Buy "normal bias" Type I tapes for use with mini-recorders.
If you're playing tapes on a boom box, personal stereo or low-end car deck, buy Type I tapes unless the playback unit has a switch for "high bias" Type II tapes.
Choose "metal bias" Type IV tapes if playing tapes on a high-end cassette deck.
Check the Maximum Output Level (MOL) specification to compare tapes and brands within a type. Higher numbers are better.
Buy Type I tapes for recording speech.
Choose Type I tapes or lower-grade Type II tapes for dubbing from one cassette to another.
Buy Type II or Type IV tapes if recording live music on a deck.
Select higher-grade Type II or Type IV tapes for recording from LP or CD.
