Tape Loops for Tape Echoes

Robert L's Analog Synths

The Tape Loops for Tape Echoes
Improve the quality of your analog sound!
Current supplies of the TL4m50 loops are made from the high quality BASF LGR 50 broadcast audio tape, designed for prolonged use with minimum harm to magnetic heads*.

The oldest and the most effective manufacturer
of the post-production tape loops.
Retaining the same price since the beginning in 2001.

Money asked by some retailers for a single original Roland RT-1L tape loop** --- now for the whole package of 5 new tape loops!
See the technical notes below with more detailed comparison of the TL4m50 and RT-1L loops.
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* This is not the old style mastering tape, but the new, highly smooth broadcast tape, with an excellent "lubrication layer" (details).
**Read why you would regret buying the original RT-1L tape loops even if lucky enough to find them: The Best Tapes For Loops.

   Payment details
   Tape Loop Replacement Instructions
   The Best Tapes For Loops
U.S. & Canada Dealers Wanted!

Get 5 for 35, get 10 for 59! (EUR)
Ensure the best sound from your loving echo machines by finally replacing those old tape loops!
   Over 250 loops sold worldwide! Read the tape loop reviews by our satisfied customers.
Available for the standard Roland RE (Korg SE) series, and for the short-loop machines like Dynacord, and Echolette.
   Other lengths on special request.

Full money back gurantee!
If not satisfied, return your unused and undamaged loops within a month from the date of delivery.
Refunds will include the full price paid for every unused and undamaged loop, but without the money transfer and shipping costs.
IMPORTANT: see the disclaimer below.

Roland RE-201 Space Echo with the 4m long tape loop (the
picture is gratefully taken from Vintage Synth Explorer).

Price details and shipping:

TL4m, 4m long (Roland RE, Korg SE series):
    Package with 5 new TL4m50 tape-loops EUR 35.00
    (US$ 47.00 for the U.S. & world-wide customers)
    Package with 10 new TL4m50 tape-loops EUR 59.00
    (US$ 79.00 for the U.S. & world-wide customers)

TL0.51m50, 51cm long (Dynacord, short-loop types):
Package with 7 new TL0.51m50 tape-loops EUR 39.00
    (US$ 53.00 for the U.S. and world-wide customers)

Shipping: within Europe EUR 10.00,
    to U.S. and Canada:     US$ 14.00,
    Australia, New Zealand: EUR 15.00 (US$ 20.00)
    to the rest of the world: ask for specific zone.
Payment details

Customer Quotes:	*"I received the package of the tape loops today. They work great... I am using it with an acoustic/electric guitar. Just the sound I was hoping for. Thanks again."* Scott Bolger, Canada. Ordered standard package of TL4m, Ampex 457 (email address available on request).
	*"Hi Robert, your tape loops are fantastic. I mounted them today and was playing for about one hour. The sound is super, thanks for everything. Bye, Attilio."* Attilio Giacomini, Italy. First order: double package TL4m, BASF LGR-50 broadcast, second order: double package with few loops of Ampex 457 included). (email address available on request).
	"I received the tape loops yesterday, and they sound fantastic. The echo volume is as high as the input, and with just a little signal and the intensity all the way up, you can let UFO's twirl around... I am very pleased indeed : )" Kenny Martens, Belgium, a standard package of TL4m, LGR-50 broadcast. (email address available on request).

Tape loops are used as a memorizing medium in all analog tape echo machines. Due to the constant circling of the same, relatively short piece of tape (0.5 to 4 meters long), the material tends to wear down intensively. With the medium tape speed, giving the medium recording/reprodu-ction quality, it is advisable to replace the tape loops after at most 300 hours of work. Cleaning of heads, guide rollers and all the parts along the tape path should be done two to three times during that period, i.e. after every 100 to 150 hours of use.
The replacement should be done after a thorough cleaning of all heads, together with all other mechanical parts along the tape transport path (see the Tape Loop Replacement Instructions). If you insist on the highest quality, like in studio use and on concerts, this periods should be shortened to approximately a half.
Old tapes get scratched and their protection layer becomes damaged. The Ferro-oxide particles drop off, leaving the dirt on the precious heads and transport mechanism. This enhances the head wearing, and in turn, tear the tape even more. So, it is of utmost importance to clean the unit and replace the magnetic tape on a regular basis.

The tape loops available from Robert L's Analog Synths are hand-crafted from the high quality, modern tapes, like Ampex 457, 478, BASF LGR broadcast, and similar. They all have the low friction top layer, due to the so called "lubricant" component added. It assures the least possible wearing of heads, while still adhering well to their surface. These tapes are tested and confirmed to exceed the quality of the material used in the original Roland RT-1L tape loops from the 70s and early 80s (see also the discussion The Best Tapes for Loops, and the Technical notes below).
   The conjunction of the tape ends is made by professional tools, using thin and high quality adhesive tapes. Every link is checked against big gaps to avoid discontinuity of magnetic media and ensure minimal signal dropout.
   Hand manufacturing and ineffectiveness of a low volume production dictates the price of this product. But as a comparison, the original Roland RT-1L tape loops reached enormous prices regardless of the fact that they are mostly unusable by now (see: The Best Tapes for Loops)
   A simple calculation shows that if you play your echo-machine for 2 hours every day, and do the tape replacement after every 300 hours of work, 10 loops will serve you for almost 4 years providing the top quality of analog echoing.

       Improve the quality of your analog sound!0

TECHNICAL NOTES: The TL4m50 loops are made of 50µm thick BASF LGR-50 broadcast professional tape. It is about 50% thicker and 50% heavier than the original, lower quality 35µm Scotch tape that the original RT-1L loops were made of. The TL4m50 weighs 2.10g comparing to the 1.40g of the RT-1L. The higher friction force of the edge of the loop against the bottom of the tape compartment may require higher pulling force. However, the weight-related friction is only a fraction of the total resistance produced also by sliding of the tape against the leaf spring stabilizer, felts, guides and heads, which is independent of the loop weight. The higher force needed to pull the tape is completely within the range achievable by the standard servicing procedure found in servicing manuals. This may require the transport mechanism adjustment to ensure proper functioning of the unit (needed on about 10% of the machines of our users).

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Most of the tape echo machines are now more than 25 years old! Many of them need detailed servicing. The new tape loops solely cannot resolve all the problems you may have. They will provide excellent, new magnetic tape media, improve audio response, and reduce soiling of the heads and other parts. Also, as suggested in the technical notes above, by using the professional, thicker tape, you may need to do the transport mechanism adjustment.