What machine did you buy?

I love the way GP9 sounds. I align the machine at +6. I find that with GP9, if I get the level to tape right, I get a more accurate representation of the source than other tapes. It's a high output tape, and it doesn't give quite the same effect as 456 if you hit it super hard. So if you like that effect, I would reccomend 456. You can hit GP9 hard too, but it's not my favorite tape compression sound in the world.

Allot of guys use BASF900. I've never liked that tape, but you might love it. The thing to do is experiment over time. You don't have to buy a reel of each and do a massive A/B. If you try one brand and it doesn't float your boat, you'll certainly be able to compensate for it, and it probably won't ruin the project.

The thing about GP9 is, that with some machines you have to set the tension differently or it can loop back on itself in rewind. I've had it happen twice, at 2 different studios, so I know. If it loops back onto itself, that means you get a crease, the oxide sheds on that spot, and you've lost at least a measure of music.

I have also heard complaints that GP9 can be very inconsistent from batch to batch. So far, that's not really been a problem for me, and I've used allot of it.

Despite the problems, I love the way it sounds, so I deal with it. Tape selection is a very subjective matter, and should really be determined by you. No matter how definitively you like the way another engineer's work sounds, you could conceivably hate the tape that they used to make said work.

Mixerman

I've bought a Lyrec TR532...I'm in Europe.
I've only worked with 456 until now, so I was curios to know if all teh other are better suited for something particular.
Obviosuly GP will have a great impact on clients...it looks reallay great in red! :-)
Anyway..I think I will go for 456 and than maybe a GP9 just to see the two opposite of the Quantegy line.

thanx

I agree with 'Mixerman' whole heartedly...with the caveat that I absolutely love BASF 900 on like a 1/2" 2 track, but don't much care for it on a 24trk. I also absolutely love 911 on a 24 trk, but don't particularly care for it on a 1/2" 2 track.

Either way...my current favorite is GP9 at 15ips. It doesn't quite have the compression thing of 456, but it definitely has a 'rock and roll vibe' and a 'balls' to it...with a 355nWb/m alignment I've found it to be quiet enough for my work...I also align the 10kHz to 1db>355nWb/m which helps cut down on the noise a tad (I won't use noise reduction).

Doubt that helps...but best of luck with your search.

Originally posted by Amighetti Ronnie:
I've bought a Lyrec TR532...I'm in Europe.
I've only worked with 456 until now, so I was curios to know if all teh other are better suited for something particular.
Obviosuly GP will have a great impact on clients...it looks reallay great in red! :-)
Anyway..I think I will go for 456 and than maybe a GP9 just to see the two opposite of the Quantegy line.

thanx

I'd only be concerned with whether your deck will take the thickness of GP9. It's a rather stiff tape, which is what Mix was talking about with the looping back. I'd check out all/any of the other brands before you tested GP9 for two reasons. A) you'll probably find something you like before you change the tensioning; or B) once you change the tensioning you'll probably find that GP9 does a great job. It doesn't sound like 3M 996 but it has some of the characteristics of it. I used a lot of 996 on jazz and loved it, but for rock I preferred Ampex (ok, Quantegy) 499.

Has anybody noticed the smell of GP9 lately? The last batches I've got smell like Elmers glue. Am I trippin or what?

Originally posted by Fletcher:
Either way...my current favorite is GP9 at 15ips. It doesn't quite have the compression thing of 456, but it definitely has a 'rock and roll vibe' and a 'balls' to it...with a 355nWb/m alignment I've found it to be quiet enough for my work...I also align the 10kHz to 1db>355nWb/m which helps cut down on the noise a tad (I won't use noise reduction).

I'm curious: do you align 10 kHz for 1 dB

mb

....

Too bad GP9 doesn't come in 1 in.

Originally posted by Yuri:
Too bad GP9 doesn't come in 1 in.

Did they stop making it in 1", or was it a custom run? They had it at the time of the last AES in LA; ATR services was using it on their 1" ATR-102.

mb

I love the way GP9 sounds, but I was burned by sloppy QC with it recently. Had it "loop back" on me a few times too, on a Studer 827, but there wasn't any tape damage. I've seen 499 do that too.

What's the difference between BASF 900 and 911? I've done some mixing to 911 on a Studer before and liked it, but didn't love it. GP9 on a 1/2" Ampex still sounds best to me, but I'll never track with it again.

I personally hate what 499 and GP9 do to the lower mids. Nothing worse than working really hard on getting stuff to sit right, and then have the tape re-EQ it for you. I've been using BASF 900 and 911 for a while now and have been very happy with them -- both tracking and mixing. In my opinion, when I record on 900, it sounds like what i was trying to put on the tape in the first place. The low end retains it's size, and the mids are true. The 911 is a touch more midrangy (1K -ish) than the 900, and not as extended in the low end. It is also a bit quieter. With SR, this isn't really an issue. I usually align 900 @ +6/185, and 911 @ +5/185

-John