Tape recommendations

[Slammed56]

Hi Guys

Got some great news this morning from the lovely guys at Audio Related who have been servicing my Sony APR5003 machine. Work has started on it again and they are now looking for my tape choices , they usually setup with RMG 911 but as my Sony can be setup with various tapes in the presets I can select a few more choices
What are you all using ?
Is LPR 35 still a good choice for home recording ?
What about the SM900 ?

Thanks

[topoxforddoc]

Stuart,

The APR5003 allows you to store 3 presets for each of 3 tape speeds. You can either have 3.75/7.5/15 IPS or 7.5/15/30 IPS; there are some dip switches to change this in the head block. You have to undo the head block and the switches are on the under surface of the block. If you do remove the head block, just be very careful, as the multi-pin connector is uobtainable now.

I have set my machine up for RTM SM900, LPR90 and LPR35. LPR90 is meant to be a long play version of SM900 and LPR35 a long play version of SM911. The RTM tapes are widely available and have always been free of sticky shed. However, they LPR and SM version are subtly different if you look at the RTM spec sheets. Of course, the beauty of the APR5003 is that you can change the calibration very easily on the fly, using the software and the controls on the flip down front lid.

Charlie

[Slammed56]

Excellent Charlie , that’s the info I need
Can I ask if you have a preference for making your backup copy’s ?
I’ve got 10 or so tapes that I want to store away and make copy’s for everyday use

[topoxforddoc]

Stuart,

The tape stock depends on whether I can fit it onto standard play tape (SM 900. SM911, SM468 - 2500 ft = 33 mins 20 secs) or whether I need a long play tape (LPR90, LPR35 - 3600 ft = 48 mins).

Best wishes

Charlie

[Slammed56]

Has anyone bought any tape recently , if so , who from ?
Any UK suppliers selling LPR35 / LPR90

[337alant]

I buy pancakes and put them onto old but very good alloy reels
I buy from Thomann

https://www.thomann.de/gb/rtm_lpr_90_1_4_1100m_nab_pancake.htm?sid=bc8952102 69d12025f3f868125447043

Alan

[Slammed56]

That’s exactly what I’ve done this time Alan
Ordered some LPR90 and 35 yesterday , much cheaper than I expected buying the pancake
My only concern is the LPR35 seems to suggest it’s on a NAB kern

[Slammed56]

The tape is getting sent straight down to the Engineer who is finishing off the service/setup now
Really looking forward to getting it back home

[topoxforddoc]

Stuart,

I buy pancakes, which come on NAB kerns or hubs. I buy up old Ampex reels and boxes and swap out the empty NAB hub and put in the new pancake and NAB hub. Takes 2-3 mins and needs 2 screwdrivers.

Charlie

[337alant]

I use my Studer A810 to transfer a pancake to and alloy hub, If I press Trans and FF a couple of times I get a slow FF, its a bit scary but I have never had one come off the hub Kern yet
The old Ampex and better still Quantegy reels run really true, a few years ago there was loads of them for sale on ebay
I bought a few of the newer reels but found they are thinner or softer alloy and do not run true from new so for me are poor quality, so its pancakes every time now
Alan

[Slammed56]

Your a braver man than me Alan ,I don’t think my nerves could take transfering the pancake in that way :)
Most of the old reels I’ve bought have been warped unfortunately, I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for some of those Quantegy ones on the bay
My UPS delivery from Thomann was due to arrive today, it’s delayed till next Tuesday now ,which will delay the setup on the Sony...... feels like I’ll never get the thing back home at this rate

Being Furloughed again would have been the ideal opportunity for me to brush up on my recording skills but it just wasn’t meant to be

[topoxforddoc]

Stuart,
These look reasonable.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-10-10-5-AMPEX-406-NAB-HUB-METAL-REEL-TO-REEL-10-5-X-1-4-T0P-DRAW-CONDITION/274461822054?hash=item3fe7330c66:g:MpoAAOSwvSpakSi p
Good luck
Charlie

[337alant]

Or these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-X-Ampex-10-1-2-1-4-Reel-To-Reel-Recording-Tapes/193862853898?hash=item2d2320650a:g:M5QAAOSw64VgDaT G
Alan

[Slammed56]

Thanks Guys
Bought a few from the eBay seller last night

[Slammed56]

Pancake Tuesday :)
Another few reels arrived today , got to say I’m loving the sound of the LPR-90 guys

https://i.ibb.co/34MQCrN/98-E8-E78-E-0-AEB-4245-9175-377-FD2-DA57-DA.jpg (https://ibb.co/HBx3HFz)