"Hi-Fi" or "Music Grade" type I cassettes

[NAD613]

It finally dawned on me why some type I cassettes sound so much better than others. The old Sony HF-S & the Akai SX type I tapes sound almost as good as many type II tapes. I used to buy the Sony HF-S tapes in the early 90's because they sounded so good & were reasonably priced.

Last night, I noticed on the wrapper of an Akai SX cassette it said "High Fidelity Sound". Not all type I cassettes state that on their tapes. Also, I noticed that some tape warehouses sell bulk type I tapes that are billed as "music grade". This is probably old news to many of you, but it finally occurred to me.

[braxus]

Though tapes like Sony HF, Maxell UR, and TDK D are said to be for voice only- people do use them for music with decent results.

High end normal tapes that are the top end type 1s are TDK AD-X, TDK AR-X, Sony HF-Pro, Denon DX-4, and Maxell XL-IS. These are the ones to get if you want top shelf type 1 tapes.

I ordered some of those Akai tapes, but I can't say if they are any better then say TDK AD or Maxell UD.

[NAD613]

I never really tried the TDK D; only the SD & SA high bias. Usually, I found that if the tapes were labeled for "Voice or Music", they sounded good. Back in the day I used the Maxell UR tapes with decent results, but the tops in my book among type I tapes is still the Sony HF-S. I don't recall ever seeing the Sony HF-Pro, but if I had I probably would have bought them. Until I discovered the Maxell XLII-S, Sony was my tape of choice.

Luckily I've only come across really bad tapes a few times & I thought the whole "high fidelity" type I labeling might be part of the reason.

[Web Police]

I agree as you move up tapes in the type I line you get very good results for music. Most of the time when I was used type I tapes I had to buy bottom of the barrel tapes however because it was all I could afford at the time.:)

[Mr. Lin]

I recorded some vinyl onto a TDK D and it came out good.

[Scorpion8]

I used TDK D and it's "acceptible". I wouldn't say my recording floored me like a good Type-II or -III, but it was alright to listen to. Not at all like old TDK AD or even Maxell UD XL-I or even just UD before that UR stuff came along.

[Web Police]

I have had good results with most type I tapes I have tried. The only issue I have with most of the late model ones is with the material quality, especially the shells.

[NAD613]

I've been up into the wee hours of the morning making tapes, experimenting with the bias control. So far, it appears the best results I've obtained with the Akai SX normal bias tapes are with the bias control set at -2. I recorded some Steve Winwood & Slade at that setting, along with Dolby C, & those type I Akai's are sounding very nice indeed.

[Des-Lab]

You guys are really making me take a long hard look at buying some of those Akai tapes even though, not to put too fine a point on it, do not need any more tapes at all.

Anyway, Brax was pretty much right on the money. The best Type I tapes also happen to be among the hardest (and most expensive) to find. These would include the Maxell XLI and XLI-S, TDK AD-X, AR-X, Denon DX-4, etc. These tapes can and do perform very well.

My experience has usually been that any tape marketed as "Low Noise", "High Output", etc, were *USUALLY* the lowest grade tapes suitable for little more than voice recordings. I would avoid at all costs any of the unbranded generic tapes as well as the off-brand ones.

[NAD613]

Yeah, those Akai type I tapes are quite the deal; they're only $4.50/box & if you buy 200, they're only $3.50. That means 2 cases (most cases of audio tapes I've seen are comprised of 100 tapes, or ten 10ct. boxes) for $70. But, whose going to need that many type I tapes?

[braxus]

Im finding I'm going back to type 1 tapes, aka premium versions, for their sound quality. I like the color they change the sound too. Its getting me to the point Im passing on chrome tapes to use type 1 tapes. Metal tapes are the best of both worlds though. Chrome tapes aren't as good at the low end for emphasis on the high end.

[NAD613]

Im finding I'm going back to type 1 tapes, aka premium versions, for their sound quality. I like the color they change the sound too. Its getting me to the point Im passing on chrome tapes to use type 1 tapes. Metal tapes are the best of both worlds though. Chrome tapes aren't as good at the low end for emphasis on the high end.

Yeah, as long as you're using music quality/high fidelity grade type I tapes, I can see where you're coming from. I've made the mistake in the past of using transcirption/dictation, voice-grade type I cassettes & they can't handle many kinds of music very well. Definetely meant for a portable tape recorder, not a Teac A-103, Tandberg, Nakamichi, etc., stereo cassette deck.

[braxus]

Hey Nad. I pointed out this auction to you in another thread. Did you win these or bid?

See:

Ebay # 300299658817

[clhboa]

I know this is an old thread but is there still any of those Akai's around at the price mentioned above. If so please direct me to where I could find them. Thanks!

[braxus]

I know this is an old thread but is there still any of those Akai's around at the price mentioned above. If so please direct me to where I could find them. Thanks!

http://www.batteriesandbutter.com/page/bb/CTGY/audio

[clhboa]

Thanks Braxus!

[NAD613]

Hey Nad. I pointed out this auction to you in another thread. Did you win these or bid?

See:

Ebay # 300299658817

Yeah, I put in a bid before you mentioned it. I bid $40.01 & they went for about $60. A far cry from when I could buy a 2-pack of the HF-S 90 at WalMart for $2 back around '91 or so. I wish I could go back in time & have the stock boy get me a couple of cases of those from the back warehouse.

[KatCassidy]

But, whose going to need that many type I tapes?
Me.

That's who

[braxus]

Me.

That's who

Be patient Kat. :) Eventually one day they will come.

[Tapemystic]

I like some TDK AD-X es...The 2 I supposed to have got from that dead gone deregistered German seller, never turned up *frown*

A TDK AR or 2 propably too...I already tried the TDK AR-X ...Excellent!

Maxell XLI's and XLIS too...Couldnt find any...yet.

Currently reeling in TDK AD's as many as I can find. TDK D's where too fluffy (used these normally for voice) for me,, but I'm getting some TDK AD's ...:)

[doity]

How about Radio Shack Supertape XR-90? I picked one up at the thrifts last week. Claims to be a high end type I cassette. It has a yellow wrapper and label. Did not see anything on the google about it.

[stuwee]

How about Radio Shack Supertape XR-90? I picked one up at the thrifts last week. Claims to be a high end type I cassette. It has a yellow wrapper and label. Did not see anything on the google about it.
braxus knows alot about the Supertapes, he'll get back to ya!

[KatCassidy]

Currently reeling in TDK AD's as many as I can find
If you find any AR's for sale in Australia please let me know. I like the look of them. I've only owned one in my life (when I was 15)(and you would cringe if you knew what ended up getting recorded on it!) but it just looked soooooo nice!

[Tapemystic]

If you find any AR's for sale in Australia please let me know. I like the look of them. I've only owned one in my life (when I was 15)(and you would cringe if you knew what ended up getting recorded on it!) but it just looked soooooo nice!
I've not found any TDK AR's locally yet Kat, Maxell LN PM ed me a place around Sydney Airport where there are TDK SA's and MA's lurking. As I'm short for pennies for a few days yet, I've yet to find out if these are the only TDK tapes lurking, I need to go there and find out. Who knows maybe there are TDK AR's there and a few others. I hope you kindly don't mind if I try some, if I find them? I'm not hot on Metal tapes either...Similar with AD's , AR-X. The phantom 2 TDK AD-X suddenly showed up ...I tried trance on one of them, such a kick, better than a metal tape to me. Lets see...:)

[KatCassidy]

You'll love the AR's then :)

Unfortunately they are highly desired and thus expensive, so if you get any for cheap, keep them! Unless you're feeling extra generous.

[Tapemystic]

You'll love the AR's then :)

Unfortunately they are highly desired and thus expensive, so if you get any for cheap, keep them! Unless you're feeling extra generous.

Hmmm...I saw these when googling:

http://www.liquid-productions.org.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=7010

2 GBP each! - The only crux is no Paypal... *sigh*
Maybe Dr. Bo. is interested and can get these...He only got the C60's ?!?
I will be looking in that shop I indicted beforehand, to see if there are any of these lurking there. Lets see...latest by Friday I know if I can find them...:)

[close652]

Hmmm...I saw these when googling:
http://www.liquid-productions.org.uk/shop/product_info.php?products_id=7010
2 GBP each!

They have 5 left. They refused two of my cards in spite of Hungary was a shipping option.

[braxus]

How about Radio Shack Supertape XR-90? I picked one up at the thrifts last week. Claims to be a high end type I cassette. It has a yellow wrapper and label. Did not see anything on the google about it.

Saw the PING there Stuwee. Anyway the XR tape is what replaced the Supertape Gold. Both were a premium version of a type 1 tape. I've had pretty good success using them and they are worth picking up since they aren't expensive. I don't know if they are any better then the other voice grade type 1s by Maxell and TDK, but they do work ok with music.

[Maxell-LN]

I used Sony HFSs for a short time. The sount was out of this world, I couldn't believe that it was a cassette, as the sound was so transparent. For some reason though they left a lot of brown gunk on my rollers.

TDK AD and Maxell UD were my favourite super-ferro tapes for hi-fi recording. Both had clean high end reproduction. The Maxell UDI model of the early nineties was also a great cassette. I find using TDK Ds and Bs a waste of time, may I say like having my radio half under water. :)..... yes they really do sound that bad.

[Lapis]

The best ones that are recommended to get are:

Sony HF-ES
Sony HF-S
TDK AR-X
TDK AD-X

Maxells, Denons and other great type 1 cassette tapes that you can find.

[ke4mcl]

the tape is important but i truly believe just as important is taking the time to setup bias correctly. ive been achieving surprisingly good results with tdk d, memorex dbs, and even white box specials just by taking the time to tweak the bias and using a 3 head deck.

[Wilhelm]

Pfizer MO 2228 iron oxide crystals--used by almost everyone for high performance recordings with slight modifications (Type I) or enhanced with cobalt ions (Type II)--are one reason there are so many similarities between high quality tapes.

[Paspie]

To me it seems like we are trying too hard at searching back in time for the best sounding tape of any type, when we still have all we need that is still being produced. TDK, Maxell, Globalbrands and Sony still make Type I's, TDK and Globalbrands have a Type II in continuation, and Type IV...well we all know where we can still buy brand new metal tapes! Quality control has not really slumped that much. Imation I suppose did batter TDK's reputation slightly with the replacement SA shell, but considering the age of the format and the market decline I think the big companies have done pretty well into the 21st century.

Now personally I don't like using a rare discontinued blank tape because I'm worried that I'll ruin the recording. With new tapes I know there will be some more in stock.

Sorry if I've rambled on a bit off-topically...