Re: [ARSCLIST] Using desiccant with audio recordings

[Brandon Burke <burke@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Peter (and others),

On a related note, some moldy acetate reels arrived here
in ziploc bags recently. (1/4" tape, on 7 and 10" plastic reels.)

Typically, and only as a temporary solution, i would keep
them sealed and insert a desiccant into the bag...until such
time as i was able to give them a proper cleaning. But, given
that you're advising against the use of desiccants with acetate
tape, i'm having second thoughts.

Recommendations?

thanks,
Brandon

____________________________________
Brandon Burke
Archivist for Audio Collections
Hoover Institution Archives
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6010
vox: 650.724.9711
fax: 650.725.3445
email: burke@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



On Feb 14, 2007, at 11:03 AM, peter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Barbara:
>
> Polyester-base audio tape, all video tape and optical discs can  
> benefit from
> being stored with desiccant if the temporary storage environment is  
> likely
> to experience high humidity.  These materials include moisture only  
> as a
> "contaminant" and do very well in extremely low humidity.
>
> Acetate-base audio tape and film should NOT, as a general rule, be  
> sealed
> with a desiccant as some moisture is necessary for their "well being".
>
> To tell acetate-base audio from polyester, simply hold the tape up  
> with some
> sort of light behind it.  If you can see light through the side of  
> the pack,
> the base is acetate.  If you can't see light, the tape base is  
> polyester.
> (note: be very careful doing this with pancakes- for obvious reasons.)
>
> Peter Brothers
> SPECS BROS., LLC
> 973-777-5055
> peter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> Tape restoration and disaster recovery since 1983
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
> [mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Language Archives
> Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 4:08 PM
> To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] [LA]Re: [ARSCLIST] Using desiccant with audio
> recordings
>
> Mike Richter wrote:
> > Language Archives wrote:
> > > I have to pack up my archive for storage in the University library
> > > while construction happens around my space. I was asked about the
> > > need to put (advisability of putting) desiccant in with the
> > > recordings. I don't know for certain how long they will be in
> > > boxes--we may unpack them for access on the other end, and while  
> > > they
> > > think construction will end in August, who knows!
> >
> > I suspect that it will be important to know two things: what sort of
> > material (cylinders, 78s, lacquers, LPs, ??); what sort of storage
> > environment.
> Cylinders, lacquers, LPs, uncoated aluminum, wire, open reel (10-inch
> pancakes--I have been reading that thread with interest!--7-inch and
> 5-inch reels), cassettes, CDs, DVDs (also some video: film,  VHS and
> Beta, DV). I'm sure I missed something. These will be packed in boxes
> with like materials.
>
> As to the storage environment, I haven't seen it(!). If you have any
> suggestions about questions to ask, that would be helpful.
>
> Barbara