Source for HQ Recordings

[jtwrace]

Well, it seems that in two weeks I should have my first machine. It's an Otari BII-2. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be as advertised when I get there. So, I know about the "tape project" tapes but am also interested to know if there are any other sources of tapes similar in the quality. If you know of any private, imports or any others can you share? I would hate to have the machine and no tapes. :( *reelstop I want to be *reelspin**reelspin**drool*

Thanks!!!

[ferriteman]

Well, it seems that in two weeks I should have my first machine. It's an Otari BII-2. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be as advertised when I get there. So, I know about the "tape project" tapes but am also interested to know if there are any other sources of tapes similar in the quality. If you know of any private, imports or any others can you share? I would hate to have the machine and no tapes. :( *reelstop I want to be *reelspin**reelspin**drool*

Thanks!!!

If you're getting an Otari, if it doesn't already come with the extra playback head for 4-track tapes, I would strongly encourage you to get one - especially if the Otari is your only R2R deck. There are a lot of good 4-track pre-recorded tapes out there (used of course, from E-Bay) that you would then be able to play.

Other than the Tape Project tapes, the only 2-track pre-recorded tapes that I've ever been able to find originate from the late 1950s-early 1960s era. They will be labeled as "2 track" or "2 inline heads" on the box. As I have recently learned at this forum, not the same as "2 track staggered heads".

These older 2-track tapes can be very good (some aren't but they usually are) but note that the music available on them is limited; all that is available is pretty much late 1950s jazz, big band, classical and some late 1950s middle-of-the road type music. This is because 2-track was pretty much phased out by the early 1960s and replaced by pre-recorded 4 track tapes. So if this type of music isn't to your liking you are outa luck.

Also note that a lot of tapes from this era can be very brittle, i.e. they can break quite easily so you have to be very careful handling them. Good idea to add leader tape to them as well, it makes breaking them less likely...they usually break right when you are putting them on the reel (you need to go easy on the torque!).

The source for these used tapes is basically e-bay all though sometimes you can find old R2R tapes an record flea markets.

Not to beat this to death, but you will get a lot more use out of your Otari if you have the 4-track playback head, you can get one retro-fitted, definetley worth the outlay.

Regards
Grant