Tape Project Forum

Tape Machines => Reel to Reel Tape Machines => Topic started by: Capstan on April 12, 2011, 08:57:56 AM

Title: Ampex 456
Post by: Capstan on April 12, 2011, 08:57:56 AM

Hello,

Does a Ampex 456 mastering tape, match on a Revox B77 recorder ??

Title: Re: Ampex 456
Post by: ironbut on April 12, 2011, 11:10:00 AM

Hi Capstan (btw, we use our real names here on this forum, check out the "Forum Rules" for details),

Welcome to the forum. You can use just about any tape on any machine but to optimize the recording/playback performance, the machine should be adjusted for that tape formulation.
That said, I'm sure you've seen 456 tape for great prices on auction sites etc. Unfortunately, Ampex/Quantegy 456 is infamous for developing a problem known as Sticky Shed Syndrome (SS for short). SS renders the tape unusable for all practical purposes.
If the tape hasn't developed this problem, it will. If you'd like to read more about this issue, check out the posts located in the "Beginners Guide" located in a sticky above the General Forum.

I suggest that you use the tape that's in current production (RMGI or ATR Magnetics). You can purchase either from US Recording Media or eBay sources. Since there are only a couple of sources for "new" magnetic tape, I feel like we should support their efforts if possible otherwise we'll all be forced to buy tape from questionable sources (I'm sure that some of the folks who are selling doomed 456 know about SS but sell it just the same).

Title: Re: Ampex 456
Post by: Capstan on April 14, 2011, 04:04:53 AM

Quote from: ironbut on April 12, 2011, 11:10:00 AM

Hi Capstan (btw, we use our real names here on this forum, check out the "Forum Rules" for details),

Welcome to the forum. You can use just about any tape on any machine but to optimize the recording/playback performance, the machine should be adjusted for that tape formulation.
That said, I'm sure you've seen 456 tape for great prices on auction sites etc. Unfortunately, Ampex/Quantegy 456 is infamous for developing a problem known as Sticky Shed Syndrome (SS for short). SS renders the tape unusable for all practical purposes.
If the tape hasn't developed this problem, it will. If you'd like to read more about this issue, check out the posts located in the "Beginners Guide" located in a sticky above the General Forum.

I suggest that you use the that's in current production (RMGI or ATR Magnetics). You can purchase either from US Recording Media or eBay sources. Since there are only a couple of sources for "new" magnetic tape, I feel like we should support their efforts if possible otherwise we'll all be forced to buy tape from questionable sources (I'm sure that some of the folks who are selling doomed 456 know about SS but sell it just the same).

Ah Ok, thanks for the info

Title: Re: Ampex 456
Post by: ironbut on April 14, 2011, 01:08:30 PM

I forgot to mention it but if you check the B77 manual, it should have a list of the tapes that each setting on your machine is set for at the factory.

ftp://ftp.studer.ch/Public/Products/

You can also cross reference that to a chart that US Recording Media has for using current production tape.

http://usrecordingmedia.com/whtashius.html

There's lot of great info on their site some of which I've shamelessly stolen for use in the Beginners Guide (Ok'ed by Kurt @US Recording).