What Quantegy For Me?

Derrick · Post by **Derrick** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 9:15 am

I need some 1/4" X 7", 456 biased tape. Are the differences between Quantegy Grandmaster 456 and 457 just the tape lenths? There is also a version that is supposed to be either thinner (or thicker?) then 456. What are the benefits/downsides to using either thickness? What are the benefits/downsides to using 1800 ft over going with 1200 ft? The price difference is only $1, but if the 1800 is much more stressful on the machine or semething, then it's not worth it.
Thanks!

jpmorris · Post by **jpmorris** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 2:32 pm

Derrick wrote:I need some 1/4" X 7", 456 biased tape. Are the differences between Quantegy Grandmaster 456 and 457 just the tape lenths? There is also a version that is supposed to be either thinner (or thicker?) then 456. What are the benefits/downsides to using either thickness? What are the benefits/downsides to using 1800 ft over going with 1200 ft? The price difference is only $1, but if the 1800 is much more stressful on the machine or semething, then it's not worth it.
Thanks!

The 457 is thinner 456. That is why a 7" spool goes up to 1800' instead of 1200'.

Disadvantages include the fact that it will be slightly more fragile since it is thinner and that it is more susceptible to print-through. I believe it is only available on 7" spools.

Advantages include the increased length, less stress on the mechanism, and supposedly better head contact since it is more flexible than 456.

Derrick · Post by **Derrick** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:26 am

Thanks. Is the stress on the mechanism noticably less with the 457? The same mass is pulling the tape regardless of total lenth. If it means I'm likely to save on head wear, etc... I'll go with 457.

I'm Painting Again · Post by **I'm Painting Again** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 8:30 am

most studios use 456 and gp9 i think..seems like no one uses 457..what could that reason be?

jpmorris · Post by **jpmorris** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 9:53 am

BEARD_OF_BEES wrote:most studios use 456 and gp9 i think..seems like no one uses 457..what could that reason be?

I'd guess it was either the worry of extra print-through, or the fact that it only comes on 7" cine reels. At 15ips, you get only 24 minutes of recording time (absolute maximum). With a 10.5" spool of 1.5mil tape, you'll have about 33.

As for the wear, I'll come clean and admit that it's something I've heard of rather than experienced.

457 seems mostly to be popular with 7" machines, such as the Fostex R8, the Tascam 388, and their 2-track counterparts, the Model 20 and the 22-2.

Derrick · Post by **Derrick** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 2:38 pm

What's the main difference between 456/457 and GP9? Isn't GP9 just accepting of a hotter signal or something?
Thanks again!

jpmorris · Post by **jpmorris** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:30 pm

Derrick wrote:What's the main difference between 456/457 and GP9? Isn't GP9 just accepting of a hotter signal or something?
Thanks again!

I've never used GP9, so someone else will have to help out.
As I understand it, it does indeed accept a hotter signal, but there is something else as well. I have heard that it may also require a different tension setting for some reason, and I think the formulation is more abrasive on the heads.

This may help, but probably not:
http://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=156952
..sadly, as the thread approached the core of the issue it disintegrated into a slanging match, leaving me none the wiser.

In any case, for what I'm doing, 456 is perfectly adequate. Also, I'm not entirely sure that most 1/4" multitrackers (which I assume is what you've got.. 457 is only 1/4" IIRC) can actually be adjusted for GP9.. it might well be out of range of the electronics. Depends on the type of machine, though.

nacho459 · Post by **nacho459** » Sat Nov 12, 2005 3:03 pm

I'll make it simple.

406 = old school Ampex +3 tape
456 = classic Ampex +6 tape
499 = newer Ampex +9 tape
GP9 = 3M 996 formula of a +9 tape bought by Quantegy and renamed GP9

Derrick · Post by **Derrick** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 6:21 am

Thanks JP! Nach... that is a great listing and helps a lot. Do any of you guys know if using +3 tape loke 406 on a machine calebrated for +6 would yield cool tape saturation eazyer or are there other characteristics that would make this a bad idea? What I mean is, it seems that using +3 ona machine set up for +6 would have the ability to get some crazy stuff going on. Am I way off?

I'm Painting Again · Post by **I'm Painting Again** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 9:49 am

most older experienced engineers I've conversed with cringe at the thought of purposely distorting your machine..maybe you should start out with 456 at +3 to start and take it from there..

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