Re: [ARSCLIST] International Archive for Recording Devices

["Peter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Aaron:

This is a great idea that has been considered by a number of other groups I
belong to.  Unfortunately, the idea never got past the discussion stage for
the following three reasons: 1) The amount of research and work involved is
tremendous.  It would likely require the concerted effort of a fairly large
organization or a substantial number of people who were retired and had lots
of "free" time on their hands;  2) Many experts disagree on which are the
"best" machines and attempts to start the project got bogged down in setting
up criteria to evaluate the equipment and 3) If the project were undertaken
by an organization, there is the potential (in the United States, at least)
for substantial legal liability.  It is surprising how many manufacturers
can get bent out of shape if you imply their equipment is not among "the
best" for a particular application, even if it was never designed for that
application.

Certainly, any expert can openly state which equipment they prefer and any
organization can openly state which equipment they use (and why).  For an
organization to start "ranking" and "officially" recommending one piece of
equipment over another, however, can get complicated.

It's a great idea and I'm sure there must be some way to pursue the project.
I've just pointed out some of the pitfalls others have encountered and hope
you find some way around them.


Peter Brothers
President
SPECS BROS., LLC
(201) 440-6589
www.specsbros.com

Celebrating 20 Years of Restoration and Disaster Recovery Service

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
> [mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Aaron Luis Levinson
> Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2003 11:30 AM
> To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] International Archive for Recording Devices
>
>
> It is my suggestion that  a database be created which lists the "best"
> machines available for archival purposes for every recording format be
> it analog electronic, acoustical or digital. Then offer a contact for
> buying and/or refurbishing and maintaing these devices. My ultimate
> dream would result in a master Archive of the machines themselves that
> would be maintained and serviced and be made available at a subsidized
> cost to the many hundreds if not thousands of people who need these
> machines on an on-going basis.
>
> In order to serve our mission as preservationists we must not lose
> sight of our task as finding not only the art that must be saved but
> the science that must be saved if the art is to be heard at all.
>
> Aaron Luis Levinson
>
>
> On Thursday, March 6, 2003, at 03:15 AM, Bewley, Nigel wrote:
>
> > Tascam 122MKIII gets my vote.
> >
> > Nigel Bewley
> > British Library National Sound Archive
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Claudia Depkin [mailto:cdepkin@xxxxxxxx]
> > Sent: 05 March 2003 19:43
> > To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: [ARSCLIST] seeking cassette deck recommendation
> >
> >
> > Can anyone recommend a cassette deck that will be gentle with old and
> > potentially valuable cassette tapes?
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Claudia Depkin
> > Project Manager, Wilson Processing Project for Performing Arts
> > Collections
> > The New York Public Library
> > (212) 714-8507
> >
> >
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