Mellotronists

I seem to have lost the post I want to reply to. I am
sure some one mentioned that Martin had enough tape to
last 10 years. Have EMI stopped making it? It's going
to be another 3 years before I can afford mine. How
long does a tape set usually last?

Mark


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In a message dated 11/19/2007 1:26:09 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
markpringnz@... writes:

I seem to have lost the post I want to reply to. I am
sure some one mentioned that Martin had enough tape to
last 10 years. Have EMI stopped making it? It's going
to be another 3 years before I can afford mine. How
long does a tape set usually last?

Mark

Martin's statement was in SOS's review of the M4000.  In a related question, 
what other tape options are there (for the future)?  Of course, we all want 
the best (e.g., EMI).  My impression is that Martin was comparing EMI to 
Quantegy 456.  What about Quantegy 499 or GP9.  RMGI is also manufacturing BASF/Emtec 
900/901.  Are any of these at least comparable to EMI tape for Mellotron 
tapes?
 
Frank 1



************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

Hi gang,
Martin used the EMI tapes because it gives 'that' sound. He told me 
for my Performing Musician mag review of the M4000 that when the 
EMItapes have all been used the 4000/5000 can be set up for more 
modern formulations. Maybe in the next ten years, someone can be 
persuaded to release a new/old tape formulation the same as EMItape. 
After all, the Beatles masters and multitrack recordings  were on 
EMItape, and they haven't required baking or archiving to keep the 
recordings. (mind you, they are stored in a tempertaure controlled 
environment at Abbey Road)
As for how long an original set lasts -my first (Mk 2) Melly still 
had the originals in it when I bought it in the mid 80s, and they 
sounded fine, so allow at least 20 years life, and probbaly a lot 
more years that that!

Dave.

>In a message dated 11/19/2007 1:26:09 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
>markpringnz@... writes:
>
>I seem to have lost the post I want to reply to. I am
>sure some one mentioned that Martin had enough tape to
>last 10 years. Have EMI stopped making it? It's going
>to be another 3 years before I can afford mine. How
>long does a tape set usually last?
>
>Mark
>
>Martin's statement was in SOS's review of the M4000.  In a related 
>question, what other tape options are there (for the future)?  Of 
>course, we all want the best (e.g., EMI).  My impression is that 
>Martin was comparing EMI to Quantegy 456.  What about Quantegy 499 
>or GP9.  RMGI is also manufacturing BASF/Emtec 900/901.  Are any of 
>these at least comparable to EMI tape for Mellotron tapes?
>
>Frank 1
>
>

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/) 
US Sales  East: Jimmy Moore_ JMoore6397@..._ (http://JMoore6397@.../) 
US Sales  West: Paul Cox_ pjc56@..._ (http://pjc56@.../)

Audio recording tape is amazingly robust over time IF
it is not abused by too much humidity and extreme
temps. The biggest enemies in your mellotron are bad
handling when changing frames, misadjusted mechanics
and magnetism.

EMI stopped making tape MANY years ago and there are
only two manufacturers left: RMI-EMTEC in Holland and
ATR Magnetics in the US.
--- Mark Pring <markpringnz@...> wrote:

> I seem to have lost the post I want to reply to. I
> am
> sure some one mentioned that Martin had enough tape
> to
> last 10 years. Have EMI stopped making it? It's
> going
> to be another 3 years before I can afford mine. How
> long does a tape set usually last?
> 
> Mark
> 
> 
>      
>
____________________________________________________________________________________
> Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. 
> Make Yahoo! your homepage.
> http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs 
> 



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