Is recording at 30 ips or 15ips better?

Despite the fact that it doesn't seem to make any logical sense, almost everyone I talk to prefers to record at 15 ips. The usual reasons are that 30 ips purportedly has more noise, and that 15 has more analog "coloration".

I record at 15 ips because it's cheaper, and tape isn't super easy to find, and suspect this may be a more truthful reason for these dudes as well.

I thought the rule was generally...the faster you go the more space there is to record therefore better sound? I understand why 15 would have more "coloration" or whatever, but don't understand why 30 would be noisier.

Neither do I, but it seems like a generally held view. I'm looking into it now to see if I can get anyone to justify that view, because I'm curious as well.

yeah john, i've def. read stuff that confirms what you said, but then i see something that says 30 ips is LESS noise..it's really confusing and i'd imagine there is a whole bunch of placebo effect/wishful thinking/superstition/personal preference going on.

maybe i'll email steve albini. he might answer.

we have 3 reels of tape which are 15 min. at 30 or 1/2 hour at 15...so we should have plenty either way.

speaking of which, if you're looking for used-once and professionally erased/degaussed tape i can't recommend this place enough:

http://www.tapetape.com/