Best Tape for X-2000R

[iustinig]

So long story short, I recently bought the X-2000R and I am researching what kind of tape i should be using. So far I have tested 4 flavors from different sources. Now, I did see the Des-Lab study on the RMGI LPR35 and I did find it very interesting. My tests are using the "by the ear" procedure and are not as educative or even valuable.

Maxwel UD 50-120:
I bought it (sealed) from e-bay since it was the reel most popular on youtube and i needed a tape fast to use as an initial test for my fresh purchase.
It performed great for a source to recording point of view without going to much away from the default bias setting. What I noticed (my neighbors also) is that the tape enhanced a bit the low frequencies which for the trance music i like to listen is not necessarily bad thing. The bad thing about the tape is that it does make a faint tearing noise when it unwinds (not back coated) and that worries me a bit.

RMGI SM468 and LPR35:
I found online one store that sells new RMGI tape and i got 2 different ones that were available on 7 inch reels for testing purposes. The SM468, if i remember it well, is advertised as a long play slow speed, but i like to see them reels spinning so everything was recorded on 7 1/2 IPS.
Both tapes performed great again without going away from the default bias setting. And since they are new there is no tearing noise (yet).

My 4th tape was the BASF 900 MAXIMA (the blue one in my avatar) and is obvious that i didn't get it for the tape. That reel looks cool. The tape however is not as great for my TEAC ("my TEAC" - gives me goose bumps). I have to go all the way negative on the bias to get somewhat close to the source but it is still not there. I guess I could boost a bit the "highs" on the source to get a usable recording but as far as i am concerned i'm not getting another BASF.

My conclusion is that even sealed in a box the e-bay tape is questionable. The LPR35 looks like the tape to go on my deck so far. I would like to know what kind of tape you guys use(recommend) for your x-2000Rs?

Oh and I have a term question: In a "1.0 mil 1/4 inch 10" X 3600ft ", what does the "mil" stand for? It cannot be the tape thickness (millimeters) cause if that were the case, and my math is correct, a 10 inch reel with a 3 inch "storage radius" would be full in less than 80 turns.

Thanks,
Iustin

[Eminence1963]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/270838219501?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Maybe not the best tape for your deck, but it will do and its cheap*bigthumbup* Plus its NOS*drool*Its not voice grade thats a +*eyepop*
Now if you have deep pockets go for the more expensive Quantegy or LPR35*wave*

[Lance Lawson]

I've concluded that RMGI LPR-35 is perfect for my Teac. It's the best tape I've found for nice crisp highs when running 7.5 ips which is my Teac's fast speed. The better Maxells are fine but NOS will cost you more than newly made RMGI.

[PioneerRT-2022]

The RMGI LPR-35(+4db), SM468 (+4db) and Maxell UD(+3db) are probably your best choices, but the BEST TAPE is the one you calibrate the machine for. The Maxima 900(+9dB and I have driven it as far as +8db) is probably the best tape you have there, but since the machine is not even close to be calibrated for it, it will sound really bad. The SM-468 should sound very good on that machine since it is a high bias tape(it doesn’t need a lot of bias as the other tapes you have there).

The db numbers I assigned to each of those tapes is just my opinion, experience and how I have driven those tapes with a 1/4 track machine like yours, but some people go lower or higher.


My personal experiences with reel to reel is that you will only be completely satisfied once your machine is calibrated to a specific tape or that you can learn the calibration and do it every time you need and that way you can use different tapes and formulations. Guessing is frustrating sometimes. I hope you find the right one for yours, once you do the world will be a better place.*reelspin*__*reelspin*


.

[Des-Lab]

Don't worry about having to adjust the bias; that's what it's there for. It affords you some flexibility and the ability to fine tune different tapes to your tastes without having to take it to a tech (assuming of course it isn't so far out of whack that it needs a tune job anyway). The X-2000R is one of very few decks to have this feature. So consider having it a plus.

My experience has been that you will never go wrong with a Maxell UD or XLI. Quantegy 407 is an excellent substitute for the Maxells. Quantegy 457 is also a good tape but you have to be careful. You do have to reduce the bias and make sure to not under or overload it. If you do, it will sound dull. Once you hit that sweet spot, it sounds awesome.

One thing to keep in mind is that the X-2000R, by design, records much hotter than most other decks. If you record at 0dB on it and play the tape back on any other deck, it will appear to play 3-5 dB higher and vice versa (if you record at 0 on another deck and play back on the X-2, it will appear to be 3-5 dB LOWER). So you have to be careful not to overdo it lest saturation and print-through become an issue.

The LPR-35 falls somewhere between 407 and 457 in terms of setup and sound. I do make it a point to warn people to keep in mind that there is some substandard tape out there, so you should be aware that if you use LPR-35, it carries the possibility that it will become unplayable within a couple years and/or several dozen plays.

[Skywavebe]

Hi iustinig,
I guess I could put my two cents in to say that the best tape that should be used with the deck of that type is the RMGI LPR35. I have tested many decks after repair and find that this tape is the today's standard for LHII type settings. All other are lesser tapes until you get into the higher pro line which is made for 1/2 track decks not a X2000R.
This like others have said comes with the qualification that the deck is calibrated to that tape. The front Bias control does little to allow for adjustment as the manufacturer was afraid people would adjust their machines to the extent of not recording. The Otari MX5050 and other pro decks allow full range adjustments as well as individual channel adjustment. Today it is hard to beat LPR35 unless you have a machine that works with SM900. The record level of the X2000R units I adjusted was still 200 nWb/M not 250 or 320 so I don't know where the level difference is coming from. There is a known meter error on the X2000R's that I have dealt with and I found a solution while calibrating.

[iustinig]

So there are a good couple of point that you guys hit here that I can use when picking the tape: deck calibration, reliability/retention, and I'll add availability to the list as well.

Based on that it looks like my deck is already calibrated for the RMGI LPR35 tape (I get to match the source in the middle of the bias adjustment range). Maxwell also performs great, but since the only source i have for it is eBay, and the tape that I bought seems to show some sticky-shed symptoms, I would say that it is not available (if you guys can point me to a reliable source ... ).

It looks like the LPR35 is the winner (so far). I don't see myself ever storing something on tape only. To this point every playlist I recorded is also backed up on my server and I'll keep doing that to cover myself for unexpected surprises.

Thank you for all the inputs.
Iustin

[Skywavebe]

I have not yet known any Maxell tapes to have a sticky condition but if the Maxell prices are the same as those of the LPR35 then I would go with the RMGI tape and keep them producing the tape as better sales make for longer production. Those that think that using old Maxell tape and waiting to buy RMGI LPR35 as it will always be available might get tricked. I would get the LPR35 now or SM911 if you want 1 mil tape. Mil refers to the 1/1000 of an inch as you measure on a Micrometer. Someone asked that a bit a go.
I say LPR35 all the way!
I have not been disappointed by that tape yet!

[390FE]

So long story short, I recently bought the X-2000R and I am researching what kind of tape i should be using. So far I have tested 4 flavors from different sources. Now, I did see the Des-Lab study on the RMGI LPR35 and I did find it very interesting. My tests are using the "by the ear" procedure and are not as educative or even valuable.

Maxwel UD 50-120:
I bought it (sealed) from e-bay since it was the reel most popular on youtube and i needed a tape fast to use as an initial test for my fresh purchase.
It performed great for a source to recording point of view without going to much away from the default bias setting. What I noticed (my neighbors also) is that the tape enhanced a bit the low frequencies which for the trance music i like to listen is not necessarily bad thing. The bad thing about the tape is that it does make a faint tearing noise when it unwinds (not back coated) and that worries me a bit.

RMGI SM468 and LPR35:
I found online one store that sells new RMGI tape and i got 2 different ones that were available on 7 inch reels for testing purposes. The SM468, if i remember it well, is advertised as a long play slow speed, but i like to see them reels spinning so everything was recorded on 7 1/2 IPS.
Both tapes performed great again without going away from the default bias setting. And since they are new there is no tearing noise (yet).

My 4th tape was the BASF 900 MAXIMA (the blue one in my avatar) and is obvious that i didn't get it for the tape. That reel looks cool. The tape however is not as great for my TEAC ("my TEAC" - gives me goose bumps). I have to go all the way negative on the bias to get somewhat close to the source but it is still not there. I guess I could boost a bit the "highs" on the source to get a usable recording but as far as i am concerned i'm not getting another BASF.

My conclusion is that even sealed in a box the e-bay tape is questionable. The LPR35 looks like the tape to go on my deck so far. I would like to know what kind of tape you guys use(recommend) for your x-2000Rs?

Oh and I have a term question: In a "1.0 mil 1/4 inch 10" X 3600ft ", what does the "mil" stand for? It cannot be the tape thickness (millimeters) cause if that were the case, and my math is correct, a 10 inch reel with a 3 inch "storage radius" would be full in less than 80 turns.

Thanks,
Iustin

Welcome to the fourm iustinig.

Please don't take this the wrong way but need to correct you on something. It is MAXELL not Maxwel as you have typed.

Anyway happy hunting for the tape that you like the sound of the best on your machine.

[mrfoxboy]

Welcome to the fourm iustinig.

Please don't take this the wrong way but need to correct you on something. It is MAXELL not Maxwel as you have typed.

Anyway happy hunting for the tape that you like the sound of the best on your machine.
Hehe My dad always says that. Maybe french?

[Kent T]

RMGI tapes are our house standard at casa de Kent. We use SM 468, LPR-35, and use SM 911. No trouble with them and consistent quality these days.

[PioneerRT-2022]

RMGI tapes are our house standard at casa de Kent. We use SM 468, LPR-35, and use SM 911. No trouble with them and consistent quality these days.


*yeahthat* +1 on that one. I got in the mail on Friday 5 pancakes of SM911 *bigthumbup* and I am playing right now my recordings on one of the tapes.

.