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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: ivanbambam on May 26, 2005, 09:15:38 PM

Title: tape bias question!!!!!! help!!!!!!!!
Post by: ivanbambam on May 26, 2005, 09:15:38 PM
i work primarily with a 1/2 inch 8track....otari mx 5050......and it's biased to use basf/emtec 911 tape.  i cant find this specific tape, it's no longer manufactured.  i have found some quantegy/gp 456.  i know (based from readings) that 911 and 456 are pretty similar although i've never used 456. 
the machine is due for a tune up with jrfmagnetics.  my question is.......should i get the machine biased to 456?  is it that much different?  i guess i should ask JRF.........but what do you guys think?  stock up on new fresh 456 tape?  or just get as much fresh/used 911 tape? 
i dont like getting used tape because i dont know if it will contaminate my freshly cleaned and tuned up machine. 
any info would be greatly appreciated.
Ivan.

 :) ;) :) ;) :) ;D :)
Title: Re: tape bias question!!!!!! help!!!!!!!!
Post by: neutrino on May 27, 2005, 12:11:31 PM
ivan-

Try posting your question on the electricalaudio.com web board. Electrical is Steve Albini's studio board which has a lot of analog multi-track users who may have some insight into you "biasing" concern. It's not that ts.com isn't any good for this question, but you may find contact with more analog multi-track users via Steve's board.
dB-
Title: Re: tape bias question!!!!!! help!!!!!!!!
Post by: heath on May 27, 2005, 12:19:38 PM
i work primarily with a 1/2 inch 8track....otari mx 5050......and it's biased to use basf/emtec 911 tape.  i cant find this specific tape, it's no longer manufactured.  i have found some quantegy/gp 456.  i know (based from readings) that 911 and 456 are pretty similar although i've never used 456. 
the machine is due for a tune up with jrfmagnetics.  my question is.......should i get the machine biased to 456?  is it that much different?  i guess i should ask JRF.........but what do you guys think?  stock up on new fresh 456 tape?  or just get as much fresh/used 911 tape? 
i dont like getting used tape because i dont know if it will contaminate my freshly cleaned and tuned up machine. 
any info would be greatly appreciated.
Ivan.

 :) ;) :) ;) :) ;D :)

my initial instinct is to tell you that you will be fine with your current biasing since the difference is not going to be that great, but I see no reason why you can't adjust your bias yourself for the 456.  I set bias about 3 times a week (i recalibrate my machines about 6 times a day).  Bias is really easy to set on most machines, although I can't say for sure on a MX5050 since I don't use one.  I hope this is somewhat useful to you.  Any other questions, feel free to bounce em off me/us.    8)
Title: Re: tape bias question!!!!!! help!!!!!!!!
Post by: heath on May 27, 2005, 12:22:21 PM
one question...have you been happy with the service and prices over at JRF?  I use someone else, and I find them to be superior.  Not going to start naming names, etc, but I have talked about this in the past, so some of you probably know who I recommend...

H
Title: Re: tape bias question!!!!!! help!!!!!!!!
Post by: Scooter on May 27, 2005, 12:27:56 PM
i work primarily with a 1/2 inch 8track....otari mx 5050......and it's biased to use basf/emtec 911 tape.  i cant find this specific tape, it's no longer manufactured.  i have found some quantegy/gp 456.  i know (based from readings) that 911 and 456 are pretty similar although i've never used 456. 
the machine is due for a tune up with jrfmagnetics.  my question is.......should i get the machine biased to 456?  is it that much different?  i guess i should ask JRF.........but what do you guys think?  stock up on new fresh 456 tape?  or just get as much fresh/used 911 tape? 
i dont like getting used tape because i dont know if it will contaminate my freshly cleaned and tuned up machine. 
any info would be greatly appreciated.
Ivan.

 :) ;) :) ;) :) ;D :)

my initial instinct is to tell you that you will be fine with your current biasing since the difference is not going to be that great, but I see no reason why you can't adjust your bias yourself for the 456.  I set bias about 3 times a week (i recalibrate my machines about 6 times a day).  Bias is really easy to set on most machines, although I can't say for sure on a MX5050 since I don't use one.  I hope this is somewhat useful to you.  Any other questions, feel free to bounce em off me/us.    8)


I agree, biasing is quite easy.  If you are handy, just do it yourself.  I run 1/4 track 5050, and it aint no big deal to adjust the bias...