Mellotronists

Hi Mark,
 
We do have a good quantity of EMI but we are getting through it at a fair  
rate of knots as the M4000 is hungry to feed and the demand is going to use up a 
 lot of stock.  EMI stopped making tape in the very early 80s.   However, we 
already have a contingency plan so don't panic.  
 
Although the M4000 will handle Quantegy and BASF formulations, M400s  
struggle.  We've discussed this before but to clarify once again.   When Chamberlins 
and 'Trons were developed, dull oxide tape formulations with  shiny backing 
were the standard and suited the drive principle  involved that requires the 
capstan to grab the oxide face of the tape  with the pinchroller acting as a 
rotary pressure pad.    Scotch  and EMI were ideal to make this system work and 
were readily available.   However, modern formulations are the complete reverse 
of this.  They have  an ultra shiny and polished oxide face that doesn't 
really want to be driven by  a capstan and in addition, a dull backing that causes 
the pressure pad to act as  a brake.  We have tried every modern formulation 
with M400s and  yes, they will work but the compromise in feel and adjustment 
is not  acceptable.  
 
Finding EMI stock has been a blessing.  For a while we used BASF red  and 
yellow back but it had it's problems in some machines.  We are  therefore 
archiving EMI tape for M400 clients and will continue to supply  M4000s with this 
tape until the free stock runs out.  We do have two other  formulations being 
worked on and these will mimic EMI once the stock dries  up.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Best,
 
Martin 
 
Streetly Electronics - All Things Mellotronic

_www.mellotronics.com_ (http://www.mellotronics.com/) 
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