Re: [ARSCLIST] CLIR document/ Leader

[David Lennick <dlennick@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Has anyone run into problems with different types of leader (i.e. Radio 
Shack, or the stuff the BBC was adding to Zonal in the 80s) being very 
sticky? I've had no trouble with the conventional stuff from 3M, Audio 
Devices or AGFA, and besides, it serves a purpose (timing pauses before and 
between tracks).

The paper stuff is useful when something is needed between the end of the 
tape and the hub of the reel..I find it's much less prone to taking the 
shape of the hub's openings. But I also find that over the years, splices 
won't stay attached to it.

dl

Richard Warren wrote:

 Hi,

 As I recall, general wisdom in ARSC suggests that
 for archives the use of NO leader tape at all has
 always been recommended for tapes to be stored,
 since attaching leader(s) involves the use of
 splicing tape, another material to be avoided as
 much as possible. Obviously one must deal with
 splices that come in on tapes; but except for
 attaching leader or blank tape temporarily to
 allow capture of beginnings and endings on
 recordings lacking sufficient unrecorded "slack", why ask for trouble ?

 Richard

 At 03:56 PM 3/31/2006, you wrote:

 >I wonder about the value of the recommendation to â??replace plastic 
leaders
 >with paper leadersâ?� (Capturing Analog Sound for Digital 
Preservation;
 >1.1.2.3.3 Leader).
 >
 >I think that the concern about â??electrostatic chargesâ?� may be 
overstated
 >(and probably has its origins from another era, perhaps when PVC was used 
a
 >leader tape base).  Using modern anti-static polyester leader as a
 >â??replacement leaderâ?� (not to mention the high coercivity of 
magnetic tape
 >in general), makes the electrostatic charges from leader tape issue, I
 >feel, almost negligible.  Video shares many of the same preservation 
issues
 >as audio and Iâ??m not aware of this â??paper or
 >plasticâ?� question ever coming
 >up in that field; video preservation specialists use polyester leader and
 >have done so successfully for decades.  Is there a distinction between
 >magnetic audio media and magnetic video media (or even data storage tape,
 >another magnetic medium that uses polyester leader) that Iâ??m 
overlooking
 >that would require paper tape to be used in audio?
 >
 >Certainly too other arguments could be made for not using paper leader: 
it
 >is less durable than polyester, it will absorb moisture, and 
-particularly
 >with non-buffered paper, it becomes brittle and therefore may fail to
 >maintain the tension on the tape pack (when tacked down at the head or
 >tail) needed for long term storage.
 >
 >Feel free to set me straight.
 >
 >Best,
 >
 >Danny
 >
 >
 >Daniel Sbardella
 >The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
 >40 Lincoln Center Plaza
 >New York, NY  10023
 >
 >212.870.1609