Tascam, ATR & NAC brand new Type II cassettes: Test & comparison. Any good?

[@anadialog]

ERRATA CORRIGE: I wrote that the NAC Type II cassette is $40.70 but that is the price of a 10 pack, so each cassette is actully $4.70. Sorry about that!

[@keithneal5369]

I could actually afford these. I recently picked up an Ariston double cassette deck, in immaculate condition fully working, from a cash converters for 17 quid. I had to query the price. Someone didn't know what Ariston was.

[@AudioFileZ]

Well...we're making progress. One problem solved, and not an inconsequential one at that. But I hope NAC can come up with a solution to the poor MOL and SOL (I'm kind of extrapolating regarding SOL).

[@MrKLindholm]

These are hissy cassettes? IS this something to do with magnetic particle size?

[@AudioGuyBrian]

@@MrKLindholm I was wondering if the recordings were made with any Dolby or DBX encoding. I would like to hear what they would sound like in one of my Dolby S capable decks.

[@trduff89]

Not to resurrect this but now knowing that the nac tapes are 4.70 each which is comparable to the fox recording the masters type 1 tapes you recommended over these. Would you still recommend going with the type 1?

[@tomcarre8280]

The tape stock is all made by National audio company in United States. The tascam hubs are 3d printed by music box and also loaded into c-0 manufactured by music box. The only other companies that produce usable cassette tape are panguang and rtm and neither produce type II.

[@goodtimefolkrock]

This is true

[@frequincyrecording4286]

I’ve hit the NAC tape pretty hard in my Tascam 246 and Tascam 238 and was pretty happy with the results. I haven’t had the opportunity to compare some different vintage tape types recordings A/Bing in Pro Tools yet from my Tascam multi trackers, but the sound of the new tape was decent compared to the source recordings in Pro Tools. I will say the recordings I made without DBX noise reduction were noisy, but the Tascams were always a bit noisy without noise reduction.

[@BogoEN]

That’s really interesting. I have a 246 and was debating trying my demo of the NAC in it. What I found with my Yamaha 4trk was that the DBX somehow wasn’t calibrated for this new formulation; I get a lot of pumping, to the point where ai thought there was something wrong with my unit. Then I realized these have way more bass than a typical typeii and that was likely causing the issue. Have you tried using DBX with these?

[@mitfreundlichengrussen1234]

The Dragon is the ultimate beast. Thanks for testing the ....!

[@larryhazelwood5491]

Does it have dbx?

[@ENB2002]

Has anybody noticed that the tape in the C799 isn't wrapped around the guide posts in the shell like the Tascam and the ATR?

[@bobsbits5357]

hi man you are right the new tape is alot better new Type 1 is better i had some of that new new Type 1 from tapeline i run at 3 3/4 ips wow it's very good

[@ЮрийМельников-ы6н]

классные кассеты я таких не видел хотя я коллекционер😮

[@MacXpert74]

Very interesting video. I have to agree with you that even the cheapest Type 1 tapes, from old stock, but good brands (for instance TDK - D) would sound far superior to these new Type II tapes. The amount of hiss and distortion on these is totally terrible. (I found that Tascam had more hiss than the ATR, btw). The studio master had some less distortion, making it 'semi useable' but also had the highest self-noise. The Sony UX-S totally destroyed these tapes with low-hiss and clear distortion free audio. You're much better off buying old stock, I'm afraid. It's a shame!

[@soulslip]

I disagree it is a shame. I mean the fact we haven’t really had any new type ii for decades. It only goes up from here if we want it to. This is just the start. I have been a customer of ATR and RTM for years and their R2R tape is fantastic. Once they adjust the formulas I believe we will not have much to worry about.

[@BogoEN]

I want to stay positive and give NAC props for their efforts to spearhead a manufacturing revival here in the ‘States of types 1 & 2 tapes. That said I *really* hope they are staying humble and paying attention to videos and reviews like these. I own multiple Portastudios and will add that without noise reduction, they were passible, but with DBX the pumping artifacts made the cobalt formula unusable. I have to say props to NAC for not price-gouging like Tascam and ATR - shame on you both. Great video. Here’s hoping RTM gets into the game and shows everyone how it’s done 🤞🏻.

[@MostlyPennyCat]

Finally somebody's put one in a Portastudio! Honestly I don't see what the attraction for anybody else is with blank tapes, pre-recorded yes blanks no. Without DBX overdubbing is a non-starter so I guess NAC is a no go for production for me. Shame, I was really looking forward to having an easy supply of Type II. There's no way to adjust the calibration without opening up your Portastudio, is there? Not even sure that would help.

[@BogoEN]

@@MostlyPennyCat You can calibrate most Porta's to a different standard for sure, but this formula is weird; it has all the high end of a standard Type II, but has the bass of a type 1, so the way most machines calibrate bias will be out of whack with this formula, especially Tascams. If you want to get ahead of the crowd, you could bias your machine to the RTM Fox Type 1 cassette, or even Maxell UR 1s which are a dime a dozen (not literally, of course). And agreed on the blanks, I don't quite get it unless you're into collecting. Although I do enjoy making cassettes of some of my best LPs for full analog effect on the go...

[@MostlyPennyCat]

@@BogoEN After downloading the waves for this video they sound a bit hissy compared to the very best tape in the very best gear. It ran out of puff now and then when there was just too much going on. But the result was the odd weird hihat. At _four_ dollars a cassette (not 40) for NAC I think I can work with that. eBay is full of NOS Chrome tape but at £5 to £10 a tape so I have a good source of NOS and a cheap infinite supply at NAC which can only get better. What I need to do is invent a piece of extra hardware that allows you to 1) Work perfectly with NAC's new formulations (good bass and trebble? Sounds like a good thing to me) 2) Select your tape formulation via your phone. 3) And it gets soldered inside the Portastudio. 4) And it recalibrates the dbx for it too.

[@nohrtillman8734]

I’ve experimented with the TASCAM Studio 424 tape for a couple weeks now. With a clean, demagged 424 MKII, record/playback at 3-3/4 ips, I’ve found: 1) Recording direct, channel Off, DBX on, there are pops (static?) on playback of the dead track. 2) Recording a pure sine wave input, DBX on, the hiss noise floor is high, and there are pops. 3) Recording DBX Off, anything except a dead track is noisy with tape hiss. 4) Recording an acoustic electric guitar, DBX On, results in a perfect reproduction on playback. I can’t even detect the tape is running before the instrument starts playing. Startling how clear and noiseless it is. 5) Recording with a low-z microphone, DBX On, also results in exact reproduction on playback. No hiss or pops even in the quiet pauses. Use that for what it’s worth, but the TASCAM claim that the 424 Master was optimized for 424 portastudios is at least conditionally true.

[@anadialog]

Interesting, thanks for sharing that.

[@latheofheaven]

Man, many years ago when I was recording cassettes for my car system, I *ABSOLUTELY* bought TDK-SAX cassettes WHENEVER I saw them! I remember just before they phased them out, I scored like 20 of the l'l buggers and I thought I was in Heaven 😁

[@anadialog]

I bet! Among the best out there!

[@paulrogers7067]

Try the tdk maxgs . Another huge step up.

[@agegroot5666]

In the final stage of the cassette era most tapes were high standard products,have some cheaper SKC chromes from 1993 and they sound good too. Most tapes i bought in the 90s were TDK's,Maxells and Sony's, most chromes and some metaltapes and they all sound great. Never used ferro tapes during those days but it wouldn't surprise me when they sound ok too. The differences between older tapes and tapes from the last era are remarkable, made some recordings on old tapes (late70S first half 80s) >> calibrated but they didn't sound as good as recordings on the named brands and types from the 90s.

[@MidnightVisions]

Sony type 4 metal was the best sounding tape available. However Sony sabotaged the line by manufacturing a dropout in the tapes. I purchased over a hundred cassettes, and every single Cassette had this one dropout spot. Sony never admitted to the dropout, but much later it came out it was done to prevent perfect bootleg copies.

[@anadialog]

I didn't know this (sad) story. What model and year(s) was it?

[@UrielX1212]

I use old TDK SA90s and Maxell XL-IIs and they are just too hard to beat. The fact is these new makers have to relearn the art and it is going to take time. They are not massive corporations like Maxell, TDK or Sony who have the R&D to make it happen overnight.

[@anadialog]

Indeed!

[@soulslip]

Exactly

[@stevesloan7132]

Wow. Looks like your using a Nakamichi Dragon. They were and still are the best cassette deck tech. I had the earlier LX 3 which was great. But the Dragon is the best for recording and playback. It would be epic if they started making them again!

[@plateoshrimp9685]

I’ve used the Tascam tapes in a portastudio (424 mkIII). They sound like garbage. Quality control seems to be a problem too, because they vary from pretty bad to “is my recorder broken” outright unusable.

[@andreasklindt7144]

Ferrycobalt cassette tape formulae were introduced in the 1970's as a royalty free alternative to DuPont's cromium formulae. The results were so good, that some of the best Type II from the 1980's were in fact ferricobalt - like all from TDK or the BASF "Chromium Extra" (the 'extra' was cobalt), probably even most of the Sony's (with the 'super' in 'superchrome' indicating the cobalt). Ferricobalt could be used for excellent Type I cassettes and some mixtures apperantly even reached the spec level of Type IV... There's one cassette in the 1990's that even had a ferricobalt tripple coating: TDK SA-XS. *That's* the level that can be reached with cobalt! *That's* what the companies should aim for. For *that* I probably would spend between 20-30 Dollar/Euros per blank cassette...

[@anadialog]

Indeed! Almost all Japanese formulations had that and brought the quality to its limit.

[@sevcaczech5961]

It's not not corect info. Basf Chromdioxid Extra and Chrome Extra were single-layer true chromes up to 1993-1994. Since ca. 1995 they were single-layer chrome/ferric cobalt mix (85%/15%). The last Emtec tapes (2000+) are materially uncertain, here it may have been a purely ferro-cobalt mixtures.

[@andreasklindt7144]

​@@sevcaczech5961 I stand corrected.

[@DaXande135]

@@anadialog Yes, BASF used chomiumdioxide on their mid range models until the mid 1990’s.

[@mvv1408]

You can easily determine by the tape colour whether it's ferrocobalt or real chromedioxide tape formulation. Ferrocobalt = darkbrown, chromedioxide = greyblue.

[@RavenMaven]

10:20 SONY 13:34 TASCAM 16:54 STUDIO MASTER 20:09 ATR I agree. I bought the ATR and TASCAM and found them to be incredibly noisy. I will continue to find NOS and used type ii for quality recording. What I will do is switch out the tape from these R2R cassettes so I have a cool looking shell but with quality tape inside. Also, the TASCAM was catching on itself because the reel is too small for the tape itself. Bad design !!

[@MadeOnTape]

oh my goodness i'm just seeing this video. I'm in the middle of editing a type ii cassette shootout with 7 NOS tapes and the the NAC thrown in there. I was so disappointed in the new cassette and am "happy" to see that I wasn't crazy. Thank you for this. Kind of a bummer. I also appreciate the modern companies trying to get new tapes out there, but they need to hear our voices and hopefully can change... wayyyy too expensive for an inferior product. If the product was great, the modern price may be justified.

[@anadialog]

So embarrassing...

[@fourpeaksaudio4964]

Sad indeed... Imo they are just taking advantage of the growing "analog" interests... And rushing junk to the market for sales...!!! If this continues, look for high quality new old stock to go up in price again... Time to stock up... By the way, just picked up a nice Pioneer deck with dbx in excellent condition... And I'm getting great results with Sony hf and Maxell ur tapes... Recorded at +3db...!!! My first dive into dbx recording and it's amazing how close they sound to the original...

[@anadialog]

Good job!

[@fourpeaksaudio4964]

@@anadialog model # is pioneer ct2070r... Looks like a basic deck... But inside its built like a tank and makes excellent tape... I'll post a video soon... Cheers...

[@pcorf]

I picked up a used 1986 TDK AD-X90 type 1 cassette for $1 from a Thrift shop and recorded on it. Sounded amazing. Cassettes were the best in the 1980's and 1990's. I record mainly on type 1's, esp 1980's TDK AD or later TDK D and Maxell UR's and they do a great job. I have recorded on some older type 2's like the TDK SA and Maxell UD-II and they were great indeed, certainly less hissy than the type 1's. But nearly all cassette albums released were released on type 1's which are compatible with everything.

[@BICIeCOMPUTERconGabriele]

Yes, but in the '90 most pre recorded cassettes were on chrome tape, but type I bias, to be compatible on every player, but still getting some advantages of the chrome tape.

[@Warren1814]

Never the less great video.. And because of your video.. lol I listened to one of my old tapes last night.. And i forgot how beautiful the good old audio cassettes sounded like. Pure stereo joy!!! 😀

[@chriscutress1702]

That pricing is ridiculous. Thank goodness I still have some TDK CrO2 tapes from the golden age of cassette tape.

[@qtrhassan7170]

It is true that companies have become crazy about prices to achieve great sales because the cassette is not available in the market. $40 for a blank cassette is insane, and on the other hand, I'd buy new vinyl for $40. Thanks for the clarification.

[@brunohebert1351]

@def creator yep, if I remember well, it was usually 25% of the vinyl for a UX, maybe 20% for a UX-S and like 10-15% for a cheap type I. So at $40 a record, the tapes should be a $10. I'd accept $15 as there isn't yet the scale of production that they had back then. But anyway, nowadays, we would be hard pressed to find a brand new type 2 cassettes at less than $20

[@Patrick_Roach]

According to the website, the $40 is for a 10 pack.

[@FLH3official]

Well. You can hear perfectly in the test, and these new overpriced cassettes are crap. Unfortunately NOS are still what to use for quality. Add "only be good for a Portastudio"? This lie. Wel all know that.

[@117TheBig]

Can't wait for type 5 ❤

[@anadialog]

🤞😂

[@MrKLindholm]

Why not 🤔🙃

[@starlightgrecording559]

@starlightgrecording559 Hi Anadialog*** Gerard Stroh!!! Here are My Thoughts About The New Cassettes To Sad To Say the Older Cassettes Type 2 or Type 4 The Older Maxell or TDK Tapes Made in the Early 70's 80's 90's Were Better and These Tapes are A Piece of Crap and I hate to say That *** My Maxell & TDK and I still Have These Tapes and They still Record Good!!! I have A Good Cassette Deck and My Choice Is Recording The Masters SM900 or SM911 Reel to Reel Tape and For Cassettes I will Use My Old New Stock Cassette Tapes!!! That's My Take on these New Cassette Tapes and Also The Sound Was Breaking up on These Recordings!!! Bye From Gerard Stroh!!!

[@TonyAndersonMusic]

This video and your style and review were phenomenal. Im so glad I found your channel. Thanks for being honest on the cassette quality. I wonder if Tascam and ATR are appealing to the modern music producer who doesn't mind a bit of hiss - so perhaps they cut corners. For example, I use a Tascam 122 MK2 as part of my music production process. I send digital recordings from my computer to cassettes and then roll the signal right off the tape and send it back into the computer. It adds intentional warmth, wow and flutter depending on the settings, and I actually prefer there to be imperfections and pitch instability. This is how most people using the portastudio are thinking of using cassettes these days. The exact opposite of the Dragon experience. If there's hiss, I can use a filter to eliminate some of it (either using the dolby settings on the deck or using software plugins). Now, this does not excuse cheap production methods, and im frustrated they are cutting corners, but it might explain why they can get away with it...excellent product design and branding paired with USA craftsmanship. the noise sucks, but again most of us use filters to take care of that in post.

[@anadialog]

Thanks! Well, as you have seen and heard it's not just a matter of hiss. It's the overall quality of the sonics to be quite poor. Nevertheless, it is true that I did not test the Tascam with a Portastudio, but I am pretty sure that it wouldn't change much. A good tape formulation is good in any case and use.

[@GiveUsMusic]

So no good tape saturation, I heard the drop outs in low frequency right away. Crap shoot, what a bummer.

[@runepedersenDK]

I love the Denon HD8S metal (IEC type II position) tapes. Very good for treble rich music (high SOL10k), and they were very cheap here in Denmark. Slightly more noise than most other type II's, but with the high SOL, you can record at a high level, even with treble rich music. I got 300+ of them from the 80's/90's.

[@soulslip]

I found about 8-10 in great condition at a thrift store recently and had no idea what I bought. The recording I made sounded sooo good! It blew me away actually. Then read they are highly regarded. Just wish I had them in C-60 size/base thickness

[@montynorth3009]

I bought 100 Evangelist spouting religious tapes, complete with a brief case, from a charity shop for the princely sum of 10 quid! They all had the recording tabs in place and were a mixture of TDK, Maxell and Agfa type 1 brands. Bloody brilliant!😄

[@anadialog]

Way to go!

[@Aaron-iz3hk]

I found some at a thrift store. I got 5 Type 2 for $1.50. It was a pleasure recording over the hate and intolerance that was being spouted on the tapes. I thought some Black Sabbath was appropriate...

[@stephenfiore9960]

Maxell XLII. Now someone bring back Sony Clear Voice portable tape recorder

[@christianwilliamson9752]

Thank God I have a dollar store and I get maxwell ur60 tapes type 1 for 1.50 a tape. Not type ll I miss those but the maxells perform well as you know

[@djjoep100]

And I just got the nac tapes 10 pack I guess I will go back to the Recording of the masters fox c 90 tapes

[@devroombagchus7460]

Thanks. I’ll take your words on the cassettes. KZbin and my iPad are not the means for me to judge.

[@Minus-km7hx]

Yeah these all kinda stink. The sony is fantastic even if its old stock.

[@yanivshef]

Thank you for the review , you save a lot of bad experience with “promising” cassettes. What about those 30 year old TDK , Sony and others , do they worth the investment ? And are they still fresh and working ? Thanks for your great important channel 👏 (btw I could hear the superiority of the Tascam cassette in your review)

[@anadialog]

Yes, NOS is still the best way to go and if you are patient you can also make some deals

[@iridium130m]

Completely agree with you at least on the NAC Type II. i have a box of 10 and seriously can't win with recording on any of them in either a sony 3 head or nak. They just distort like crazy no matter what the record level is or bias adjustment or position in the tape. My used mid 1980s Maxwell Type 1 UR cassettes re-recorded on today are significantly cleaner and consistent and my late 80's TDK type IIs just destroy them. Even my crap new Maxell URs bought in 2022 while lacking a frequency response at least are consistent. Really too bad.

[@musicstevecom]

Please Can you compare the New Type I ? TDK D90 vs Maxwell UR 90 (cheapest) vs Sony HF vs Fox vs others? looks like the New Type II cobalt-based cassettes are not worth buying?

[@anadialog]

I wish TDK had a new tape! The Fox is outstanding, peobably the best type I currently produced. The UR are right behind. Other types I tried, so so...

[@musicstevecom]

@@anadialog Thanks, I'm rebuilding some Pioneer CT-F900 and 950 so I have been looking for new tapes (I have not bought a TDK Type II tape for decades LOL ) So The new TDK D90 are not new? or just new old formula? their a lot out their?, Looks like the Maxwell UR 90 is the way to go for now! since the Fox is out of my prices range. The New Type II COBALT based are just not the same as the old type II and not worth it (I'm glad I saw your video and did not buy the NAC C756 or any of other ones ) Hopefully a New Type II formula will be made, Time will tell?

[@cubdukat]

Well, I think I can safely say that these are three Type II cassettes that I will be avoiding.

[@kensmechanicalaffair]

Tascam on down was god awful.

[@joelcarson9514]

Yep, the Sony UX-S blows the new ones out of the water. I can get better results with TDK Ferric D's out of my mid-range decks, I'll put up with a little more hiss from a good Type 1 for better tone than these overpriced clunkers.

[@rodolfodiaz389]

Es la primera vez que veo tu canal y me simpatizo mucho la cantidad de detalle, pues estaba viendo el video y descargue los archivos para escucharlos en paralelo a la presentación, a mis 52 años crecí con la música análoga y con las cintas de audio, pues ahora descargue los archivos y los abrí en Adobe Audition (tarjeta de sonido externa y audífonos Sanheissen) con gran sorpresa y satisfacción Sony y desconcierto escuche los siguientes archivos y analice su espectro con decepción, me hice mi opinión y placenteramente no estaba lejos de la tuya, concuerdo con la gran cantidad de ruido (siseo) y distorsión de los nuevos casetes.....en fin, habrán pasado unos 25 años desde los mejores Sony UX?.....pues no entiendo que ha pasado para que nos quieran vender algo así Mis Saludos.

[@anadialog]

Thanks a bunch!

[@vidtech2630]

Might be better of buying old pre-recorded Cr02 chrome dioxide cassettes, that had classical music recorded on them originally and recording over it , if you can find, undamaged tapes.

[@anadialog]

Indeed!

[@nickbitten9910]

Very interesting topic- ( by the way that album seems worth purchasing ). Those tapes seem a lot of money for what they are - I have been fortunate to pick up lots decent tapes for little money in charity shops recently do dropping £30 - £40 on a Tascam tape for example is a no-no. * On the flip side though, it is good to know there is more interest in tapes these days. Will be interesting to see if decent decks will be made again ( in the meantime will hang onto the decks I have).

[@birdscds47]

I thought the Sony was the best. All cassettes are hissy when you don't have noise reduction switched in. Pity we don't have El-cassettes as these were really good because they ran at double the speed of the 'normal' cassettes.

[@Astralify]

I find it funny that the taSCAM literally looks like a type zero based on the design, and obviously the sound is type zero territory as well. And for that price? That's just insulting. All of these use NAC's crappy and inadequate cobalt formulations, so they are basically NACs. And NAC is a complete joke at this point. Only good new tape is the FOX as you've said.

[@linusw]

I think your correction saying that the NAC's go for $4 each tape, and the results of that and the ATR tape are similar, if not identical, but ATR charges nearly 20 dollars for one tape, shows very clearly they are overcharging for a product that likely cost's them $2 to make.

[@anadialog]

Indeed!

[@dogcowrph]

I always used Maxell XLII. I just saw a brand new seven pack on eBay for $163 USD. That’s just insane. I used to get a box of ten for $25 USD. I hope Type II tapes. Come back into production and some high quality decks. Used prices are simply insane and garbage recorders from China are fetching over a hundred dollars.

[@jmi5969]

Have you tried late-generation UDII? Last time I bought them (2021?) they were under $3 a piece, and they were good, especially when recorded and played at 120us. Not as good as TOTL type I's, but certainly not worse than the 1982 XLII.

[@joeyjustin6895]

160 for a box of old type II MAXELS Is worth it when it comes to sound. Absolutely superb

[@UrOpinionsSucc]

Amazon has Maxell XLII's for a better price, that's where i get mine from, as well as most cassettes. I even got the last remaining 80's UDS-II

[@plateoshrimp9685]

The Tascam 424-s tapes are terrible.

[@jimgijbels9084]

Nice Philips in the back!!

[@yoann_]

Just bought a ATR Cobalt Silver Type II for my Portastudio, but I'm disaspointed. It is not as good as an old Chrome Type II

[@kaitmmeras8945]

Wow... Can a cassette sound this good, i don't remember that.. Time to rediscover Mc👍 but this cassetteplayer are is a high End one. I have a Technics from the 90's, do you think that will do the jobb?

[@anadialog]

Which model? One of my favorite decks is the Technics Rs-B100, I also made a video on it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnfcd6GBe5hmrNE

[@bob7872]

I heard dropouts on the Tascam tape. I have a question, what's the difference between the cobalt and chrome, does the cobalt break down easier? I agree with you, that it's good that they are listening to people in making new tapes, but they also need to pay attention to what we are saying about the quality. Thanks for the video.

[@anadialog]

I actually prefer the old Japanese cassettes that were mainly based on cobalt than the European Chrome based ones...but you got to know how to make them! In our three new cases, this is clearly not happening...a pale imitation where not even a sufficient performance was achieve and the price they are asking is more of a high quality Type IV metal cassette!

[@its-all-happening2172]

Man those prices are ridiculous! I was really excited with this news but with those prices? It seems these companies are just trying to rip us off. I will not spend that kind of money for a single cassette tape when you can get old stock or used type II with far better sound quality for much lower price. Very disappointed.

[@MostlyPennyCat]

The NAC tapes are £4, he put the decimal place in the wrong place

[@andrewmorgan6734]

I bought the Tascam 424S recently, I was pretty disappointed with them too. I was conducting my own tests on the Tascams. I recorded my own test sound track on a Maxell UR 60 and Tascam 424S on my Onkyo Integra TA-2056 and my Sony KA1ESA. A cheap Type 1 Maxell UR 60 sounded better than this new Type 2. A big disappointment I really wished I watched this video before bought the new Tascam tapes.

[@daanherreman8161]

Thank you for this honest review. I am sure you can still find NOS type2 cassettes at far lower prices, in fact I bought 20 new tapes of Sony UXS tapes from Italy at 7 euro per piece, shipping included….

[@anadialog]

Indeed. The fact that Tascam at a certain point doubled the peice because it saw sales moving and others were asking more than them was extremely disappointing. Not what I expect by Tascam.

[@mgtybulletproof]

I am so glad you did this review.. thank you so much for this.. I was wondering about these cassettes .. excellent review.. this saved me money not to buy these cassettes..

[@morenocasalegno3532]

Those new attempts to just make some easy bucks exploiting some nostalgic fashion are pure garbage and give producers a very bad name and a point of no return in terms of trust for what I'm concerned. Glad there are still many old TDK SA available around the world for a reasonable price.

[@pcorf]

Good old SA = brilliant stuff.

[@rajugupta-chaudhary6467]

Shame the tapes gone were master pieces

[@metastaticmince2386]

what a pitty...

[@Jose-jn4yy]

Gracias amigo por el video, un saludo desde Uruguay .

[@anadialog]

Ola!!

[@asbcustom]

Thanks for the tests, that was well done. I'm wondering how you were able to use the Patricia Barber track without getting dinged by KZbin? I'd like to use some particular tracks for my own video tests but they flag me even when I have the musician's permission.

[@anadialog]

I am amazed ad well. I always get a copyright claim but it's ok for me. In this case I was lucky....won't last long. They will catch up.

[@beosliege]

Yep. It’s so silly because they don’t realize “sample” videos like this contribute to people actually buying legit copies the original recording.

[@summer20105707]

For some reason they had to replace it, but a few years ago NAC had a really good type 1 tape called the Audio Pro 90. I'm disappointed because I didn't buy more of them while I could. Then they released an inferior tape that they called a super ferric. It was a mediocre tape at best. It's sad to see these type 2s doing so poorly. But I'm glad they're trying. I may give Nacs tapes another try since I hear they're changing the formula a little bit. The audio pro reminds me of classic 80s Memorex or Radio shack supertape.

[@anadialog]

NAC in the past was using high quality NOS AGFA-BASF reels of tape now gone

[@MrKLindholm]

I was expecting this. There where tests allready (Cassette Comeback, Tapeheads). Results with these cassettes are bad. Sorry fellows, IT seems that NOS IS better in cassettes. I am wondering , how difficult IT is to make pseudochrome tape pigments. Surely IT IS not astrophysics? Or is the real problem money?

[@todoreldub]

Same case, same factory

[@melovemusic69]

Love your honesty brother. I'm disappointed just because you were let down as I was so excited to see when you first heard about the Tascam.

[@anadialog]

I know, it's very disappointing...:-(

[@g2skinny]

Dude I know you can’t hit copyrights on you tube but some eagles or journey or Led Zeppelin would be so much better or Pink Floyd

[@anadialog]

I do that several times in other videos...I don't care to lose monetization

[@g2skinny]

@@anadialog I understand dude

[@newtronix]

And on top of it all C60s!

[@hugobloemers4425]

Ah, well, we just have to get along with vintage tapes until the time comes. And lets hope for that. On a separate note, Guido, may I ask you kindly, please, to provide the time in the video where the demo stops. I am not interested to listen three times to music that is not my thing on the speakers of my laptop. And I am quite happy to just take your word for the sonic differences.

[@anadialog]

Yes, I actually wanted to do that...but forgot! Done!

[@bletheringfool]

Look at the bottom of the video, there are chapters

[@antonisxenos1053]

The UXS was definitely the least noisy. The most noisy was the third cassette. Heard in my mobile. Go figure!

[@elderinmoi1571]

Tx for this video. It is even more valuable to hear if products are not worth their money.

[@anadialog]

Thank YOU

[@keithneal5369]

Seems like the message is, don't buy these overpriced products. Buy job lots of used cassettes of Ebay, wipe them clean , discard the crap and use the good ones. I don't mean pre recorded commercial tapes cos they are usually awful.

[@saverioricchiuto5386]

Ciao Guido, I’m trying to dig into your tapes-related videos, but I think I’m missing the point (so maybe there are some I haven’t seen yet?). Back in the ‘80s when I was a kid, there were 3 main use cases that made cassettes great, at least in my opinion. First one was portability (Walkman, cars, …), which is not really an issue today, when all you need is your mobile phone. Second one was the possibility to create your own “compilations”, which again is what today we can do with custom playlists with no problem. Third, but most important for me at that time, was the possibility to “borrow” music from others and record it. I had no money back then to buy all the music I loved, so tapes were my “go to” solution and my tape deck was the most important piece on my dad’s hi-fi system. What is the use case for tapes nowadays? Besides nostalgia, does it make any sense to buy a tape (and even not good quality, as you just pointed out) that costs more than the record you could save on it? Yeah I understand, recording a live performance can be a different use case…but hi-fi and audiophile OCD is totally about reproduction, not recording… Happy to get your point of view here.

[@anadialog]

The three reasons you listed are exactly the ones when I was a kid in the 80's and 90's. NOW, actually a few years ago, that I have more resources I could finally afford a high quality tape deck like (several now) high quality type 2,3,4 cassettes. That is a combination that unless you try you just don't believe it it's so good. When done properly, better than vinyl and very close to reel to reel. With these high-quality streaming services like Qobuz I can record any record I want on them with max quality. A revolution! Here is the dedicated video on this topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2LWnIJsp6maqqM

[@marlenestockton2269]

Wait...wait I need more reflection...please hold the new tapes just like you did before. Thank you.

[@adamadamczyk6620]

A while ago I bought ATR reel to reel tape at the time I did not notice because it was my only tape. Later, however, I got used TDK. ATR in comparison is hiss audiable when music is low nevermind in between tracks. I do not recommend ATR. For that price you will be better off with old new stock.

[@stevewhitcher6719]

All the tape is made by NAC, it may have different quality assurance so the better may being sold as different product dependant on where it was cut from the roll but its the same stuff. Nac bought their equipment from a closed down manufacturer of the magnetic strips of credit cards, and it took them a couple of years to make somthing that was useable in home recorders their main market is making pre-recorded tapes and the first feric tape they made was geared and work for that from day 1 which it why it took some years before the home recordable stuff worked after they tweaked the formulation.

[@anadialog]

It isn't. I asked the president of NAC and he told me the Tascam tape was not made by him.

[@stevewhitcher6719]

@@anadialog well he might not be able to legally tell you they are the manufactuer. I have signed non-disclosure agreements myself. Given how few cassette tape manufacturers there are, and as far as i can tell only one is making cobalt doped tape, all in the US that is the conclusion i have drawn, that is my personal opinion. Similar to how you think that x is the same as y..... Anyway i still have type 2 pancakes NOS so i'm not that interested in new stuff. i do recieve samples of stuff from time to time not had any current production type 2 yet. If when i do i will be better able to judge.

[@brit-in-czech]

Don't ever be sorry. We follow you for your sincerity. Unlike other HI-FI 'enthusiasts' who only want us to click their affiliate links.

[@gixxerboy555]

When I record on old Type-1 TDK ..,Sony or Maxell..on my Nakamichi ZX-7..the sound-quality is almost like on a Type-2 .

[@sevcaczech5961]

All these tapes sourced the cobalt tapes-particles from a British-Korean company that announced a long time ago, that it was not able "to stabilize" the cobalt pigment. I believe that the decision to purchase this material was a commercial decision of these end companies. There is no rational reason to produce these unstabilized materials. By the way, the problem with cobalt stabilization was already solved by technicians in the 70's, and it seems that the final solution, which we also see with the UX-S cassettes, will be taken to the grave. As for the design of cassette cases and reels/hubs, this is due to the fact that all companies buy plastic cases, boxes and other mechanical parts from the Italian company MusicBox.

[@yanks1fan09]

If you don't use the same formulation or something similar it then there will be no good Type 2's in the future. I would stick with buying new old stock or a Type 1. The quality of the products across certain mediums like Vinyl and Cassette are not the same where as vinyl still has quality Turntable manufacturers and Audiophile pressings to somewhat justify prices. There are no good cassettes decks as are the cassettes to feed them. And even the prerecorded cassettes are marginal at best.

[@AudioFileZ]

Craig Stark would be proud of you for calling these out for what they are: expensive novelties that those of us used to tapes like SA-X will not be impressed with.

[@JacobFrey]

Anybody used to a TDK D wouldn't be impressed with these.

[@DANIELTHIBAULTchannel]

I don't understand people who buy normal bias type cassettes, it's not good quality for a good sound!

[@meikollekschn6470]

Nice video. A German test had the same result. A real shame: why such a product? Hope the makers improve the tape! Regards from Berlin!

[@lawrencerasmus]

I worked as a slitter from 1968 to 1970 at a company called Certron . I wonder if their still around

[@Gigidag77]

the ATR had some pretty poor sibilance "thiSSSS Town..." . the NAC was the "hissiest". The Tascam was the overall best.

[@larryhazelwood5491]

why did'nt you use your technics deck with dbx noise reduction?

[@anadialog]

No discounts! 😉

[@JG-pj3bg]

They sound more like type 1 tapes

[@anadialog]

I'd say type 0 ;-)

[@marlenestockton2269]

Why is a 19.95 60min single tape from ATR Magnetics worth even a passing consideration for a purchase? I say none; is the proper answer.

[@Abruzzo333]

I have a couple ATR cassettes including the 'gold series' but haven't gotten around to testing it yet but the ATR master tape for reel to reel is the best sounding tape I've ever used....and I've used a lot over the years.

[@richardmerriam7044]

I've used TDK MA-60 in a Nakamichi CR4-A. I pounded that tape, up to +3 or higher. Incredible formulation.

[@kucinggarukgaruk8728]

Anjrit ciri has kaset pita ada suara kleyob kleyob 😄😄😄😄

[@BishopEddie5443]

Boost the treble when recording and cut it when mastering; the hiss disappears when you cut treble- bringing it back to where it should've been.

[@tinagladu3744]

my buddy said he will give you 60 tapes for a1000 american dollars and you can charge the young people 50 dallors for 1 remember bests type 2 you have ever heard wink,wink

[@buhlir]

Yeah kinda a bummer, but as for me a recordist making music the ATR saturates in a really cool way ha. but kinda pricy for just that.

[@diamondfieldmusic]

YEOW - yeah those sounded pretty bad - lots of hiss and distortion. The Sony tape did a great job but that's a given. My recent tape release was on Fox RTM911 tape, duplicated in real time from 24bit masters, mastered specifically for cassette reproduction. The Fox stuff sounds pretty good. It would not be economical to do a run on these high-priced tapes (and also have mediocre results). PS: I absolutely loved the Patricia Barber track you used and will go and check out the whole album!

[@RandSilva79]

It looks like a lost knowledge...All 3 new cassettes sound awful compared to the Sony, the ATR has less hiss, but all of them sound muffled.

[@lizichell2]

I have maxell URs that sound better than these tapes

[@anadialog]

Absolutely yes!

[@gixxerboy555]

The more dark the tape the better the quality..it was in the 80's and 90's like that and i suppose it still is..

[@thisisnev]

Thanks for the review - sounds like these are just hipster bait. Absolutely not worth the prices.

[@sadgirl_fishi]

I think I have bad ears because I can't hear a difference between any of these except that the NAC C799 Studio Master had more hiss than the one before that.

[@tinagladu3744]

i know someone its type 0 from china and they are going up in price my buddy said dont tell the young people they dont get it they willpay big bucks ps wink,wink they are the bests just tell the young people that best type 2 you ever heard and heres a few tapes at half price ,pack ot four 120 american dollars ,wink,wink