TDK Pro Media SM (Sound Master) tapes

[NAD613]

I came across the TDK website last night & found the spec sheet for the Pro Media SM tapes. The thinckness of those tapes is about 36% thicker than the CD Bass & CD Power cassettes. TDK didn't provide specs on the SA or D tapes.

http://www.tdk-media.com/consumer/audio/prosm.html

http://www.tdk-media.com/consumer/audio/index.html

I have to say, I liked the TDK site & found it informative.

[NAD613]

Well, I found the stat sheet for the TDK SA. The thickness hasn't gone down; it's the same for the 60 minute Pro Media SM & the 60 minute SA. Here's the spec sheet:

http://www.tdk-media.com/consumer/support/pdf/sa.pdf

All the 90 minute tapes appear to have the same thickness, be it the SA or CD Power, but it is thicker than the 100 minute tapes. I heard somewhere that someone thought they were using 100 min. tape thickness on the 90 min. tapes, which isn't the case.

[Scorpion8]

You have the C-60's, right? Wonder if you'd like to swap two TDK ProMedia SM C-60's for two Maxell Audio Pro MS C-60's and do a comparison? Jim

[NAD613]

You have the C-60's, right? Wonder if you'd like to swap two TDK ProMedia SM C-60's for two Maxell Audio Pro MS C-60's and do a comparison? Jim

Sure, no problem. Send me an email.

[Scorpion8]

PM sent this evening.

[Mr. Lin]

I tried one of my TDK Pro SM20 tapes last night for the first time, and the results were on par with the Akai tapes. Just a few songs on each side, which I'm going to be doing a lot since I have quite a few of these.

[NAD613]

I tried one of my TDK Pro SM20 tapes last night for the first time, and the results were on par with the Akai tapes. Just a few songs on each side, which I'm going to be doing a lot since I have quite a few of these.

Yes, those TDK tapes are very good, maybe just slightly better than the Akai GX, if at all. The only bad thing about those TDK tapes are they've quit making the 90 minute version & they cost about 2-3 times more than the Akai GX. There are still a few places that sell the 90 minute TDK Pro Media SM-90 tapes, but they're over $20/box, which still isn't too bad considering how good the tape is. I just got spoiled by the $8/box price on the Akai GX-90 from Batteries & Butter.

BTW, since you like those TDK Pro Media SM tapes, check out the closeout page on A to Z Audio. They have those SM 20 for $5.50/case (10 ct. box) & the SM 30 for $6.50/case. They also have a higher grade of the TDK Pro Media Series called "Extended Range"; 20 min. for $6.50/case, 30 min. for $7.50/case.

http://www.atozaudio.com/html/closeouts-packagedcass.html

However, stay clear of those Quantegy Instant Start cassettes. They are not very good & I'm stuck with a whole box of them. The shells, boxes, & inserts are OK, so I'll probably use them for parts, because the tape inside is nothing to write home about.

[Mr. Lin]

Yes, those TDK tapes are very good, maybe just slightly better than the Akai GX, if at all. The only bad thing about those TDK tapes are they've quit making the 90 minute version & they cost about 2-3 times more than the Akai GX. There are still a few places that sell the 90 minute TDK Pro Media SM-90 tapes, but they're over $20/box, which still isn't too bad considering how good the tape is. I just got spoiled by the $8/box price on the Akai GX-90 from Batteries & Butter.

BTW, since you like those TDK Pro Media SM tapes, check out the closeout page on A to Z Audio. They have those SM 20 for $5.50/case (10 ct. box) & the SM 30 for $6.50/case. They also have a higher grade of the TDK Pro Media Series called "Extended Range"; 20 min. for $6.50/case, 30 min. for $7.50/case.

http://www.atozaudio.com/html/closeouts-packagedcass.html

However, stay clear of those Quantegy Instant Start cassettes. They are not very good & I'm stuck with a whole box of them. The shells, boxes, & inserts are OK, so I'll probably use them for parts, because the tape inside is nothing to write home about.

Here I am telling you where to get the TDK tapes and you know about a place like this!:D

[NAD613]

Here I am telling you where to get the TDK tapes and you know about a place like this!:D

I stumbled upon that site while looking for j-card inserts for blank tape boxes, which they sell, 100 for 95 cents.

That site also has TDK Pro Media type I cassettes, the AM Series, 46 minute for $4/box. I might order a box to see how those work out.