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Post by Stephen Byers on Nov 3, 2015 9:49:48 GMT
I am about to start digitising a load of 50-year old reel-reel tapes. They seem clean, but is there any way of spotting those likely to suffer from sticky shed? My first inclination is to do a full rewind to even out the layers. But I don't want to create clouds of dust as they fall apart!! And what cleaner would folks recommend for the pinch roller(s), belts, and head. Its an Akai deck BTW.
I'm hoping to 'play' them but twice - once forwards and then the reverse.
They're mainly 5in spools in four track - but I can reverse a track's recording using Audacty if the digitisation turns out to be backwards!!
The other problem is that they might be suffering from 'print through.' Not sure what to do about that.
And has anyone had success with baking tapes? Are there any instructions on the web about this?
Some of the tapes have Brit. comedy recordings on them - huh - maybe - just maybe including a lost ep. or more??
Thanks in advance - SB
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Post by richardwoods on Nov 3, 2015 17:43:40 GMT
Re:- cleaning, you can't beat isopropyl alcohol, or failing that surgical spirit does a good job. Haven't tried baking yet, may need to soon as like you I am working my way through my reel collection.
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Post by Stephen Byers on Nov 3, 2015 18:53:15 GMT
I'm not sure about using and something alcohol based on the rubber pinch rollers or belts though. SB
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Post by Stephen Byers on Nov 3, 2015 18:54:56 GMT
Oh and is it possible to purchase a head demagnetiser now-a-days?
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Post by richardwoods on Nov 3, 2015 20:00:50 GMT
I'm not sure about using and something alcohol based on the rubber pinch rollers or belts though. SB To be honest it can be the only practical way to get oxide and other contact grime off pinch rollers, In my experience it has never caused a problem, I wouldn't see any need to use alcohol on belts, a damp cloth would suffice |
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Post by Greg H on Nov 4, 2015 19:23:56 GMT
I would probably give kaleidoscope a shout as they seem to be pretty expert in these matters. They could probably offer some quality tips or do the job for you. I offer this advise just in case there is something important and missing on there that goes south during transfer. You never know with a pile of old tapes.
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Post by richardwoods on Nov 4, 2015 19:40:03 GMT
Oh and is it possible to purchase a head demagnetiser now-a-days? Keep an eye on eBay, they are bound to come up, everything else does, LOL. |
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Post by Ken Griffin on Nov 4, 2015 20:57:27 GMT
I am about to start digitising a load of 50-year old reel-reel tapes. They seem clean, but is there any way of spotting those likely to suffer from sticky shed? My first inclination is to do a full rewind to even out the layers. But I don't want to create clouds of dust as they fall apart!! And what cleaner would folks recommend for the pinch roller(s), belts, and head. Its an Akai deck BTW. It's not really a tape defect but do you have something to deal with tape splices? The splices (if any) on such old tapes would be very fragile and you should be prepared to do some repairs. Also what sample rate are you digitising the material in and what file format will you be using? |
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Post by richardwoods on Nov 5, 2015 7:23:19 GMT
Just repaired one last night. To be honest, and this will no doubt upset the purists, 1/2 inch sellotape is as good as anything, 45 degree cut & tape the back, trim tight to the tape edges, job done. Tends to last just as well as splicing tape, some of mine from the 70's are still fine.
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Post by Stephen Byers on Nov 5, 2015 10:04:24 GMT
I am about to start digitising a load of 50-year old reel-reel tapes. They seem clean, but is there any way of spotting those likely to suffer from sticky shed? My first inclination is to do a full rewind to even out the layers. But I don't want to create clouds of dust as they fall apart!! And what cleaner would folks recommend for the pinch roller(s), belts, and head. Its an Akai deck BTW. It's not really a tape defect but do you have something to deal with tape splices? The splices (if any) on such old tapes would be very fragile and you should be prepared to do some repairs. Also what sample rate are you digitising the material in and what file format will you be using? I have a Griffin iMic which is OK. But I also have a Behringer U-Control feeding into my laptop, a Toshiba Qosmio G32. The signal will be capped by Audacity then saved in FLAC format. www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-GC16035-iMic-Audio-Interface/dp/B003Y5D776www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-UCA202-U-Control-low-latency-Interface/dp/B000KW2YEIThe spec. for the latter is stated as "High-resolution 48 khz converters for high-end audio quality" I concur with using bog standard Sellotape (Durex in the USA!!) or even Gaffer-tape. If the tapes are to be played but once then it doesn't matter what is use. However a splicing block from eBay is useful for holding the tape ends in alignment. The challenge is repairing cassette tapes - especially if they have gotten all creased up. Luckily such editing apps. as Audacity have loads of Nyquist add-ones for correcting a digital recording. SB |
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