ATR Master Tape Specifications

Recording Performance: .
Magnetic Characteristics: Test Notes:
Coercivity Hc: 365 Oe, BH Nominal
Retentivity Brs 1590 Gs
Particle orientation: Longitudinal
Recording Performance References:
Recorder Ampex-Aria ATR-102
Record head gap length 1 mil
Reproduce head gap length 0.12 mil
Track width 200 mils nominal
Tape Speed 30 ips, 76.2 cm/sec
Playback equalization 17.5 µs, AES
Recording bias 1.4 dB over @ 20 kHz See Recommended Bias chart below 1
Bias osc. frequency 438 kHz
Recording Level Reference 185 nWb/m = 0 VU Ampex operating level
Frequency Pass Band 20Hz-20Khz Equivalent wave length of 1.5 inches to 0.15 mils
Maximum Output Level 1 kHz at 3% 3rd harmonic distortion 16.5 dB
Saturation Output Level
1 kHz 23.5 dB Level at which linearity exceeds 1 dB of input signal
10 kHz 16.1 dB
16 kHz 15.2 dB
Maximum linear operating level 9 dB over 185 nWb/m Linear frequency vs output level through pass band.
3rd Harmonic Distortion: 1 kHz fundamental frequency
0 dB Reference operating level 0.032 %
+6 dB over operating level 0.096 %
+10 dB over operating level 0.28 %
+12 dB over operating level 0.49 %
Signal to Noise ratio (Bias Noise) -68 dB ASA , NAB A weighted
Peak Dynamic Range 86 dB
Dynamic range ref to 1% 82 dB 1 kHz fundamental
3rd harmonic distortion
Linear dynamic range 78 Db Range in which frequency / wavelength response is linear ±0.3 dB tolerance
Print-through characteristic -60 dB 1K tone on preceeding wrap of tape stored for 24 hours on NAB reel at 72º F
Physical Specifications:
Yield Strength 12 Lbs / half in Produces 3% elongation of a 6" test sample
Breaking strength 24 Lbs / half in Force that will break a 6" test sample
Coating thickness 0.59 mils
Backcoating 0.03 mils
Polyester base film 1.42 mils
Total 2.04 mils
Standard widths:
1/4" 0.246 inches Tolerance +0.0 / -0.002"
1/2" 0.496 inches
1" 0.996 inches
2" 1.996 inches
Backcoating resistance ? 30K Ohms Per linear inch by pin probe
Oxide coating resistance >5M Ohms
Bias Current Recommendation110 kHz signal, 15 ips 10 kHz signal, 30 ips
1 mil gap length (ATR-Aria) 1.2 dB 0.5 dB
5 mil gap length (Ampex) 3.0 dB 1.4 dB
.25 mil gap length (Studer) 3.5 dB 1.5 dB

1 Note: ATR Master Tape has a wide acceptable bias current vs. distortion tolerance. The above recommendations are to be used as a guide only.

ATR Magnetics, LLC       |       385 Emig Road, Suite A     -     York, PA 17406 USA                          techinfo@atrtape.com       |       Phone: 717.718.8008       |       Fax: 717.718.8011