with tape and some without but I just bin the tape anyway as it all had sticky shed

Alan

337alant
01-06-2017, 14:58
I have bought over 100 pancakes/reels of new tape from RTM/RMGi over the last 2 years - differing tape tape types - SM911, SM900, LPR35, LPR90 - all have been excellent on my studio machines. These have come from either TapeCity or Thomann, depending on availability and price.

Personally I wold stay away from NOS tape on **ay. It's a bit of a crapshoot there - some tapes are great and some might be frankly less than satisfactory.

Charlie

Agree Charlie and its normally cheaper to buy a pancake and an old metal reel than it is to buy NOS tape or used old tape.
I have had some nice Maxel LXi over the years if its going at a good price and this tape doesn't suffer from sticky shed and the metal reels are excellent.

Alan

Cas
01-06-2017, 15:43
Thats a bargain Ali
I have been buying the Quantegy 407 reels I linked to above but get them for £10 each the ones I receive were virtually brand new, some come with tape and some without but I just bin the tape anyway as it all had sticky shed

Alan

Can I ask where you are getting those reels for £10 each ?

337alant
01-06-2017, 15:57
These are the spools I bought and I bought 20 and got a deal off the supplier but that was about 9 months ago
They are excellent reels though
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/QUANTEGY-406-NAB-HUB-METAL-REEL-TO-REEL-10-5-X-1-4-/281935717086
Alan

Arkless Electronics
01-06-2017, 16:06
I believe the French in particular and our Euro cousins in general used to actually use the tape on the machine for recording and playing in pancake form.... or maybe it had only the bottom of the spool...?

337alant
01-06-2017, 16:50
Jez
They were known as AEG DIN or bobby plates / hubs

http://www.soundfan.it/en/tapes.html

Alan

Arkless Electronics
01-06-2017, 16:56
Jez
They were known as AEG DIN or bobby plates / hubs

http://www.soundfan.it/en/tapes.html

Alan

Thanks Alan. Yes that's the thing. Also apparently known as "pancake plates"...

Cas
01-06-2017, 17:34
These are the spools I bought and I bought 20 and got a deal off the supplier but that was about 9 months ago
They are excellent reels though
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/QUANTEGY-406-NAB-HUB-METAL-REEL-TO-REEL-10-5-X-1-4-/281935717086
Alan

Yes I know the seller, I have purchased quite a few other types of reels from him.

Thanks.

bob4333
02-06-2017, 08:55
Tapecity are selling 3608' LPR35 pancakes £5 cheaper than Thomann, just ordered myself some.

Just ordered a couple of pancakes from Tapecity, and 5 metal reels are on their way from the ebay seller in Brum plus a demagnetiser from Analogue Seduction. Accessorising this interest doesn't come cheap does it....?

Akai deck due in next Friday via DHL. Time seems to be slowing down just now ............... still, it's a lesson in patience.

Ali Tait
02-06-2017, 09:10
It will be worth the wait. :-)

Ali Tait
02-06-2017, 09:12
Thats a bargain Ali
I have been buying the Quantegy 406 reels I linked to above but get them for £10 each the ones I receive were virtually brand new, some come with tape and some without but I just bin the tape anyway as it all had sticky shed

Alan

Yes was lucky to get them for that price. Shame I hadn't seen them earlier as he had 20 boxes for sale..

337alant
03-06-2017, 06:26
It will be worth the wait. :-)
Yes +1

Alan

Cas
03-06-2017, 23:59
Just ordered a couple of pancakes from Tapecity, and 5 metal reels are on their way from the ebay seller in Brum plus a demagnetiser from Analogue Seduction. Accessorising this interest doesn't come cheap does it....?

Akai deck due in next Friday via DHL. Time seems to be slowing down just now ............... still, it's a lesson in patience.

You wait till you hear the SQ from the machine it will be worth every penny your spending :)

bob4333
09-06-2017, 05:21
Deck's arrived, NABs on the way by separate courier.

Tape ordered from Tapecity a week ago. Do they normally take a while to deliver? Have emailed them for an update but nothing back yet......

337alant
09-06-2017, 07:52
I bought my last lot of LPR90 from Thomman and the delivery was quick, Tape city has a cheaper price but there was a note that they didnt have any in stock

Alan

bob4333
09-06-2017, 08:30
Thanks Alan, I didn't see any note when I ordered but that may be down to me. I need to give them a call.

bob4333
09-06-2017, 09:07
Yes, seems like Tapecity have been waiting 6-8 weeks for a delivery from the French manufacturers. Tapecity man said "expecting it next week, but can't confirm it today as the French shut down on Fridays".

Just ordered some from Thomann who indicate they have them, and ordered a few extra in case the Pound goes into meltdown.

From the conversation I'd be perfectly happy to buy them from Tapecity when they're in stock.

bob4333
12-06-2017, 09:55
3 x RTM LPR 90 1/4" 1100m NAB Pancake's ordered from Thomann (Germany) on Friday, delivered this morning (Monday) at about 10:30.

You can't say fairer than that: even the Royal Mail postie was smiling! :)

topoxforddoc
12-06-2017, 14:12
excellent tape - LPR 90 :)

Cas
13-06-2017, 07:34
Yes, seems like Tapecity have been waiting 6-8 weeks for a delivery from the French manufacturers. Tapecity man said "expecting it next week, but can't confirm it today as the French shut down on Fridays".

Just ordered some from Thomann who indicate they have them, and ordered a few extra in case the Pound goes into meltdown.

From the conversation I'd be perfectly happy to buy them from Tapecity when they're in stock.

After I ordered my tapes they rang me to say they had delivery issues and did I mind waiting, I told them it was OK no rush.

If it goes on too long though then I will ring and cancel.

Thing is Thomann are dearer and then on top their delivery charges.

337alant
13-06-2017, 07:38
A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush :eyebrows::D

Alan