Uploaded November 2013 | Updated September 2026, 46 minutes ago
NOTE: There are annotations in the video, if you are on a mobile device and can not see them, please watch with a different application/browser or on a desktop computer. READ MORE BELOW
Supplies needed:
•Lazy Susan or a Turntable
•Suitable 8-Track Cartridge (or reel of cartridge tape)
•Double Sided Tape
•Reel To Reel Splicing Tape
•Splice Block
•Nice Sharp Razor Blade
•Scissors
•Echoplex Cartridge...of course
In this video I'm reloading a newer aftermarket metal cartridge for an EP-3 but you can reload a stock Echoplex cartridge the same way. I have the reels stuck to a lazy Susan with double sided tape, spaced apart the same as the posts in the cartridge. The tape I'm using is out of a lightly used RCA 8-track cartridge from 1974 (sorry Henry Mancini fans but I have enough Mancini cartridges already). I usually suggest using tape out of new or like new blank 8-tracks instead out of prerecorded 8-tracks but I liked the look and condition of the tape and these old RCA carts have good tape that can reproduce well. If you don't have any nice blank 8-tracks to use and you can only find prerecorded 8-tracks, try to use one that contains music that is usually not in demand. With any used 8-track, inspect the exposed tape at the end, if it looks worn, dirty or damaged, put it back. Some tapes have a glossy oxide finish and some have a matte oxide finish, both are acceptable. Many people also choose to go out and find a reel of lubricated cartridge tape to reload their Echoplex carts with. Cartridge tape is lubricated on the backside of the tape with graphite, you can not, I repeat CAN NOT use regular reel to reel tape (make note that "silicone lubricated" is not the same as the graphite backcoating on cartridge tape). Ampex 406, 456, 457 and 478 (which many seem to choose to reload their carts with) are all fine sounding tapes however these tapes are NOT made for continuous loop cartridges and will eventually tighten up and possibly jam if used. They can also suffer from SSS (Sticky Shed Syndrome) which is the deterioration of the binders in the tape (binder hydrolysis). A tape suffering from SSS will usually squeal and bind up on the heads. If you have the option to choose (such as on eBay) which brand of blank 8-track to use, I suggest Maxell UD and LN, 3M Scotch Dynarange and Classic, Memorex and BASF. Be careful of later Radio Shack Realistic blanks. I would stay away from 8-tracks that are longer than 90 minutes as the tape may be thinner which could wear out faster (they are also rare and collectable). It doesn't hurt to bulk erase used (prerecorded) tape, however if you don't have an eraser, it isn't necessary. If the Echoplex is functioning properly and the heads are aligned, the tape will be erased as the unit is used and the previous recording shouldn't be heard.
If you are insisting on using professional quality tape, check out these guys. cartguys.com/ctr_prices.htm#anchor999640 They even have a tape which they are calling "ECHOPLEX-850X". Now, I don't have experience with those exact tapes listed on that site but being sold for use in broadcast carts (a continuous loop cartridge that works like an 8-track) I would assume it would be perfectly fine to use in an Echoplex cartridge. Not the cheapest tape but at least you know a professional quality option is available.
When you are winding the tape onto the reels, you want the oxide side to face outwards. Once you have enough tape wound onto the reels (can be your personal preference, Echoplex carts were usually wound to be about 2 minutes long), carefully lift the reels off the lazy Susan or Turntable and place them into the cartridge. Try not to touch the oxide side of the tape too much, you should make sure your hands are clean and dry before handling the tape. When you go to splice the ends together, use tape made for splicing magnetic reel to reel tape and not regular sticky tape such as Scotch Magic tape as the adhesive can bleed over time. You will want to cut the ends of the tape so they will come together perfectly and then apply the splicing tape to the backside of the tape. Ideally you don't want the splice to be audible but since there are no pressure pads forcing the tape to the heads and the tape tensioning is not perfect, you may hear a dropout as it passes by (screwing up your sustained echo sound). After you have the tape spliced, you can place it in the Echoplex, thread it and turn it on. If you have a little slack in the tape, it should be taken up shortly after you turn it on. Keep your hand on the off switch for one cycle (until your splice comes back around) just in case the tape should start to be eaten or jam up in the cartridge.
If you have any questions that you would like to ask before attempting to reload your cartridge, please ask. I'm not an all out expert on tapes or Echoplexes but I have worked on a wide variety of tape machines and used many different types of tape and may be able to help out.
NOTE: There are annotations in the video, if you are on a mobile device and can not see them, please watch with a different application/browser or on a desktop computer. READ MORE BELOW
Supplies needed:
•Lazy Susan or a Turntable
•Suitable 8-Track Cartridge (or reel of cartridge tape)
•Double Sided Tape
•Reel To Reel Splicing Tape
•Splice Block
•Nice Sharp Razor Blade
•Scissors
•Echoplex Cartridge...of course
In this video I'm reloading a newer aftermarket metal cartridge for an EP-3 but you can reload a stock Echoplex cartridge the same way. I have the reels stuck to a lazy Susan with double sided tape, spaced apart the same as the posts in the cartridge. The tape I'm using is out of a lightly used RCA 8-track cartridge from 1974 (sorry Henry Mancini fans but I have enough Mancini cartridges already). I usually suggest using tape out of new or like new blank 8-tracks instead out of prerecorded 8-tracks but I liked the look and condition of the tape and these old RCA carts have good tape that can reproduce well. If you don't have any nice blank 8-tracks to use and you can only find prerecorded 8-tracks, try to use one that contains music that is usually not in demand. With any used 8-track, inspect the exposed tape at the end, if it looks worn, dirty or damaged, put it back. Some tapes have a glossy oxide finish and some have a matte oxide finish, both are acceptable. Many people also choose to go out and find a reel of lubricated cartridge tape to reload their Echoplex carts with. Cartridge tape is lubricated on the backside of the tape with graphite, you can not, I repeat CAN NOT use regular reel to reel tape (make note that "silicone lubricated" is not the same as the graphite backcoating on cartridge tape). Ampex 406, 456, 457 and 478 (which many seem to choose to reload their carts with) are all fine sounding tapes however these tapes are NOT made for continuous loop cartridges and will eventually tighten up and possibly jam if used. They can also suffer from SSS (Sticky Shed Syndrome) which is the deterioration of the binders in the tape (binder hydrolysis). A tape suffering from SSS will usually squeal and bind up on the heads. If you have the option to choose (such as on eBay) which brand of blank 8-track to use, I suggest Maxell UD and LN, 3M Scotch Dynarange and Classic, Memorex and BASF. Be careful of later Radio Shack Realistic blanks. I would stay away from 8-tracks that are longer than 90 minutes as the tape may be thinner which could wear out faster (they are also rare and collectable). It doesn't hurt to bulk erase used (prerecorded) tape, however if you don't have an eraser, it isn't necessary. If the Echoplex is functioning properly and the heads are aligned, the tape will be erased as the unit is used and the previous recording shouldn't be heard.
If you are insisting on using professional quality tape, check out these guys. cartguys.com/ctr_prices.htm#anchor999640 They even have a tape which they are calling "ECHOPLEX-850X". Now, I don't have experience with those exact tapes listed on that site but being sold for use in broadcast carts (a continuous loop cartridge that works like an 8-track) I would assume it would be perfectly fine to use in an Echoplex cartridge. Not the cheapest tape but at least you know a professional quality option is available.
When you are winding the tape onto the reels, you want the oxide side to face outwards. Once you have enough tape wound onto the reels (can be your personal preference, Echoplex carts were usually wound to be about 2 minutes long), carefully lift the reels off the lazy Susan or Turntable and place them into the cartridge. Try not to touch the oxide side of the tape too much, you should make sure your hands are clean and dry before handling the tape. When you go to splice the ends together, use tape made for splicing magnetic reel to reel tape and not regular sticky tape such as Scotch Magic tape as the adhesive can bleed over time. You will want to cut the ends of the tape so they will come together perfectly and then apply the splicing tape to the backside of the tape. Ideally you don't want the splice to be audible but since there are no pressure pads forcing the tape to the heads and the tape tensioning is not perfect, you may hear a dropout as it passes by (screwing up your sustained echo sound). After you have the tape spliced, you can place it in the Echoplex, thread it and turn it on. If you have a little slack in the tape, it should be taken up shortly after you turn it on. Keep your hand on the off switch for one cycle (until your splice comes back around) just in case the tape should start to be eaten or jam up in the cartridge.
If you have any questions that you would like to ask before attempting to reload your cartridge, please ask. I'm not an all out expert on tapes or Echoplexes but I have worked on a wide variety of tape machines and used many different types of tape and may be able to help out.
