What is the Metal Punk Tape Exchange?

The Metal Punk Tape Exchange or MPTX is an international mixtape-trading community created in 2019 by Luc & Max, two survivors of the late 20th Century Metal/Punk cassette wars. 20 rounds of exchanges have already taken place, mostly through Instagram, and we will soon reach our milestone 1000th tape recorded for the exchange..

How do I sign up for this thing?

Easy. As soon as we announce a new round, you can comment any of our posts on Instagram to let us know you want to participate. That's it, you're in. Once you've registered, you must answer our online form so we can learn about your musical tastes and set you up with the right person.
One last thing: please make sure before you sign in that your tape deck is working and set up properly to record sound from any audio source on a cassette tape.

So when's the next round? I want in already!

Round 21 will happen in early March.

I live in America, can I sign in?

Yes! We've merged with @megametalmixtapeexchange which used to be the North American trade. You can choose to ship internationally or not when you sign in.

Wait, you said "internationally"... does that mean I can participate if I live in (insert country of your choice)?

Yes! You're damn right! Anyone from anywhere in the world is welcome!

What happens next?

So you've just registered... Great! Now you must make a mixtape! Any way you want! Start working on it as soon as you sign in. Don’t worry about bands or genres (of course, as long as you stick to Metal or Punk and their million offshoots you can always stick in a few oddities; it’s a freeflowing exercise, everything’s possible -- but please, don’t make a 90-minute best of Fleetwood Mac tape).

IS THERE A SPECIAL THEME FOR EACH ROUND?

Each round has an optional theme to help you get started, if you feel like it. So far we've had "Blood", "UFOs/aliens", "Life" and "Places" for Round 20. Some people think it's helpful, others just do their own thing. It's entirely up to you!

My mixtape is done, what should I do now?

Take a few good pictures of it (track list must be legible), as a kind of “proof of existence” and send them to us via DM.

How will I know who I’m sending it to then?

Once you’ve 1) answered the online form, 2) finished your tape, 3) sent us pictures of it, you must wait until we announce the end of the round. Then we will write back to you with someone’s name and address. You will have to send your tape to this person right away.

Will I receive a tape from the same person?

No, you will receive a surprise mixtape from someone else. That’s the beauty of it: the Metal Punk Tape Exchange works as a chain, like the chain mails of yore if you’re old enough to remember those. One person sends to another who sends to another one until the last person of the chain completes the circle by sending to the first person on the list.

How do I know when the round of mixtape exchange actually begins?

Each round will now last more or less 30 days. As soon as we open registrations, you can start working on your tape right away.

OK, one month time is more than enough-- think I’ll sit on it for a while before I turn the tape recorder on…

Please, don’t wait until the last minute to finish your tape. It happens all the time: a trickle of mixtapes at the beginning and a massive rush once we hit deadline. We try to repost your pictures as soon as we get them but more often than not, we’re swamped in a deluge of last minute additions.

Are all musical genres/styles allowed?

Well, technically, yes. But as we said, let's keep it Metal and/or Punk. There are enough subgenres already to make everyone happy. Oh, also, no nazi crap please. Black Metal and Oi! is all fine and dandy but let's avoid NSBM or any kind or racist nonsense. We’ve already pissed a few people off with that specific rule but we’re very keen on steering clear of the grey zone. To put it simply: any bands openly advocating hate towards any ethnic group should not appear on your tape. The world’s already a miserable place as it is, no need for further aggravation.

I hate Metal-Punk-Reggae-(insert genre here), how do I know I won’t get a tape full of music I don’t like?

That’s where the small questionnaire (and pictures of your own tape) will come in handy. We - the organizers - get to know you better and we most always hook everyone up with persons who share similar musical interests.

I’m broke and can’t send to another country but would like to participate nonetheless...

This should not be a problem. Just let us know in advance when you sign in and we’ll set you up with someone from your country to save up on S&H.

I see all those people sending shitloads of gifts and guitar pedals and the keys to their houses along with their tapes, do I have to do that as well?

No. This is primarily a mixtape exchange ring: send one tape, get one tape. Of course, gifts are always nice and we strongly encourage being creative in your packaging but feel free to do your own thing, as long as actual cassettes are involved somehow. The rest is entirely up to you.

I only have a 60-minute tape. Is that ok?

Yes, all types of tapes are good. Most lengths will be OK too, just maybe save that 20-minute tape for another occasion. Make sure your cassette still plays if you’re using dead stock.

How do I go about making my tape?

Well this is a highly personal question. Some people will stuff their tapes with plenty of rare tracks and obscure bands. Others will only put time-honed songs by well established bands. Some will follow our theme or try to think of a gimmick for their compilation, others will record random tracks and fill their tapes with the stuff they’re listening to at the moment. There are no rules in this department. Follow your instincts to make a good mix!

But I’m no expert! My tape is going to suck!

No! Not at all! We have so many profiles doing this every month, die-hards with decades of punk knowledge to absolute beginners/newcomers to the scene… everyone is welcome as long as they put their heart into it. And if you’re still not sure: one side Discharge, one side Slayer and everyone will be happy, hahah.

Do I have to proprint my j-card? I suck at photoshop!

Many people print their tapes but it’s not a mandatory thing. Some of us don’t have access to a printer or just want to keep it truly old school. Why not draw your own then? We love seeing hand drawn art as much as fancy graphics… once again, you do your own thing. Everything’s accepted as long as you put your heart into it.

OK, I made my tape but it’s way past deadline now. What should I do if I’m late?

Just let us know before so we can warn the person you’re sending to. Do not contact her/him directly, let us do that and keep your identity a surprise until the very last minute. You may be sending to a complete stranger or someone you know well, but try not to spoil it no matter what! It’s 80% part of the fun!

I haven’t received anything! What’s next?

Just wait on it a little more. We usually know when people are late so chances are you’ve been warned… but on the other hand, post offices sometimes work in mysterious ways… Covid, Brexit, new customs rules and the world slowly going to hell have made the whole thing quite unpredictable. Rip offs are few and far between and they’re immediately added to our black list. But if nothing comes in a few weeks after deadline, write us and we’ll figure something out.

When will next round begin?

As much as we would like to do one round per month, we have to wait until everyone receives their tapes from the round before. Usually there is a 4 week gap in between rounds, depending on turnover and the time it takes to repost all tapes on the account. Expect two months in total in between rounds.