used both maxell, and sony DDS tapes without a problem. well one, but it was my own stupid mistake of locking the tape. don't worry about the deck man... i phreaked too a month after i got mine back from pro digital, and it wouldn't play any tapes.. it just needed a cleaning tape. watch your hrs. if i dont' clean mine every 30 hrs or so it will start to get stupid like that... i always carry a cleaning tape to shows too, just in case... good luck.. +T