Switching Out Tape Brands

[David Jimerson]

I've been using a specific brand of tape for a while, and now I'm considering switching to another -- but don't especially want the headaches involved with gumming up the heads if the tapes' lubricants decide they don't like other.

What's the safest way of switching brands? Anyone had any problems with it?

 

[ericcosh]

Re: Switching Out Tape Brands

That's an excellent question, and one that you're sure to get many different answers. The problem is "who do you believe"?

As you're aware, several years ago many of us were running into problems with "dry vs wet" lubricants in the various tapes. Some people said, don't mix ME with MP, etc...

Most of the major manufacters have been able to get by most of these now. The only suggestion that I have is try to stick to one brand if at all possible.

Panasonic has put a lot of time and money developing their AY-DVM63MQ professional tapes as a kind of "universal tape".

My problem is that I use many different cameras in my studio. I use Sony PD150's, Panasonic EZ30's, Panasonic DVX100, and until recently, JVC500's. I'm tired of always having to use just one brand for each camera, so I'm switching over to the AY-DVM60MQ's exclusively as soon as my DVCam and Sony Excellence tapes run out.

What ever you do, if you switch tapes, make sure that you use your head cleaner prior to making the big switch. I'm not a big fan or avocate of using the head cleaning tape, but in this instance, it's probably a pretty good idea.

 

[ScreechingHalt]

Re: Switching Out Tape Brands

One little detail that used to be very important in analog recording, but may not be so important now: The heads and circuitry in many machines function optimally with certain types of magnetic tape. Different tapes have different thicknesses of magnetic material, the materials respond slightly differently. Some materials hold a stronger magnetic signature than others, etc.

In the Digital realm, the error correction systems can even out the playing field a little.

I am not sure that I would stop using the specific brands in those machines that you have had such good performance with in the past.

Just a thought. (anyone here old enough to remember all the audiophile tape testing that used to happen? Same thing went on with VCR tape and videophiles)