Tape types

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Waterland

Member
Browsing through the tape forums I've come across some terminology I'm not familiar with. I never really got into the tape scene, vinyl and CD's being more of what I listen to, but I just dug out my cassette deck to listen and digitize some old cassettes. Anyway, I've seen a few references to different tape types such as "type II" and "type IV." I've also noticed that a lot of my tapes say "type I" on them. What does this type refer to? What is the difference between type I and type II for example? Is one type better than another?

Also, what does "bias" mean when referring to tapes? I've seen normal bias, and high bias and I'm not sure what that means.
 
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Waterland said:
Browsing through the tape forums I've come across some terminology I'm not familiar with. I never really got into the tape scene, vinyl and CD's being more of what I listen to, but I just dug out my cassette deck to listen and digitize some old cassettes. Anyway, I've seen a few references to different tape types such as "type II" and "type IV." I've also noticed that a lot of my tapes say "type I" on them. What does this type refer to? What is the difference between type I and type II for example? Is one type better than another?

Also, what does "bias" mean when referring to tapes? I've seen normal bias, and high bias and I'm not sure what that means.
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Basically there are 4 types of tapes
Type I (low bias) the first tapes Ferrooxide
originates directly from reel2reel tape types

Type II (high bias) Chrome Dioxyde
tapes with better response in the high frequencies (the high notes)

Type III FerriChrome - a dual layer tape
a combination of the best from the previous types - did not really make the market

Type IV Metal tapes
Latest on market - required decks to be compatible

on WikiPedia there is a pretty good explanation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Cassette
 
The way I see it Type I waste of time, if your gonna waste time recording it you want type II or IV. Type one just rips you off on sig to noise and high frequency. Type II have better high frequency response, and take to dolby C better.

Then there is Metal type IV. Some time ago a chap noticed all these tapes formulations have oxide formulations. Oxygen molecules where metal particles could be. So he came up with a pure metal formulation. Maximum frequency response and signal to noise.

Needless to say now-a-days trying to record everything to a metal tape would make buying a reel to reel deck look cheap. Maxell XLII are your best bet. I can still bag these at London Drugs in my area.

Bias refers to the amount of current needed to excite the particles to get them to accept a signal and hold it.
 
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2fives said:
The way I see it Type I waste of time, if your gonna waste time recording it you want type II or IV. Type one just rips you off on sig to noise and high frequency. ....
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I don't think I could disagree more. There are some (or were) some superb Type-I tapes out there that at times were the equal of the Type-II's. Each tape type has it's strong points and it's weak points, and the key is to use a good tape on a decent deck to record the proper material. Maxell UDXLI or XLI-S or TDK AD or AD-X were superb tapes.
 
As I understand it, bias (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tape_bias) is a (usually ac) signal that is recorded along with the actual audio to improve the frequency response of the tape. Some tape types can take a higher amplitude of bias which improves noise and frequency response, apparently.
 
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