3M 986 (formerly 966) tape - has anyone tried this?

[rockn&reelin]

Hi there,

I'm a first time poster here, and I'm very new to reel to reels as well - hoping you guys can help me with something...

I recently bought a few reels of 1/4" 3M 986 (aka 966) tape for my Akai X-200D player. After loading the tape onto the take-up reel, the strangest thing happened when I hit "play": the tape started winding backwards (i.e. both reels rotated clockwise, resulting in the tape all returning to the supply reel - a very short playback!).

After experiencing this, I initially thought that my machine was broken somehow. But, after setting it up with different "proven" reels of mine, it worked perfectly fine. It was just the 3M reel that was problematic. I tried a second 3M reel and the problem repeated itself.

So there is clearly something unique (or wrong?) with those tapes... Physically, they look just like my other tapes - the only differences are:
1) The 3M reel is 1200ft (my others are 1800ft)
2) The 3M tape has a flat black backing, unlike my other tapes, whose backings are a glossy oxide red-brown.
3) The box for the 3M tape describes it as "mastering tape."

Does anyone know whether this tape is incompatible with my Akai machine for some reason? Thank you very much for your help!

Regards,
Mike

 

[jayk]

i'm no expert but if this is used tape, could there be any 'reversing foil' on the front of those tapes.
if so maybe it could cause that to happen.:scratch2:

maybe rethread the tape and then pull it thru by hand while looking at the underside of the tape for any foil.
shouldn't have to pull much thru to find any if it's there.

 

[rockn&reelin]

Hi there,

Thanks for your reply, but no there doesn't appear to be any reversing foil...

cheers,
Mike

 

[Numistrek09]

Try FF and REW it a couple times. Maybe the tape is stiff and putting up resistance to unpacking. Check for shedding and the tape path gumming up while doing this.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

This is a studio mastering tape demanding +8 output levels and rather high bias. Not suitable for an old Akai deck or consumer machines save very few. Even my Pioneer RT-707 can't drive it correctly.

 

[rockn&reelin]

Hi there Kent - thanks for your reply... Out of curiosity, why is it that the tape cannot be driven by consumer machines? I'm not doubting your answer, I'm just curious to know what physical property of the tape prevents it from running normally so I don't have a similar problem in the future.

Thanks!
Mike

 

[goldear]

You can't bias such an old machine high enough for that tape. Frankly I doubt that any consumser machine will bias that high.

Regarding your winding problem: I've never seen anything like what you describe, so I have no idea.

 

[sssmokin99]

3m 996

EDIT: I misread the OP message- I was thinking of the 996 variety, although my comments may still be relevant...

I use that tape all the time with my Akai GX-747. I would say that it and possibly the X-2000 series Teacs are the only 'prosumer' machines that can bias it without modification. I also use it with a modified Teac A-3300SX, but again it has been modified for that tape.

Those reels come without any foil, and for that matter, without leaders. I cant imagine what would cause the behavior you describe, unless it is related to the thickness. It is a backcoated tape, and thus is less stiffer than similar non-backed tapes. Make sure everything in your tape path is spotlessly clean, especially the guides and similar parts, not just the heads.