vetsdiggy
Joined: 27/10/05
Posts: 170
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Which tape to buy?
#982797 - 18/04/12 08:42 AM
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Hey all I'm about to buy some half inch tape to use with my 16 track fostex (b16). I'm looking at buying some RMGI tape as I hear good things. However looking
at the distributors and the RMGI website, I notice that there are two types of half inch
tape ( 900 and 911). .... http://www.rmgi.eu/rmgi.asp?Id=3I can read the
differences, but I'm still a little in the dark as to which is the best for me to go
for? Standard bias 911 , or high output 900? I will be using it to
record 16 previously mixed stems to, then back out onto the computer as a stereo file. Thanks for any help! Steve
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Hugh Robjohns
SOS Technical Editor
Joined: 25/07/03
Posts: 18526
Loc: Worcestershire
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Re: Which tape to buy?
[Re: vetsdiggy]
#982817 - 18/04/12 09:51 AM
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The B16 was originally specified to use Ampex 456 tape (see specs on page 2): http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/downloads/pdfs/b16_owners_manual.p
dfThe RMGi nearest equivalent to Ampex 456 is type RMGi SM911: http://usrecordingmedia.com/1oprereta1.htmlSo that is
probably the best place to start... but ideally you should have the machine properly
aligned and optimised for the SM911 if you expect to get something back off tape that
sounds like what went in  hugh
-------------------- Technical Editor, Sound On Sound
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vetsdiggy
Joined: 27/10/05
Posts: 170
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Re: Which tape to buy?
[Re: Hugh Robjohns]
#982869 - 18/04/12 01:05 PM
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hey Hugh!
Thanks for that!
I'll go for that one then.....
The machine is in great nik and the heads are great. As I understand there are no
separate record and play heads.... So do I still need to 're-aligne' the machine?
If
so how?
Or do I need to calibrate it?
How do I best do that?
Or should I
just give it someone who knows?
Thanks Hugh
Steve
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Hugh Robjohns
SOS Technical Editor
Joined: 25/07/03
Posts: 18526
Loc: Worcestershire
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Re: Which tape to buy?
[Re: vetsdiggy]
#982878 - 18/04/12 01:55 PM
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Quote vetsdiggy:
I'll go for that
one then.....
Good plan! I
use it myself and it is good and reliable tape.
Quote:
As I understand there are no separate record and
play heads.... So do I still need to 're-aligne' the machine?
Ideally, yes. Different tape formulations,
and even different batches of the same formulation, have slightly (or radically) different
characteristics, and so to get the best possible performance it is necessary to adjust and
fine tune the record level, record EQ, bias, replay level and replay EQ. The machine will
still work if you don't, but you won't be getting the best performance (noise level,
distortion and HF response) and there may well be a very audible change in quality between
the source sound and when replayed off tape.
A three-head machine (with
separate rec and rep heads) makes it quicker and easier to align because you can adjust
the record side in real time while listening off the replay head. On a two head machine
like the B16 it's a lot slower and very tedious because you have to record a test signal
then rewind and play it back, noting the results, then tweak the record settings and
repeat until you get it right!
Quote:
If so how?
This is one of those 'if you need to ask' type of answers. Aligning tape machiens
isn't that complicated, but it does require a level of technical knowledge and some
critical test equipment and reference test tapes. These things are relatively expensive
and you are probably better off finding someone with the required experience, knowledge
and equipment to align the machine for you.
Here are some articles that discuss
tape machine maintenance to ive an idea of what is involved:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_articles/may97/analysinganalogue.html
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_articles/may97/tapemaintenance.html
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov07/articles/qa1107_5.htm
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar10/articles/taperecorderadvice.htm<
br />
hugh
--------------------
Technical Editor, Sound On Sound
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James Perrett
Joined: 10/09/01
Posts: 9705
Loc: The wilds of Hampshire
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Re: Which tape to buy?
[Re: vetsdiggy]
#982915 - 18/04/12 04:50 PM
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While Hugh has posted a few useful links, one of the best places to look is in the manual
for the Fostex as they go through the procedure fairly thoroughly (or at least the E16
manual does). If you want to exchange tapes with other studios you need to use a test tape
to set up the replay side of things first but, if this is just for your own use, you might
get away with just aligning the record side. James.
-------------------- JRP Music - Audio Mastering and Restoration.
http://www.jrpmusic.net
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vetsdiggy
Joined: 27/10/05
Posts: 170
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Re: Which tape to buy?
[Re: James Perrett]
#982928 - 18/04/12 06:05 PM
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Hey!
Thanks both.
Yes this will just be for our own use.
I believe I have
the manual, so that can be my first port of call.
I'll check the links too!
Thanks for your help!
I'll let you know how I get on....
Steve
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Hugh Robjohns
SOS Technical Editor
Joined: 25/07/03
Posts: 18526
Loc: Worcestershire
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Re: Which tape to buy?
[Re: James Perrett]
#983019 - 19/04/12 09:36 AM
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Quote James Perrett:
... one of
the best places to look is in the manual for the Fostex as they go through the procedure
fairly thoroughly (or at least the E16 manual does).
I linked to the manual above:
http://www.fostexinternational.com/docs/downloads/pdfs/b16_owners_manual.p
df
It's not very thorough, but it does cover basic alignment in the last
couple of pages -- and at least it tells you how to access the relevant tweeks. However,
it assumes a lot of prior knowledge about what to look for when aligning bias etc, so
those other articles I suggested might still be helpful.
hugh
--------------------
Technical Editor, Sound On Sound
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James Perrett
Joined: 10/09/01
Posts: 9705
Loc: The wilds of Hampshire
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Re: Which tape to buy?
[Re: Hugh Robjohns]
#983120 - 19/04/12 03:30 PM
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Just realised that I was thinking of the E16 service manual which is much more thorough
than the E16 user manual (which, in turn, is slightly better than the B16 user manual). James.
-------------------- JRP Music - Audio Mastering and Restoration.
http://www.jrpmusic.net
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