Re: [ARSCLIST] Magnetic Tape Terminology

[David Lennick <dlennick@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I find I use the terms interchangeably as well, and more so when I need to refer to the two sides of
a record groove (sometimes a mono recording is worn in varying degrees on either groove wall, so I'll
indicate "right channel clean" or something similar).

dl

Christie Peterson wrote:

> Thanks, Richard.  Your response pretty much clears up the confusion I
> was having -- some people referred to tracks, the machine I was looking
> at referred to channels, but I couldn't seem to tell much of a
> difference in how they were used.  I get it now.
>
> Christie Peterson
> Project Archivist, Muskie Archives & Special Collections
> Bates College
> 70 Campus Avenue
> Lewiston, ME 04240-6018
>  (t) 207-753-6918
>  (f) 207-755-5911
>
> Richard L. Hess wrote:
> > Hi, Christie,
> >
> > While they are used interchangeably in many instances, the tracks are
> > what are actually on the tape and the channel often refers to the
> > electronics chain.
> >
> > The area where this is most confusing is in consumer formats where the
> > bulk of consumer tape machines were quarter track (or four-track)
> > STEREO, meaning they only had two channels of electronics.
> >
> > Another consumer area is the 8-track cartridge. While there were 8
> > tracks on the tapes, most players could only play two at a time, while
> > some could play four at a time.
> >
> > But other than this subtlety, I wouldn't worry about it. I think I
> > generally use "tracks" more than channels when talking about tape,
> > however, as the head lays down tracks on the actual tape.
> >
> > I think I've referred you to the pictures at
> > http://richardhess.com/notes/formats/magnetic-media/magnetic-tapes/analog-audio/025-reel-tape/
> >
> >
> > same graphic, but the other half of the info:
> > http://richardhess.com/notes/formats/magnetic-media/magnetic-tapes/analog-audio/025-cartridges/
> >
> >
> > http://richardhess.com/notes/formats/magnetic-media/magnetic-tapes/analog-audio/015-cassettes/
> >
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Richard
> >
> > At 10:28 AM 10/16/2006, Christie Peterson wrote:
> >> Question for today:  what, if anything, is the physical difference
> >> between a "channel" and a "track" when speaking about magnetic tape?
> >> Are the terms just used to describe different ways in which the same
> >> physical phenomenon (separate bands of information on the magnetic
> >> tape) can be employed, or is there not even a difference on that level?
> >>
> >> Thanks!
> >>
> >> --
> >> Christie Peterson
> >> Project Archivist, Muskie Archives & Special Collections
> >> Bates College
> >> 70 Campus Avenue
> >> Lewiston, ME 04240-6018
> >> (t) 207-753-6918
> >> (f) 207-755-5911
> >>
> >
> > Richard L. Hess                   email: richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Aurora, Ontario, Canada       (905) 713 6733     1-877-TAPE-FIX
> > Detailed contact information: http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm
> > Quality tape transfers -- even from hard-to-play tapes.