HIGH BIAS TYPE II CASSETTE TAPES: Where to find them in 2020? | 424recording.com

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Wonder where to find high bias Type II cassette tapes in 2020 for recording? I'm starting to wonder the same thing about Type II cassette tapes. Now that the new old stock has been used up, where can they be found in 2020? Let me know in the comments where you're sourcing your Type II cassette tapes from.
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[@KA-xr3wu]

this is the only channel that really matters

[@424Recording]

😂

[@JordanSeal]

As of late 2022, National Audio offers two types of Type II tapes: the 799s shown in the video (in batches of 10) and their own 756s in bulk batches of 100.

[@musicstevecom]

National Audio C756 Studio Type II Cassette, I found a link for them, Are they any good? really good prices.

[@wayneduo5399]

I'm probably going to regret this someday, but I'll go ahead and mention it anyway since I've got a decent supply at the moment. Search ebay, but not specifically for type II. Search for reputable tape brand names and scroll endlessly until you come up on someone listing them in bulk or a lot. You can oftentimes tell from the pictures, but it never hurts to ask them to confirm the specs if the auction listing is vague. Gripped many 10 packs of Maxell XLIIs for $10 shipped as recent as a few months ago.

[@424Recording]

Dang, wayne, this is a deep tip. Thanks for sharing this. I feel like in general hacking eBay listings is always a solid way to go; back in the early days of eBay, you could also search for mis-spellings of items such as "cassitte tapes" or something and find random listings that most people never came across and then snipe those items for dirt cheap. Not sure if this will still work with spellcheckers and canned listings but mid-2000's it worked like a charm!

[@ineedstuff8286]

yeah.. 10-packs for 10$???.. i am blown

[@morphinenapkin]

My tip if you are ok with erasing and reusing tapes: be sure to check EVERY SINGLE TAPE at thrift stores. You can find allot of old prerecorded tapes that used type two and get them for WAAAAAAAY cheap. Basic rule of thumb is that brown tape is type i and black is type ii or higher (watch out for the super dark brown spools that are almost black though)

[@424Recording]

Dang, this is a hot tip. I need to go thrift store hunting soon! Thanks, Morphine! I'll watch out of the super dark brown stock

[@RipReed]

I just bought a 424mkIII on Reverb. I'm quivering with anticipation.

[@mattwardynski7429]

I'm only 22 but I'm friends with a lot of older musicians in my music community in the US, one of my friends who I think is 60-something gave me 10 type II tapes that he used for mixtapes back in the day. He was looking to lighten his load so he erased them and gave them to me for free. They sound great. I'd definitely recommend hitting up older musician friends or family members that may be looking to get rid of their cassettes

[@424Recording]

That's a great tip, Matt. It seems like there are probably a lot of partially used and potentially new tapes out there in people's wall units and attics! Cheers!

[@MatrixAlphaCWX]

Cassette's are a work of art. I'll always love them and obviously so does everyone else. Seeing as how all new and old bands are releasing cassette's with their vinyl this year! Look up Sony zx6. That's my radio and cassette's sound clear as hell on it. Same with my 2006 mustang cassette player.

[@JBT-bw8sh]

I seem to have incredibe luck finding sealed type 2 tapes in charity shops, and im very grateful for it

[@fender1000100]

Love your site. I'm on the look out for a 424 in good working condition. And going back to Cassette. I love the format. Got fed up of my digital recorder crashing and running out of recording time. The warmth of analogue. And the hands on feel is drawing me back to the 80s. Keep up the amazing work.

[@424Recording]

Right on! There's definitely some out there for a reasonable price! Try locally or on FB marketplace/craigslist. Thanks for watching!

[@ACommenterOnYouTube]

The feel and sound of a cassette in my hand is something else. Like a CD or Vinyl you have to be careful how you hold them because you dont want to get your finger prints on them, while the cassette ... just hold it. Again, the feel of it and the sound it makes when you handle it is just unique ..

[@elliotttadanier5971]

I have had pretty good luck in Goodwill/Thrift Stores in the Midwest (St. Paul). I’ve never found a bunch in the same place at the same time, but I’ve found one or two sealed Type II cassettes in the cassette shelf for like $0.99 each because they’re just priced the same as everything else on the shelf. Over the years I have collected a decent number of tapes this way.

[@424Recording]

Awesome tip, Elliott. I need to take a look the next time I'm at one. This seems like it might be the best way to find them today if you're patient and willing to browse around a bit. Thanks for this tip!

[@alanduncan1980]

I used to buy the BASF Type II back when you could actually go out and buy cassettes. Those BASF's were great! I have a bunch of cassettes that I was digging through and I found some type II's. One of which is a FUJI FXII 90 from late 70's / early 80's. It had A Flock of Seagulls recorded on it. The date written on the J-card is 1982. I've reused that one. I got some drums down on it. It sounds great after all these years. I'd say just ask around. A lot of people have a bunch of cassettes that they wouldn't mind parting with.

[@MatrixAlphaCWX]

On my facebook it seems all the new and old bands this year are now releasing Cassette's with their vinyl! I was like omg! My Sony Zx6 and mustang love cassette tapes. Sounds beautiful with my systems. Look out 2021. We are going back to 1963- 1980's!

[@424Recording]

Haha yup it's happening

[@phoenixrising1576]

Your a genius for doing this!!! I just opened some old TDK SA60/Virgin Chrome both High type 11 and each track had a different level. I switched to a new Maxell Type one and all is fine. I just got the 424 mk111 today. Could the three old type 11/High tapes have been a faulty bunch? I bought them 7 years ago. Its just strange they are all poor yet the maxell is fine? You just talked about Bias. I wonder if mine has been rebiased then? Il have to look up what that means. Thanks so much for this!

[@jaq8604]

I go to antique stores to get my high bias tapes. It’s great because there’s always a bin that has hundreds of tapes and they’re like less than a dollar each. So I get busy crackin open cases and looking for that dark tape. I even bring a pen with me if some have been rewinded. Even better if you find someone’s old mix tapes or album copies on sold as blank type 2s. Some people think using used tapes is a bad idea because they could be worn out, but I’ve rarely had that happen. Needles to say, bringing home 20 high bias tapes for less than $20 is awesome :)

[@424Recording]

Great tip! I'm going to keep an eye out! Thanks, Jack!

[@marcnapier2881]

ATR Magnetics has they're new line of Cobalt Gold and Silver Cassette tapes. They are brand new tapes not new old stock. I get my Reel-to-Reel tapes from them, very high quality.

[@goodtimefolkrock]

Thrift stores are a good place to find loose cassettes that people recorded CDs on back in the 90s .....most were type II .....just degouse them and youre good to go for pennies a tape

[@424Recording]

Hot tip right here! Thanks for this!

[@aftertheendtimes]

Hi 424 =) What is your opinion on the new ATR Magnetics cobalt Cassettes Love Cheers

[@johnwitherspoon7842]

My local record shop sells type ll and they have a ton of different brands but I’ve also had luck at thrift stores

[@scoutthespirit1133]

I guess I got lucky once but guitar center had some sony high bias type 2s, I just had to ask and they dug in the back for some, only came out with 4 and theyre only 90 mins though

[@Brokeninc]

I get mine at 2nd hand stores like Goodwill outlet and use a Spiratone vid-e-raser to wipe them. I also use duplication dot ca to get tapes. Mostly loops tapes, but I know they have type II tapes as well.

[@rangoononline]

Type 2! Thought this was a video about diabeetus for a minute :) I only find cassettes at garage sales. Cool video!

[@424Recording]

That's funny, man. I kept searching for type 2 and diabetes is the first thing that comes up. Thanks, Joe!

[@MatrixAlphaCWX]

Haha. Walmart, Target, Kmart, Office Depot, Walgreens, Right aid. All those stores here sell cassette's.

[@cubdukat]

From what I've heard, the DR-II's can be kinda tricky, depending on whether you use the Chinese-made ones or the Korean-made ones stuffed with Japanese tape. It's been ages since I've used a mutitrack cassette unit. I should see if I can get a good one off of eBay. The last time I was even looking at getting one was when the 424 MkII was new...

[@cbodovinitz]

What happens if you put a normal bias tape into a tascam that the manual suggests using high bias type 2? Is it bad for the machine or will it just be a sound quality issue?

[@thesesignals]

apparently NAC is actually producing new type ii tapes, and will be shipping in january 2021. waiting for that to ship, but in the meantime i looked through my old box of cassettes and dug up four unused, unopened type ii (sony cd-it, 90-min, individually-packaged) tapes. inherited my cassette multitrack recorder from my dad--who also handed down eleven unused type ii (unbranded, 30-min, bulk-packaged) tapes. happy camper for the time being--beginning a recording project during the holiday break. here's hoping that nac type ii tape lives up to our hopes!

[@424Recording]

Thanks for the info. Nice score and happy recording. I'll have to look into those NAC type ii's!

[@thesesignals]

@@424Recording i spoke with them by phone the other day to confirm. all is on track, they say, and the manufacturer (in s. korea) is on track too. fingers crossed though--a recent type i they released got poo-poo'ed on pretty hard.

[@Lucrativecris]

I collect cassette tapes but i get them from amazon or my local thrift shop i even got type 4 tapes real cheap like 2 tapes for a dollar

[@sesa1076]

I just wanted to tell you that after recording and re-recording over an old copy of the “White Men Can’t Jump” cassette, I was doing a junk removal job and found a bunch of old unused Maxells in the plastic in a paper bag in a dumpster. They are not type 2. They are not fancy. They are probably sub-adequate. But they are mine and I needed a win like that. AND right inside that bag alongside those tapes was a gold plated rca cable. I get choked up just thinking about it.

[@424Recording]

This is the kind of story dreams are made of

[@jamesjohnson6309]

I bought some old Alice In Chains demo tapes off eBay and they’re type 2. My car has a tape deck since it’s from 98’ but every time I pop it in I get an error that says “METAL TAPE” and no sound comes through. How can I listen to these tapes ? I know nothing about cassettes lol

[@nintendoor1]

hey mike, I wanted to get your opinion on something : I have a bevy of Type II tapes, but sometimes, if i’m just drafting a demo, I will use a 60 minute Type I tape to conserve the Type II’s. Will this hurt my 414 if it isn’t correctly biased?

[@424Recording]

I know a lot of people who have done this over the years and it doesn't seem to be too big of a problem. My experience has been that Type I won't hold up as well, so you'll have to clean your machine more frequently. I would use the bevy if you've got it. I didn't realize how easy it was to find more Type II tapes before making this video and getting everyone's feedback!

[@TheDarkCow11]

Thanks

[@ACURAOCULTA]

Very good

[@424Recording]

Thanks

[@Cantrip1957]

It’s a good question! I went to Ebay but the prices are kind of high.

[@424Recording]

Yeah, same with Amazon. Amazon is crazily priced, but I guess it is just resellers

[@mrmcclock]

Hi - I'm doing a lot of transferring original 4 track recordings from 4 track to 4 track unit on Tascam so the old tapes don't give out before dumping on to digital...Never paid attention but seeing alot of stuff on Maxell UR...which I stopped using as I suspected it was a little hissy...Did I waste my time with this? I've opted or Fuji DR II WHat is best? Thanks!

[@424Recording]

The high bias tapes are going to sound better, depending on what unit it is. Type i's will be more noisy (like you noticed) and tend to break down more in the machine over time

[@jessefillmore]

Hey Mike ! Do you recommend the Type 2 60 min over the Type 2 90, 110 min ?

[@424Recording]

Yeah I like the 60s. The tape is thicker

[@mustardsweat8819]

Cheapo Records is a chain in the Twin Cities and they sell them sometimes

[@oscarvch]

What about ATR pro-chrome master tapes? I think those are the only ones you can buy new but they're kinda expensive at $45 for a 10 pack

[@424Recording]

Yeah, those look solid. That's about the price NAC used to have them for. They look very similar in terms of the packaging as well. I wonder if they were made by NAC and are sold by ATR...

[@xboys_archive]

I bought about 100 type 2 tapes, from a guys trunk about a month ago. For 30$ local classifieds have held me over for the past few years, but I still stock up in japan when I go every year, so if anyone ever is around in japan go to “book off” or “hard off” I got like 3 double packs of some TDK DJ type 2 and metal tapes. And in my case I go to thrifts about twice a week for maybe 5 years now and I have never once found a single cassette tape period, so that’s just something to note and finally, not to long about I bought a metal cassette on amazon for 10$ killer deal made in japan mexell. So those are some of my tips I’ve been hunting for awhile now.

[@sonicacoustics9176]

Yeah, really nice question though. I hope these tapes will always be available. :)

[@424Recording]

I hope so too!

[@676bun]

I reached out to National Audio Company today about there new high bias tapes they said "We hope to have our C756 cobalt type II in late May/ early June". I searched the market for these tapes and the prices are getting crazy... If they start putting out a high bias tape then there will be a fare priced tape available and ppl wont have to feel like their getting a ticket from a scalper.

[@424Recording]

Yeah, let's hope they get them out soon, bun!

[@likethatnice]

Hm ive recorded a couple songs on type 1 tape with my 424 mki and 414 mkii but haven’t gotten it re biased. Would this be an issue?

[@BugzKiller]

When you use Type 1, do the recordings at a faster speed for the Best quality

[@424Recording]

It's probably all right. I always thought the biggest issue with Type i is that they will break down faster as the tape type is not as strong. You'll probably also have to record at a hotter level

[@onurBrunonurBruno]

I'm from Perú. There are lots of new type II tapes for sale on facebook marketplace, all the time :))). But 4 or more track cassette recorders are very hard to find.

[@424Recording]

Ahhhh very cool! I always seem to forget Facebook Marketplace. Haha yeah I could see the 4-tracks being harder to find and higher priced!

[@stinky_lizard]

Did you ever end up adjusting bias for type-I? If so how'd it go

[@424Recording]

I never did. The machines I've got are working well and I've got a stockpile of Type IIs but it would be interesting to see how it goes...

[@oinkooink]

The prices are insane today

[@nowavecharles]

Honestly considering getting a lesser known 4 track to test out cassette recording. I don’t know. Seems like Type II’s are becoming less available. I have enough hardware at this point to consider doing it. Not sure yet.

[@424Recording]

I think that would be a good way to go about it, Henry. I've been thinking of doing the same, finding a rarer, lesser know model... mainly because of the prices...

[@lofimijo208]

ebay prices can be kinda high for sure. i remember back in 2016 i got a ten back of 30 minute tdk type 2s for 30 bucks shipped. it wasnt too long after that that prices tripled if not quadupled. i think tho if you buy them one at a time every few weeks you can build up your stock slowly and not so expensively

[@424Recording]

Yeah this sounds like the trend. I'm going to be checking out my local thrift to see what's around. The prices of all this stuff is going way up!

[@karmicneurot9829]

Good Will and local thrift stores. Occasionally I hit up craigslist. Frankly, I just bus it all over to the computer for cleaning up, so Type II, taped over pre-recorded tapes from thrift shops, doesn't seem to matter. Cheap tape for scratch recording and experiments. Also thinking about trying high bias from aliexpress...but that's loooong wait.

[@424Recording]

Great tips, here, Karmic! Thanks!

[@TyCrawford]

Has anyone tried the ATR Magnetics Type II tapes?

[@MotifCreosoteWalnut]

I’d love to see a review of the ATR ProChrome on 424 here! EDIT: I just did a quick test with pink noise from Ableton to 424 on both new old stock TDK SA-X 60 and ATR ProChrome with same settings. The ATR recording is significantly lower level.

[@c-kasetti]

I never rebiased my 4-track, I have never even seen type 2 tapes. Always used Maxell type 1 cassettes for everything. Sounds completely fine for lofi stuff, my stuff sounds sloppy tho, I'm real bad at recording still lol. Interested in type 2 cause type 1 do wear out too fast

[@424Recording]

Yeah that's always the big issue I've found. Idk how often you clean your machine but I always found there to be a lot of tape shed with Type is too

[@c-kasetti]

@@424Recording Good to know. Never cleaned it before, haven't really used it that much yet.

[@BerlinBerlin]

Sadly, In 2016 I threw away my cassettes with lots of type 2 and even same of type 3 and even 4 ,while moving. It was recorded music from CD on it.

[@424Recording]

Bummer!

[@rain.faded.]

Why do you prefer 60 over 90 for the cassettes?

[@424Recording]

I am under the impression that the tape stock used in the 60s is thicker than the 90s which is important for recording for a few reasons. It probably doesn't make the biggest difference but I wouldn't go any thinner than 90

[@porcorosso111]

In Australia, I have only found eBay to be reliable. Reliably pricey though - would love to know if anyone else knew some other options.

[@424Recording]

Thanks for the info, James. That's a tough call... I know that you could probably order some from the States or the EU but the shipping would send the price thru the roof...

[@424Recording]

Looks like some people are recommending dupeshop.com.au

[@Sean-uo5ef]

Ebay. I've only been able to find NOS.

[@424Recording]

Yeah, that seems to be the case from here on out... thanks, Sean!

[@ineedstuff8286]

what happens if i use type i?

[@424Recording]

The machine's not biased for it. You can use them, but you might find the audio quality is not as good and that the tapes break down faster in the machine and you'll need to clean it more often

[@webprofile9972]

There’a an ebay store Mining Vintage that gets them all the time. I bought several from them

[@424Recording]

Great tip!

[@BugzKiller]

I know the prices today....Yikes! I was lucky enough to buy many of them when they were closing out back in the day, checking the local electronic stores for about a month.... TDK, Maxell, Sony, Etc. all 90 minute ones all High Bias Type ll. There was a 5 pack in the bunch of TDK's $3.90 from Best Buy from back then. Also check your local Goowdwill stores, been finding new ones in the package the past few years for $1.00 each, same thing High Bias. The Type ll are the way to go with much better quality sound Vs normal bias, Type 1. I even got some Type ll 20 minute tapes for a few songs on each side to record. Got them in bulk when they were closing out at a DJ store back then. Just wanted to mention from years of experience, when using Type 1 on the 4 trackers, use a faster speed for better quality sound . Just a note.

[@424Recording]

Thanks for this mountain of info, JPC! I appreciate you, man!

[@giuseppelavecchia775]

Cassetta type 2=HIGH PERFORMANCE!

[@bobsbits5357]

hi i have tyre ll pancakes what i had from tapeline in the past and some one i know mate had a 1/8 dubbing set up used BTR 4 slaves so i got hold of alot of dubbing gear i have reel to reel 1/8 tape decks a fostex 80 heads went bad so i put on 4 track tascam port studio heads there is 1/8 inch tape out there you have to buy alot at once come in 18.000 ft lp tape c90 or 1050ft sp tape c60 the big players will not sell to us min order would be 40 pancakes the new TYPE 1 is very good that new fox tape is the same as tapeline are selling i pimp cassette decks all the time the BIAS there's ways to do this if you know now

[@theanalogguy1988]

I have plenty of NEW OLD STOCKS CHROME EXTRA AND CHROME MAXIMA

[@thehunterofdeath2180]

Ebay n revert

[@peterw1213]

Can't find any type 2 tapes in Taiwan. Internet, flea markets, thrift stores, cassette tapes hobby groups.....zilch

[@424Recording]

Australia maybe? I think there is a company making some there

[@darrylclaxton2757]

High Bias with Dolby C is great