RTM Studio Master Recording SM 911 ¼ inch - Reel to Reel Magnetic Tape for Audio Recording - 366m Trident Plastic Reel - 7 inch 18cm Diameter

Having used Ampex and Quantegy tapes, which have stretched or deteriorated I was recommended RTM tapes. I have to say I’m impressed with the quality and audio performance of this tape. I could have paid a little more and got the Metal NAB hub reel but as I had a spare NAB hub reel this one met the needs perfectly. Delivered without delay. Happy with the purchase. Keeping analogue audio alive!

It arrived quickly and came in a really nice, sleek box. Packaged well overall with no damage. As for the tape itself, the sound quality is truly unmatched, even at high frequencies. No hiss, and operates smoothly. Will definitely repurchase!!

This is about the 1/4 inch 762m metal reel version. The whole product exudes quality. It comes in a sturdy box and the reel really looks and feels the part, although whether the metal reel is actually worth the significant extra (at the time of writing) over the plastic version is my only real question here.The sound is simply superb, and this at 7.5 ips - if you have 15 ips, then I guess you could expect more, but it's already way above adequate for me. If, like me, you've been getting along with vintage tapes from various sources, then I'd say it's definitely worth trying one of these out. The 762m lasts over an hour at 7.5 ips though bear in mind you need a machine that accepts 10.5 inch reels for this length.

As this seems to be the only European manufacturer of reel to reel tape you don't have a lot of choice. I bought this for my Akai 4000DB and it was not good. Problem with my machine rather than the tape i might add.I aquired my Akai from a neighbour who was throwing it out as it needed repairs so I took it in to a (fairly) nearby vintage repair guy who did a thorough job and it seemed to be working fine in his shop. At home recordings were just slurring and dropping. after going back and forth several times to the shop the conclusion was reached that my old machine could not handle this grade of tape. Its fairly thick at 50 Microns and was warping as it was passing over the tape heads. Buying thinner (used) tape solved the problem. RTM do make a 35micron tape and as I have tried a Maxell 35micron tape with no problem I may invest with them once more. So do consider if your old machine can toleratethe heavier tape before buying this.