TDK D Cassette Tape - 1992 vs 1997

[@PyramidBeats28]

I love seeing the graphics on package of these tapes. Brings back so many memories Maxell too. Great upload and channel i subscribed

[@TechieZeddie]

I personally miss the earlier designs like from the 80s and 90s when I grew up.

[@Zimmy_1981]

I have heard those were better quality too​@@TechieZeddie

[@TechieZeddie]

@@Zimmy_1981 they're not. Formulation got better and better as time went on. The shell design on the older ones were better though. Shell design got cheaped out but formulation improved. 🤷‍♀️

[@Zimmy_1981]

@@TechieZeddie oh wow, nice! thanks

[@danieltapiajuarez3738]

4:40 i use this tdk d90 model in 2005 in México

[@Konstantin_Terletskiy]

Oh, well... I have both versions. 1992 US version - I bought bunch of them new sealed in Columbia, Maryland in 1994, and I am still using them. Some of them contain recodrings I made back in 1994, some of them were recorder later, but its performance is still good. 1997 version - I have both US and European versions of it, I guess TDK D in general appeared to be the most popular cassette in my collection. The oldest TDK D I have is 1982 version, which I bought in Moscow, Russia in 1984, when Soviet government purchased a lot of entry level type 1 cassettes from various vendors, they were pretty expensive, though, 9 Brezhnev Soviet Roubles for the 90-minute cassette was a lot of money that days (unlimited monthly transportation ticket for ALL public transportation in Moscow was... 6 roubles, good lunch you could get for about 1 rouble. One trip for bus or subway was 0.05 roubles, trolley 0.04 roubles, city train 0.03 roubles. Salary for the engineer was about 120 roubles a month, so guess how expensive was the cassette). But regardless of this, there were lines in Soviet stores to buy these cassettes, I saw people buying 10-packs! I could afford for my student per diem to buy just 2 TDK D 90 in 1984, one of them I still own and it still records well even though it was heavily used in various equipment, so tape got damaged in several places. But then I personally liked yellow versions of BASF LH Extra I, so I still have about 10 of them from 1984-1985.

[@TechieZeddie]

Sounds like you're well travelled, my friend!

[@Konstantin_Terletskiy]

@@TechieZeddie I am Russian citizen, I was born in Moscow, USSR, but in 1994 I traveled to U.S. just for software engineer training for 4 month, and since 1997 till 2007 I just permanently lived and worked in the US for American company as software engineer. Then I returned back to Russia and work here for Russian company. And I never quit cassettes as recording media, so I have some of them since 1980s

[@Rompler_Rocco]

Very cool to explore the subtle differences! Reminds me that have a load of interesting D's which I'm dying to know more about.. They are plain, bulk, duplicator-style tapes with clear shells and no jewel cases (cases came separately).. but manufactured / packed by TDK, and identified as D's. There are additional product codes printed on the boxes, but no amount of searching has yielded any information on them. I wish I knew when they were produced or how common they were.. they must have been common at one time, I would think? Anyway, thanks for another great video, Zeddie :)

[@wrestletube1]

The D is stilll a good performer. Maybe they should have put it higher ranked on their own listings.

[@Ale.K7]

I loved TDK Ds as a kid!

[@Fidelis94]

Some months ago I found my dad's 5 pack and a 3 pack of still sealed TDK D 60 from I believe 1998, when he was still taping CDs. I started recording on those and I was surprised by the quality of the sound, I didn't really think a cheap ferric from the late 90s would sound so good (and I have a cheap deck). They're definitely the best choice for quick mixtapes!

[@TechieZeddie]

Oh yes, the TDK D is my favorite entry level tape. It can take some crazy levels for a basic ferric!

[@ВиталийМихнёв-в3ю]

😎👍 Very good cassetters !

[@everygamersdream72]

I believe the slimline 'pyramid' D's are from later in the run, and that there was actually an orange j-card version in the middle somewhere. The later 'D in the middle' tapes that I've tried have flatly hated Dolby B. Sound okay without it, but a bit like the late 80's BASF Ferro Extra I, they just couldn't stand dolby. My 'D in the middle' ones are different from these though, different j card.

[@Mister-Salieri]

Its really hard to find these TDK Ds in the market. Even used ones from 90's performs really awesome.

[@darinb.3273]

Azimuth adjustment ONLY BECOMES an issue during playback... even the NAK machine can adjust it ONLY during the test tone it is recording... otherwise there is nothing to adjust too ... the PERFECT azimuth is the head gap a perfect 90° angle to the tape ... achieving that is questionable... I say that because special azimuth tapes have been made and I read a guys story (wish I could remember where) about purchases from three different company's and all three alignment tapes registered differently... so exactly how can alignment tapes be trusted ... which is why the designers of the Naks designed an easy way to adjust azimuth alignment... it varies way too much

[@TechieZeddie]

On the ZX-7 and ZX-9, the record head azimuth is adjustable. This relies on the play head azimuth to be calibrated though because it works by recording tones for which the play head plays back. When adjusting the record head's azimuth during calibration, you are aligning it to the fixed playback head. You're basically relying on the play head to be aligned and you're using it as your reference as you adjust your record head. On the Dragon, the playback head azimuth is adjustable, and it's done automatically because as it plays, the logic system is trying to find the best frequency response as it's adjusting the play head's azimuth. That's why you see the arrow light blink for a few seconds at the beginning when you hit the play button. The record head is fixed since it can't rely on the play head as a fixed reference point. The record head was aligned at the factory with calibration tools and references. This is why I feel the ZX series is designed ideally for recording while the Dragon is a playback monster, being able to adjust its azimuth to compensate for any tapes recorded on different decks and duplicators. Or in other words, it can play back any tape you throw at it no matter what recorded it at the most optimal azimuth.

[@darinb.3273]

@@TechieZeddie Hey Techie Zeddie I need to correct myself azimuth is important on the recording machine (in whether commercial duplication or on home equipment. The recording head gap is supposed to be a perfect 90° angle to the tape and as you know if it isn't the higher frequencies fall off the further away from the 90° angle. If Dolby noise reduction is used it makes it extremely apparent in the higher frequencies range (breathing as I think it's called). In my experience Dolby noise reduction (no matter the flavor "B, C or even S") even played back on the same machine if the azimuth is off the phasing can still confuse the Dolby circuitry, resulting in breathing. As I remember the Dragon the whole head block shifts and the head is unlike any other head it was specifically made with a spot exclusive for azimuth alignment by the designed circuitry for the custom alignment per each cassette played and as I remember it is an active system and not a single adjustment at only the start. I maybe incorrect though I don't have any Nak decks at all. I've only watched KZbins of folks working on such decks as the Nak Dragon. Anyway, no matter the cassette machine azimuth is a super critical for clean crisp highs to shine through even on ferric formulas.

[@tarstarkusz]

I have a black TDK D tape with a paper label that I recorded an album to in about 1986 or 87 and even though I had a good source, the tape sounded muffled. For some reason I never over-wrote the tape (probably because how bad it sounded) but stayed in my collection. That one tape gave me a really bad taste for the D tapes. I don't think I ever bought another one ever again.

[@inforobob]

Techie Zeddie, Enjoyed the vid. As I have different versions of D I was wondering if they were actually different, but hadn't taken the time to test.

[@TechieZeddie]

Those are the questions that keep me up, lol.

[@gixxerboy555]

You should compare C60 with C60 tape because..the C90 has thinner tape and that's why the quality is better on the C60..(15qm) and the C90 is only (10 or 11qm) ..

[@TechieZeddie]

Unfortunately I can only test with what I have at the time. There shouldn't be a huge difference in performance though. The C60 and C90 should use the same formulation if from the same year model. Worse case, a C120 for example, would have a harder time taking a signal. However, they were practically resolved around the mid 1990s with stronger materials so the tape doesn't stretch as badly, hence why 110s were more available around that time. I still think 110 TDK SA and Maxell XLII were very durable and still sound as good as their C90 and C60 counterparts.

[@gixxerboy555]

@@TechieZeddie what do you think about the 1995 version?I have the same deck.."ZX-7" lol..and a CR-4..also the CR-4 is awesome..thanx

[@inforobob]

Techie Zeddie, I still am hoping that you will set the cassettes and cases down more easily. You might have shell problems later from your rough handling.

[@inforobob]

@@Zed-Ded You have set them down hard on a hard surface. Why not reel in your ego and take some good advice?

[@TechieZeddie]

Robert Ober they should be pretty robust to handle a bit of rough handling. It's not like I'm throwing on a hard surface. What ego? And where in the video do you feel I'm rough handling them? If I accidentally slip and drop, that'll happen, btw. I'm clumsy.

[@inforobob]

@@TechieZeddie The human ego that makes you defensive instead of heeding a warning from an experienced person. Sorry, I don't have time to hunt a video segment that proves what you should know.

[@TechieZeddie]

@@inforobob Sorry if I offended you. I'll try to be more gentle next time.

[@inforobob]

@@TechieZeddie I am not offended, I am just trying to help. What you detect is frustration. I often have that when dealing with many Humans.

[@UtkarshAmitabhSrivastava]

Ok, I don't get it, how come azimuth varies from tape to tape. Isn't it the head alignment thing. Someone please explain it to me.

[@Fidelis94]

Each cassette has a slightly different/better case, and sometimes this causes the two tape reels to be slightly misaligned, so the head needs to be adjusted for every particular tape case.

[@HamtaroEL]

As well as back tensions from deck to deck.

[@darinb.3273]

Goodness what a topic about azimuth ... that all by itself is mostly responsible for commercially recorded tape (vender to vender I mean) for me if the azimuth could be accurate there would NOT be any variation on commercially recorded tape ... how could a slight adjustment be necessary other wise ... cassette shells aren't an issue because the tape is on a giant reel compared to the size in the cassette ... Watch "Pre-recorded Cassettes' Last Stand" on KZbin kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2HFln2QlrSIj68 ... this is a video explaining previous and the last methods used in the height of cassette's heyday... the cassette shells can POSITIVELY affect azimuth alignment shell to shell AND machine to machine ... on top of that the tape speed is so slow 1 7/8 inches per second... the tape simply doesn't go fast enough to better mask the imperfections in the tape itself ... anyway back to the azimuth adjustment it can NOT be spot on all the time simply because the tape itself varies its position as it is played at such a slow speed ... hopefully that wasn't too long winded for you

[@HamtaroEL]

Slower speeds you get less volume output due to the increase in amplitude for about every 6db per octave or 20db per decade which is why azimuth is more critical for slower speeds and wider tracks.

[@montynorth3009]

Try TDK AD if you want high levels without distortion. Expect 3db on MOL over the "D".

[@TechieZeddie]

I have some used 1982-1984 TDK ADs in excellent condition. I haven't tried playing with them yet. I did record on a 1988 AR and a 1992 DS-X though.

[@tarstarkusz]

I like tapes that are funky looking in some way. I used to have a bunch of those tapes with the fake reels inside of them. I always thought they were cool looking, but the ones I had didn't sound very good. I must have thrown them away though, since I no longer have them.

[@KaiDon1]

Actually, the D60 was produced in 2002.

[@TechieZeddie]

It was based on this site: vintagecassettes.com/tdk/tdk_files/tdk_year/tdk_97u.htm

[@KaiDon1]

@@TechieZeddie that D60 was assembled in Thailand not US factory . It's Lot number tell everything ... trace down to the production date.

[@banjopink4409]

Why don't you weigh them as part of your comparison?

[@TechieZeddie]

It wouldn't be fair considering one is a C90 and the other is aC60

[@banjopink4409]

@@TechieZeddie Yes, I'm aware of that. I still think you should get into the habit of precisely weighing them, and keeping a detailed list of your findings.

[@kennynvake4hve584]

Just saying Hi ZED

[@TechieZeddie]

Hai!

[@Jose-rodriguez87]

It is the same tape.

[@jankove2]

TKD? lol

[@ДмитрийЛичман-ш1е]

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