Re: [ARSCLIST] Sticky Emtec SM911 ??

["Scott D. Smith" <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Richard,

I did run across a couple or reels of SM911 in August of last year  
that exhibited some shedding problems, but no binder hydrolysis. I  
have no idea as to what the date of manufacture was, though, or what  
the storage conditions were.

Although the tape may have been manufactured in 2003, I wonder how  
long the raw stock was around?

(BTW-I have encountered some problems with MRL tapes recorded on other  
stock as well, some at our specific request. However, I need to point  
out that none of this is the fault of MRL, who have always strived for  
the absolute best of standards.)

Scott D. Smith
Chicago Audio Works, Inc.


Quoting "Richard L. Hess" <arclists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:

> Hello, Folks,
>
> Has anyone found any sticky shed (or just shed) on EMTEC SM911?
>
> I have an MRL calibration tape which MRL has graciously identified as
> being on EMTEC SM911. I am totally shocked as I thought this was one of
> the finest tapes available with little or no history of degradation.
>
> The calibration tape was manufactured 2003-03.
>
> Yes, I know I need to purchase new MRL calibration tapes, but this is
> indeed bad news for those tapes that we've recorded on SM911 in that
> time period if additional batches are subject to shedding.
>
> The shedding was not advanced, but it definitely affected high
> frequency performance by building up on the head during the calibration
> process (and introducing response anomalies due to spacing loss).
>
> I have not tried baking it, though I did once bake a much older
> (believed to be Ampex) MRL calibration tape and when it went through
> their QC process after baking, it still met specification.
>
> All reports would be graciously received.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Cheers,
>
> Richard
>
> 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.