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104.35.14.104
In Reply to: RE: RTR tape question posted by DRam on May 10, 2015 at 15:30:30
Yes. The short answer is that they are intended primarily for the studio or serious high end user. Half track, 15 ips or higher is probably the target audience for those tapes. But....
I can't think of any reason you couldn't use either tape aside from possible biasing issues on that machine. Both tapes *will* work, but you stand the chance of having a somewhat dull and flat sound because those are both high bias requirement tapes. So keep that in mind. The good news though is that you should be able to really run deep into the red without noticeable rolloff, saturation, or distortion.
I have not used SM-900 ( the proper brand name for current production is PYRAL. EMTEC and RMGI are now technically defunct; the latter is now a distributor in name only so now the oft used term of NOS has to apply to those names...just FYI), so I can't offer any first hand insight. My understanding is that it is a high end tape intended to compete with ATR, although what I've read seems to show some preference to the ATR brand.
I have however have used ATR Master on both my Teac X-2000R and it's half track sibling, the TASCAM 3030. On both machines, the tape sounded lovely and crystal clear. No major tweaking to any of the tone controls was needed.
The only *POSSIBLE* issue that may be of concern, and I say this not based on my experience, but that of others...is that with the thicker tapes, it *MIGHT* strain the capstan motor because of the extra torque and possibly not grab the tape as well, theoretically opening the door to slippage and azimuth mistracking. I personally feel that it's a remote at best concern. But I'm throwing it out there anyway.
3M # 996 is the "thickest" tape I know of in terms of how far a known, set footage will come to as far as how much it will fill a reel (a full 2400 of the stuff comes to within about an eighth of inch of the physical top of the reel), with both Quantegy #499 and GP9 being right there at almost the same level. ATR, unless it's changed recently, a full roll leaves about a quarter of inch room in the reel diameter. So if you've used any of those tapes with no problems, then I can't think of why ATR should be a cause for concern.
As I mentioned, I have not personally tried SM-900. But I have *SEEN* it firsthand. And a full roll leaves a heck of a lot more "room" in the reel, implying a somewhat thinner tape, which would imply it being less imposing on the decks motor transport.
So in short, I don't really think you have much to worry about. And if you prefer the shorter length tapes over long play, I'd say "go for it".
Follow Ups:
I'll try a pancake of each and compare.
Ok, will my RS 1500 have problems with these tapes?
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I don't think it would be an issue. But with that deck, who knows. I've always been perplexed by it's circuitous, serpentine tape path. Maybe someone who uses one of those can chime in.
The only Q I would have is the deck in question have enough bias current for 900. DRam did not mention which deck was intended for use. Some of the older decks can not put out enough bias current for 900. If that is not an issue, then would agree with the other posted comments.
my deck is an Akai GX636. I'll have find out what the bias current is, and if it's enough.
One indicator would be the bias table that is usually in the manual for the 636. Does this table show a bias setting for Scotch 250? This was a high bias tape back in the day. If not, then you likely won't be able to bias the deck for EMTEC 900.
Go for 911, which biases up very closely to the old ampex 456.
best
J
It does have a setting for Scotch 250. Thanks for the help.
good. just keep in mind that a 250 bias setting does not mean you'll be able to bias up 900. It means you may have a chance. If there were no bias setting for 250, then it would mean you would have a very slim chance of being able to bias up 900. Be sure to use a tone generator. If you don't have one, there is a good available for free in the trial version of ARTA software. If you under bias, you may end up with a rising top end (upper freq) which will wear on you. Will also depend on the range of the pot used to set the record EQ if the 636 has one. If you don't have a record EQ pot, or at a given bias setting you run out of room on the pot, then forget the the 1 db of over bias, and go for flat freq response at 15K @ 7 1/2 ips. Your deck should do that. Don't forget to do a fresh head demag too before attempting the bias setting. Good luck!
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