Re: [ARSCLIST] Any Potential for a Microcassette Convertor?

[Art Shifrin <goldens2@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Lance,

The width's the same for both: 1/8".  Given the improvisations that I've
already developed for other comparable challenges (i.e. playing a wire on an
Ampex 440!) (see my website). I KNOW that I could do it.  It'd merely be a
matter of time and budget.

A microcasette's two tracks.  A typical audio cassette's 4.
In my opinion, an 'audiophile' quality repro head for standard cassettes is
more than enough to play a micro.  I espedcially advocate using the "3rd"
track to avoid the edges anyway.  But, procuring a two track 1/8" head's no
big deal, JRF could build anything th at I might specify.

Best Regards,
Art Shifrin
718 464 7076
www.shifrin.net


----- Original Message -----
From: "Watsky, Lance" <lwatsky@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 10:19 AM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Any Potential for a Microcassette Convertor?


Hello Art:

Thank you for taking the time to reply. On the weekends, I work at a video
duplication facility where I utilize a converter to play mini digital video
cassettes in a DVC player/recorder. I agree with your thoughts that a
machinist could possibly create an adaptor that'd non destructively reroute
a micro's tape out of its shell. The converter that we use in the DVC, seems
to be relatively simple.

Is the tape that is utilized in a microcassette the same as a regular
cassette? Is the only real difference the size of the shell? Or do other
factors come into play, like the alignment of the tape to the
player/recorder head or the speed that the tape plays at?

It would be interesting to research whether or not a converter could be
created.I am sure that there are many microcassettes held in different
repositories that need to be transferred to a more stable medium, and
certainly having the ability to play the tapes on higher quality cassette
decks would be wonderful.

I would appreciate hearing what others think of this idea.

Thanks,
Lance Watsky
Preservation & Media Specialist
The Georgia Archives
5800 Jonesboro Road
Morrow, GA 30260
678-364-3764 (phone)
678-364-3860 (fax)
lwatsky@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.GeorgiaArchives.org




-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
[mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Art Shifrin
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2003 10:36 AM
To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ARSCLIST] a high quality Microcassette player


Hi Gang,

This is NOT a suitable recommendation for forensic purposes, because it
entails mucking with the cassette.
But, I've extracted terrific results by transplanting such tapes into
Norelco (standard)  shells & then playing them on much better quality heads
& playback circuits.

It seems feasible that an excellent machinist could come up with an adaptor
that'd non destructively reroute a micro's tape out of its shell (and back
into) so that it could be readily played on a desireable machine, such as a
Dragon or 122MKIII

Best,
Shiffy