TP-028, Nat Adderley's Work Song is now available

Author Topic: Tape Speed  (Read 8916 times)

Offline cam3xl

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Tape Speed
« on: March 10, 2008, 10:45:48 AM »
I think this has a simple answer, but it will help me from a recording standpoint.  What are the sonic advantages to recording and playing at 15ips v.s. 7.5 ips ?  7.5 gives me over 2 hours on a single reel (in one direction).  This would allow me to keep it 2 track and dense.  What am I loosing?

The goal is to get some very clean copies of live double albums recorded with the best possible sound quality.  On one, maybe two reels. 

Be patient with me.  I am just starting this magnetic sickness.  :-)
Whatever sounds good,  Do that!

Peace,
Bhek

Pro-Ject Xpression 1, Denon DL-160 MC cart., Sony DVP-555ES SACD, Maple Tree Audio Ultra 4+ Pre, Audio Research D100 power, Onkyo Tuner, Otari 5050 IIB 2speed 2/4 track R2R.  Mirage OM-9.

Offline Danny Kaey

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Re: Tape Speed
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2008, 02:59:16 PM »
doubling of speed generally increases S/N ratio by about 3db, as does going from 1/4 track to 2 track... coupled with modern day quiet tape, a good EQ curve, you generate recordings that have hardly any audible hissssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss...

cheers,

D.
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Offline ironbut

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Re: Tape Speed
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2008, 05:34:02 PM »
Yeah, what he said,.. Increasing the tape speed will increase the potential high frequency response also. I say potential because your playback and record heads need to be biased or designed for those higher speeds to get the full benefit. There's been a good bit of talk about the "optimum" speed for magnetic tape and from what I've read, the benefits in the treble begin to compromise the bass response at 30 ips. There are some excellent papers available online regarding tape bias etc. on Jay McKnights website (MRL tape labs) which can get a little technical but worth reading even if your like me!
http://home.comcast.net/~mrltapes/
« Last Edit: April 17, 2009, 10:49:20 AM by ironbut »
steve koto
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Offline docb

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Re: Tape Speed
« Reply #3 on: March 10, 2008, 05:53:39 PM »
Early on we discussed putting Tape Project albums out at 20 ips. Of course we would have had to come up with machines that could play them back. Can you imagine how many complaints we would have heard?
Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
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Managing Director - retired, The Tape Project

Offline ironbut

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Re: Tape Speed
« Reply #4 on: March 10, 2008, 05:59:31 PM »
Oh boy! That would've been a fire storm. It is one hell of a jump from 15>30 ips though. Weren't there machines that ran @ 40 or 45 ips too?
steve koto
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