Recommendations for archiving audio tapes

Quothe Philip Pemberton, from writings of Mon, Oct 20, 2003 at 04:37:05PM +0100: Or, if he wants to preserve them via the analog route, ensuring that they stand a better chance of being readable at some point in the future after various forms of digital media have become obsolete: :-) First, get a good used analog half-inch, or one-inch, two track (this means reel to reel, and yes, only two tracks) mastering tape deck (make sure that the heads are good before proceeding/purchasing), then: 2. clean the heads with 99% isopropyl alcohol using lint-free wipes 3. demagnetize the heads (know what you're doing before doing this, or you could end up permanently magnetizing the heads... an expensive mistake ...and make sure that the tape deck is turned off during the demagnetization process 4. buy an MRL alignment tape and do what needs to be done with that, an oscilloscope, signal generator, etc. 5. do the recording at 30 ips if possible... if you must do it at 15 ips or less, you might want to use DBX-I (noise reduction). but also make a second copy without DBX for archival purposes. 6. ascertain that the source tapes don't have a problem with sticking binder... if they do, you'll need to pop them into a constant 150 degree oven for a while (not a toaster oven... temp. varies too much) 7. clean and demagnetize the heads on a good 3-head cassette deck 8. keep an eye on the VU meters... remember, there's a difference in reading analog and digital VU meters etc... and... have fun! :-) -- Copyright (C) 2003 R. D. Davis The difference between humans & other animals: All Rights Reserved an unnatural belief that we're above Nature & rdd(a)rddavis.org 410-744-4900 her other creatures, using dogma to justify such http://www.rddavis.org beliefs and to justify much human cruelty.