[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: [ARSCLIST] What to do with 2-inch tapes?
At 08:25 AM 9/12/2004 -1000, David Lewiston wrote:
I suggest you find a studio with a knowledgeable engineer.
I think it was 3M who made a gadget containing iron filings beneath a clear
cover. By placing this on the tape, the number of tracks is clearly
revealed. Then, placing the tape on a machine with the appropriate head,
rewind if necessary. A tape made at a good studio should have calibration
tones first (100Hz, 1000Hz, and 10,000Hz). If noise reduction was used,
there should be a calibration tone for the system used.
I concur in the first suggestion - heartily - unless Rob has the right
hardware and either is or has available a very knowledgable engineer.
Left unsaid in David's post is that the calibration tones are essential for
playback if noise reduction was used. Miscalibrated playback of any Dolby
tape makes even 44.1 Ksps sampling of questionable value since the
calibration faults will overwhelm errors due to lack of high end. Two more
comments if I may - with my amateur standing very much in mind:
1. Listening is a sufficient method to determine *whether* noise reduction
was employed - at least it has been in my experience with various Dolby and
dbX systems.
2. It is wise to let the tape rest after rewinding to get tails in. That
will suppress print-through. I usually leave an elderly tape ready to play
for an hour; I've seen recommendations for both longer and shorter periods,
but that seems about right in my experience.
Mike
--
mrichter@xxxxxxx
http://www.mrichter.com/