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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: Patrick on April 17, 2005, 06:05:57 PM

Title: Maxell DDS Tape Questions
Post by: Patrick on April 17, 2005, 06:05:57 PM

Looking on the D7/D8 resource page (www.rockpark.com/d7 (http://www.rockpark.com/d7)), I noticed some arguments saying that using a tape labled DDS will destroy your heads quicker than other tapes.  (I guess DDS means that the tape is intended for data purposes).

Is this true?  I bought a few Maxell HS-4 90m tapes, because I have seen that brand used in the field on many occasions, but will is be harmful to my heads? Should I look into another brand/type of tape?

Thanks for the help!

Title: Re: Maxell DDS Tape Questions
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 17, 2005, 06:14:06 PM

fwiw, ive only used audio dats a few times, i ALWAYS used either kao gold dds tapes or maxell 60/90meter dds tapes, you should be fine bud!

Title: Re: Maxell DDS Tape Questions
Post by: Patrick on April 17, 2005, 06:48:51 PM

yeah, I mainly run JB3 because of the practicality factor, but I am looking forward to running a DAT.

Thanks Bean +t.

Title: Re: Maxell DDS Tape Questions
Post by: F.O.Bean on April 17, 2005, 07:57:42 PM

no problem man!

+T backatcha!

Title: Re: Maxell DDS Tape Questions
Post by: admkrk on April 17, 2005, 09:32:24 PM

you should have no problems w/ the hs-4/90s. the problems come up w/ useing longer tapes imo. i just burned up 1/2 a box or so at wannee and alls good. i used basf 124s for mule, but that was a timing issue and had nothing to do w/ the type of tape.

Title: Re: Maxell DDS Tape Questions
Post by: OOK on April 17, 2005, 11:47:41 PM

Here are some secrets I was told........the tape used in  dats and DDS tapes are the same............but believe it or not how the tapes are loaded in to the shells are different......I mean done in different places.......Dat tapes are loaded in a regular facility such as a factory......But DDS tapes are loaded in a dust free enviorment because of their use in computers......other than that the tape formulations are the same........I have exclusivly used DDS tapes and never had a problem.............I take care of my stuff.......I clean my head on a scheduled basis....I don't expose my M1 to funky enviorments................Its in a case when not in use...bla bla bla.....no issues
I was also told its because of the "RIAA" that DATS are more expensive than DDS tapes.......sort of the same reason music cdrs are more expensive that data disc.................for ever DATand music cdr is sold they get their cut......

Title: Re: Maxell DDS Tape Questions
Post by: Mark on April 18, 2005, 09:55:21 AM

I heard that non-DDS DAT's have a thicker shell, and more sturdy, not sure if it's true.
I exclusively run Maxell tapes in my D7.  I no longer run the Sony DGP series tapes due to load issues.  Not a single problem with Maxell in many years.

Title: Re: Maxell DDS Tape Questions
Post by: hexyjones on April 18, 2005, 10:04:50 AM

Just use them...this is argument is soooooo old...since the dawn of DAT - this has been debated forever...

If there was "something" about them - we would know for sure by now...