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Re: [ARSCLIST] Analog Masters
At 09:53 PM 5/7/2004 -0400, you wrote:
In a message dated 5/7/2004
11:05:43 AM Eastern Standard Time, lwatsky@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
- It would seem to me, that the creation of analogue
recordings are still, at least while we can still obtain blank mag stock,
a very safe conservative approach in case anything was to happen to the
server or the files.
- I am very excited that you posted this question, and wait with
anticipation for the results.
*****************
If magnetic media are still being used, I would be very interested in
knowing exactly what brands and type numbers are selected and why they
may be considered to have the longevity of the formulations of the '60s
and not the instability of the materials used in the
'70s.
I have one client for whom I'm making 7.5 in/s full-track mono copies of
3.75 in/s 2-track (both sides) oral histories. We're doing this on 7-inch
reels figuring that these _might_ be easier to play than 10.5 inch reels
with NAB hubs "somewhere ages and ages hence."
I am recording the original tape to two CD-Rs, a cassette, and the reel.
We are breaking everything into the half-hour increments dictated by the
reels. The cassette copies are C-90s, so that they are not the limiting
factor. I could actually get better C90 tapes than C60 from my usual
sources at that time.
I'm using Maxell XLIIS (now discontinued) C90s.
I am using Emtec 911 of which I hope I have enough with the supply
situation such as it is. It is a spectacularly flat and well-slit tape.
In fact, I can't recall seeing a tape as well-slit as the Emtec
911.
However, the sale from BASF to Emtec was not smooth and the bankruptcy is
troubling. While the curtain isn't down according to my Emtec supplier,
it's getting close. The factory is closed, but it has to be closed for
2-4 weeks to avoid having to keep on all the people under German law (as
I was told). We'll see what happens in June.
The Quantegy product line has been streamlined and several products
appear to be useful for archiving, although I don't have any experience
with any of these tapes. GP9 has a distortion specification substantially
lower than any of their other tapes. The low-print 478 and 480 tapes
might be a very good choice for archiving oral histories. If you're on a
budget, then 632 appears to be more than merely adequate.
My first choice for many reasons was the Emtec 911. I guess I just didn't
buy enough <sigh>.
Cheers,
Richard