So often I see people use the lowest grade ugliest produced masking tape underneath their OT sequencer buttons.
I mean to each their own, but why not use something that has better adhesive and doesn’t look like trash.
I’ll never understand this method of tasteless looking tape on machines that are ultimately beautiful.
Totally takes a nice machine and makes it look awful.
Rant over.
And this is how those people perform.
How often?
How do you rate the grade of masking tape?
What about other adhesive tapes, gaffer, electrical and so on?
What about printed sticky lables?
Postit notes?
Where are your spreadsheets that collate this data?
Have you noticed any seasonal trends? How do interpret these trends?
Have you considered it is of absolutley no consequence, what others do with their gear?
The adhesive you use for painting is good, doesn’t leave a mark.
People should do what they want, but I think the unstated possibility is that many people don’t understand that there are different grades and kinds of tape, including masking tape.
If you are painting, then use Blue Tape at a minimum. It usually has better adhesion and release than the cheap whiteish stuff. When it comes to tapes and adhesives, 3M makes the good stuff. If you need to mask complex curves, 3M Fineline is amazing stuff. I used several rolls when I painted my boat and it made the job MUCH easier. Artist’s tape can also be good, but I have only ever had one roll that I accidentally bought instead of console tape.
Don’t leave masking tape in place for a long time. It is intended to be applied, then painted over, then removed. Leave it on to bake in the sun and you shouldn’t be surprised when it leaves nasty residue.
If you want something to write on, you want console tape. Not only should it NOT leave residue, but it is intended to take ink. Masking tape will usually take sharpie, but it’s entire purpose is to reject paint and ink, so it’s really not ideal for labeling.
Finally, if your labels are permanent, consider using a label maker. I put printed labels on my power supplies as soon as I unpack them to avoid sending 12v into a 3v device. 
What you do with your own gear is your own business, but your life will be more pleasant if you use the right tool for the job. A roll of console tape is usually less than $10 and will last for many years unless you change your setup frequently. But in that case, the ease of use of console tape is even more valuable.
I’m one of those weirdos who sometimes covers my camera logos with gaffer tape. It’s been my understanding that gaffer tape, leaves very little to no residue. It’s a much better option than masking tape and comes in white, which is great for labelling the OT.
That looks like one of those AI image mashup things. RYTM / Birthday cake.
Most tape will leave a residue if you leave it on for awhile–including console tape and gaff tape. Lately, I’ ve been doing my channel strip labeling on thin strips of stiff card stock and attaching with a couple small pieces of tape. Agree label makers are useful. I have a Brother label machine and the label stock is expensive, but it’s great stuff–easy to remove in one piece when you’re done and looks way neater than my scrawls. Just for labeling power adapters, it’s kept me from losing my mind.
I’ve bought used gear that had old masking tape on it and it’s super hard getting it off. I rarely buy used gear anymore because of how poorly people treat their stuff.
Because masking tape is cheap, everyone has it somewhere, it doesnt leave any residue, easily pulls off without removing the finish-coating. And as it is some sort of paper, it is easy to write on. People put this stuff on mixers all the time.
You need to make it a bit wet, then heat it up a bit so that it dries up. It will basically fall off your unit by then
That is the masking tape OP was referring to
I’m talking about the cheap beige classic masking tape, leaves residue and is super ugly.
There’s so many better options, just sayin.
HA!
Fun to see so many responses
I’ve been getting various tape as Xmas presents since I was a child, I’m kind of a tape hound.
So yes, I rate tape 
This one is for everyone in this thread, but @Microtribe in particular:
22 pages of (3M) tape selection guidelines 
For some reason they decided to throw in a very small selection of 3M adhesives, too. I’m glad they didn’t include 5200, I hope I never encounter that stuff on a synth. 
I LOVE 3M products. A buddy of mine used to live by a factory. He found a 12x14 foot sheet of that reflective fabric. He put it on his living room wall. When the sun hit it, it was like a massive white light
Washi tape is great for this stuff - its less adhesive than masking tape but has the same low-tack qualities and can be easily written on, with the bonus that it looks fun:
It’s more musicianly to not give a shit
…i tape most of my gear right out of the box…
to work them faster and practical…not to put them in a museum…
but only top notch tape…of course…all gear that has various channels and tricks up their sleeves need some custumized visual colourcoding and handwriting to get the job done…
