What does high out put tape means ?

[tony ky ma]

It means can store stronger signal. nWb/m to present their level, for example , Ampex 406 is 250 nWb/m (low) 456 is 355 nWb/m (medium) 499/GP9/SM900 is 500 nWb/m (high). in recording, we have to set the recording bias for different tapes, reason for the head rooms 406 can set for 185 nWb/m and 456 for 250 nWb/m also 499 for the highest 400 nWb/m. of cause higher tape can set for lower level but that is a wast because higher cost more money. Beatles' master tape recorded by Studer C37 (tube gear) but only in 185 nWb/m because tapes in that time, and today C37 still can't set in 400 nWb/m with those higher tapes because of circuit design in that time too. the advantages of stronger signal I don't have to list it out it will be a common sense , if the master in 185 nWb/m copy to 396 nWb/m dub, result will not plus maybe higher noise just same as from 7.5 ips to 15 ips speed in copy, can only closer to the original can't be better than the original. In play back, every 2 track deck should have a repro level adjust in calibration for different kind of tapes, in our tape has a 1 K test tone in 30 sec, easily adjust to 0 db in VU meter but no need to exactly 0 db even without meter only by listening just turn it down to no distorting in loudest will be OK, some pictures show the location for repro level calibration. picture 1) studer A810 picture 2) Revox PR99 picture 3) Studer A80RC & B62
master tape quality is all of beginning for the good sound, even our CD is copy by our high out put master tape recording you can compare to other CD to see the difference
detail can visit ultraanaloguerecordings.com
tony ma

 

[stellavox]

A slang way to think of it might be that the higher output tapes can "jiggle more rust particles more strongly" - resulting in the possibility of, what - 6 or 8dB more "glorious" dynamic range.

As this tape formulation didn't exist until the 90's?, some of the older decks in "stock condition" can't generate enough bias to take advantage of them.

Regarding PLAYBACK of these tapes on "any" machine and backing up Tony's comment; the only caveat I can think of could involve where the playback level (say at 0VU) is set relative to the overload capability of the playback electronics. You might encounter a situation where the peaks start to audibly distort. Turning down the playback gain level should (hopefully) correct that problem.

Charles

 

[JackD201]

I'd think the + x is handier for recordists than listeners.