Re: [AV Media Matters] Newbie to list question - tape baking, is it wrong?

[dackerm@fas.harvard.edu]

Ampex has a free baking service that I have used once or twice with very
good results.

Also, I would recommend finding a 2" 16 track for the transfer and not
using a 24 track.  Last year I had a project I started on 2" 16 and
explored the idea of mixing an a 24 track machine with the hope of working
in a better mix room with automation.  In the end I decided the sound
quality suffered too much and made the best of the 16 track room.

David Ackerman
Audio Preservation Engineer
Archive World Music
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138

Telephone: 617-495-2794
Fax: 617-496-4636
e-mail: dackerm@fas.harvard.edu

On Sat, 18 Dec 1999, Will Kreth wrote:

>Greetings-
>
>I've got a circa 1982 Ampex 2" 16-track tape that I want to transfer to
>ProTools. It has been stored in various conditions and levels of
>humidity since that time, but has not been played since then. I've been
>told that I'll need to "bake" the tape to keep the acetate from coming off
>on the heads. Is this normal (and is it the only way to do it right?)
>This person said that after baking, the tape would only be good for about
>2 to 4 plays, so I want to make sure. Aside from the difficulty in finding
>an old 2" machine with a 16-track head (I know you can play them on a
>24-track machine with some level of reliability) - I'm cautious about
>going forward. I'm located in Austin, TX.
>
>All tips/help greatly appreciated!
>
>
>
>Will
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