RMGI 468 or 911 for 3M M56
faz...@gmail.com
I have recently acquired an M56 and only now scratched up some bread
to buy 1-inch tape (8-track). I am hearing good things about RMGI and
my initial intention was to purchase SM911. The stuff I record is
mostly "1970s singer/songwriter" pop/rock, which sometimes gets a
little "heavy"/hard. Of course, Mr. Dorsey and Mr. Stamler are big
fans of 468 and I am kinda leaning in that direction. However, I am
hearing some things that have me confused. I understand 911 and 468
are very similar, with 468 having less harshness/"glassiness" when
pushed hard compared to 911. On the other hand, I have heard some say
that 468 is noiser than 911 and that 468 may be better suited to
things having wide dynamics (e.g., an orchestra) because it has lower
print-thru. Others say that 468 was/is meant for voice (!).
With that said (true or not), would 468 suit me better for my style of
music and choice of machine? Yes, I know that I'll never really get to
know unless I "try and buy." Reason why I ask because US Recording
Media is the only place I can find that stocks 468. However, they only
sell by the case and I'd rather not buy a whole case unless I
absolutely must:
http://www.usrecordingmedia.com/rmemsm1x25ca.html
Just wanted to get some of the pros' thoughts.
Regards,
Chris
Scott Dorsey
>I have recently acquired an M56 and only now scratched up some bread
>to buy 1-inch tape (8-track). I am hearing good things about RMGI and
>my initial intention was to purchase SM911. The stuff I record is
>mostly "1970s singer/songwriter" pop/rock, which sometimes gets a
>little "heavy"/hard. Of course, Mr. Dorsey and Mr. Stamler are big
>fans of 468 and I am kinda leaning in that direction. However, I am
>hearing some things that have me confused. I understand 911 and 468
>are very similar, with 468 having less harshness/"glassiness" when
>pushed hard compared to 911. On the other hand, I have heard some say
>that 468 is noiser than 911 and that 468 may be better suited to
>things having wide dynamics (e.g., an orchestra) because it has lower
>print-thru. Others say that 468 was/is meant for voice (!).
Both are excellent tapes. 900 is also very good.
Another nice tape is Zonal 675, which Zonal appears to have a large
surplus of in 1" in the UK.
468 is intended for lower operating levels than 911... and correspondingly,
the noise floor will be higher when compared with the operating level.
Then again, you might like to use 911 at a lower level than recommended,
or you might like to use 468 at a higher level than recommended.
>With that said (true or not), would 468 suit me better for my style of
>music and choice of machine? Yes, I know that I'll never really get to
>know unless I "try and buy." Reason why I ask because US Recording
>Media is the only place I can find that stocks 468. However, they only
>sell by the case and I'd rather not buy a whole case unless I
>absolutely must:
>
>http://www.usrecordingmedia.com/rmemsm1x25ca.html
>
>Just wanted to get some of the pros' thoughts.
Tape Warehouse will sell you either one, although sadly they'll also sell
only a whole case. They don't stock, but the'll have the distributor drop
ship directly (which is why they won't break cases).
If you have a 1/4" machine, you may be able to get a single reel in 1/4"
more easily so you can get a sense of how they differ.
Personally, I don't think you will go wrong with any of these tapes on
that machine.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."