Re: [ARSCLIST] What to do with 2-inch tapes?

[Steven Smolian <smolians@xxxxxxxxx>]

And be absolutely sure the tape stock is not one prone to sticky shed before
plaing an inch of the tape.  Otherwise, bake first.  After the first flake
is pulled off is too late to say, "I guess I should have baked it first."

Steve Smolian


----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Richter" <mrichter@xxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2004 3:04 PM
Subject: 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/
>