Damn, it's happened again

Tapewolf · January 22, 2007, 06:58:47 PM

http://www.quantegy.com (deaad by Apriiil...)

This is not quite such a disaster this time around, since there are now three other manufacturers of audio tape - Zonal (who like Quantegy, died but rose again on the third day) ATR, and RMGI.
This is unlike two years ago, when Quantegy died before and they were the sole manufacturer.

Nonetheless it is extremely irritating since I can only get Quantegy stuff from my usual suppliers, and Zonal only makes 1/4" stuff and I need 1/2" as well.

If need be I can probably order RMGI product via the US, but it seems rather wasteful given that it is made in the Netherlands

llearch n'n'daCorna · January 22, 2007, 08:11:29 PM

I found these guys: http://www.thomann.de/gb/recording_tape.html

.. but they're selling Quantegy. So I guess that's no help, although they might start sourcing RMGI once Quantegy collapses.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything more useful. :-/

Tapewolf · February 09, 2007, 07:12:58 AM

By way of update, it looks like RMGI now have a UK distributor:
http://www.protape.co.uk

...so I won't have to change my username just yet

ITOS · February 09, 2007, 10:32:30 AM

Theoretically, what would you call yourself if you had to go digital?

Tapewolf · February 09, 2007, 11:17:23 AM

Quote from: ITOS on February 09, 2007, 10:32:30 AM
Theoretically, what would you call yourself if you had to go digital?

I'm not honestly sure. I'd probably just keep the name anyway.

Sid · February 09, 2007, 11:26:57 AM

You could save to USB sticks and call yourself Flashwolf

(I like the sound of that, actually... even though Tapewolf sounds friendlier... and you'd avoid certain jokes by staying true to your current name

)

llearch n'n'daCorna · February 09, 2007, 01:20:12 PM

... and "Diskwolf" sounds like something slipped...

Tapewolf · February 09, 2007, 03:55:53 PM

If I had to, I'd probably record to DSD, since it is kind-of analogue, even down to generation loss (!). I'd still like to know if DBX or Dolby noise reduction prevents that. Of course recording to HDD or DVD media lacks the charm - I mean, where's the fun if you can't watch it spinning?

llearch n'n'daCorna · February 09, 2007, 04:01:31 PM

http://www.overclockers.com/tips821/ ?

Damaris · February 11, 2007, 11:33:19 PM

I love the look of a good reel to reel machine. I miss working with them.

Tapewolf · February 12, 2007, 04:10:12 AM

Quote from: Damaris on February 11, 2007, 11:33:19 PM
I love the look of a good reel to reel machine. I miss working with them.

Plenty on e-bay

Out of curiosity, what did you do?

Turnsky · February 12, 2007, 06:10:17 AM

technically magnetic tape will still be in use for some time to come, heck, avionic flight data and voice recorders still use them (that black boxes in planes)..

Tapewolf · February 12, 2007, 06:20:42 AM

Quote from: Turnsky on February 12, 2007, 06:10:17 AM
technically magnetic tape will still be in use for some time to come, heck, avionic flight data and voice recorders still use them (that black boxes in planes)..

Well anyone who's still using 797 logging tape is in for a nasty surprise. RMGI are only making the more popular audio stuff. They're not making the digital reels either, so there should be some Nagra-Ds going cheap in the near future

King Of Hearts · February 12, 2007, 06:24:00 AM

Time waits for no man, Im afraid.

Am I the only one that clicked this topic expecting a Jay Leno Monologue about teachers having carnal knowledge with their students?

Tapewolf · February 12, 2007, 06:27:37 AM

Quote from: King Of Hearts on February 12, 2007, 06:24:00 AM
Am I the only one that clicked this topic expecting a Jay Leno Monologue about teachers having carnal knowledge with their students?

"It's happened again" is what the Gendarmes will sometimes say in Deus Ex when discovering one of your victims in Paris.

Turnsky · February 12, 2007, 10:40:49 AM

Quote from: Tapewolf on February 12, 2007, 06:20:42 AM
Quote from: Turnsky on February 12, 2007, 06:10:17 AM
technically magnetic tape will still be in use for some time to come, heck, avionic flight data and voice recorders still use them (that black boxes in planes)..

Well anyone who's still using 797 logging tape is in for a nasty surprise. RMGI are only making the more popular audio stuff. They're not making the digital reels either, so there should be some Nagra-Ds going cheap in the near future

the reason being, i gather, is that magnetic tape is that much more durable and easily repaired than, say, optical or digital formats (even hard drive platters)

Tapewolf · February 12, 2007, 10:56:32 AM

Quote from: Turnsky on February 12, 2007, 10:40:49 AM
Quote from: Tapewolf on February 12, 2007, 06:20:42 AM

Well anyone who's still using 797 logging tape is in for a nasty surprise. RMGI are only making the more popular audio stuff.

the reason being, i gather, is that magnetic tape is that much more durable and easily repaired than, say, optical or digital formats (even hard drive platters)

Is it true that they are still using wire recorders for this very reason? Or have they now been superceded?

Turnsky · February 12, 2007, 11:02:55 AM

doing a little research, looks like modern black boxes use solid state memory specifically made to survive the mauling that they're likely to get.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/black-box.htm

fun fact, black boxes are an aussie invention

Tiger_T · February 12, 2007, 02:32:01 PM

But are they RJ-proof?

Damaris · February 13, 2007, 02:07:07 PM

I worked in a college radio station. We often used the reel to reel to record things before we transferred them to the computer for editing. For a while, I was the only person on staff who could thread the damn thing. It was testy, and didn't like people, but it did such a nice job.

They upgraded much of the station after I left- I'm fairly certain that my reel to reel was upgraded right to the trash, which makes me sad.

My favorite story about using it, though, was I was doing a news package on the station's 50th anniversary, when the engineer came down carrying an original of the George Burns show that had (apparently) aired on our station years and years ago. We were able to pull a clip to use for the package, and that is how an old Maxwell House Coffee ad managed to get play in 2001 on a southern Indiana college station.

Tapewolf · February 14, 2007, 07:20:59 AM

Quote from: Damaris on February 13, 2007, 02:07:07 PM
I worked in a college radio station. We often used the reel to reel to record things before we transferred them to the computer for editing. For a while, I was the only person on staff who could thread the damn thing. It was testy, and didn't like people, but it did such a nice job.

Ah. Yes, it's mostly studios and broadcast outfits that use them. Of course that means you've actually used them professionally... [is jealous]

QuoteThey upgraded much of the station after I left- I'm fairly certain that my reel to reel was upgraded right to the trash, which makes me sad.

Indeed. The amusing thing is that although you can't get much for selling the machines these days, you usually will sell them. If you try selling older digital recorders, generally you simply can't. Absolutely no-one will touch them...

Thanks for the anecdote, by the way...