Re: [ARSCLIST] Leader tape

[Dave Nolan <davenolanaudio@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I believe there is yet another reason for leader - especially on acetate 
tapes.

My experience is that severe dehydration and cupping of the tape is usually 
confined to the outermost layers of tape, and then usually only when the 
end of the tape has not been taped down with hold-down tape.

Any tapes in our collection that were properly leadered and ends secured 
with hold-down tape exhibit zero cupping.

Just wondering...(perhaps Richard or Eric can give us their scientific 
opinion):  If there is a tendency of paper leader to attract moisture, does 
that make it a low-tech way to keep dehydration of the outer layers on a 
reel to a minimum? 

dave nolan
92nd Street Y
nyc

On Tue, 20 Nov 2007 19:53:18 -0500, Richard L. Hess 
<arclists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

<sneep>

>While paper leader is nice and useful from the old analog days, I see
>leader's purpose as twofold:
>  (1) extending the tape so the audio content is not near the end
>        This preserves the end of the content and also allows room
>         to thread a pro machine with a tape recorded on an amateur
>        machine with closer head-to-reel-spindle distances
>        It also gives time for the machine to come up to speed and
>        stabilize for low-flutter playback
>   (2) Provide a buffer between the tape pack and the reel hub.