Re: [AV Media Matters] Print-through

[rohre@ARLUT.UTEXAS.EDU]

Before I fast wind any older tape, I first hold the reel vertical by the
hub,
and wind  off a bit from the reel, looking for layer to layer stiction.  If
there is ANY, the tape is baked before mounting on a transport.  This is
also
a good time to identify if there is edge abrasion of the tape on a flange.
Precision rewinding on a known good transport at a moderate speed can help
those tapes that slipped to a flange from improper horizontal storage.

If the tape passes the self stiction test, (gravity pulling off a layer
easily, from the one underneath), then it is onto the transport for a slow
speed pull test.  Any squealing, stiction, shudder, or other abnormal tape
movement and action is again grounds for checking for deposits on the guides
and capstan parts, and if indicated, on to the baking cycle.

After baking, very old and shedding tapes from 1972 or about, have played
even
at high speed with normal results and NO deposits.

Remember, print through is mainly a voice band artifact, and probably is not
a
problem on other data that does not fall in the range around 1500 or 2000
Hz.
What I am saying is that unless you 'hear' print through on playback, I
would
not exercise an old tape just for the possible print through it might have
at
some point.

Stuart Rohre
Applied Research Labs Tape Facility, UTX