Hi Richard:

I received a quote from a company to repair the Roberts but I have been
thinking about your advice too.  I actually have about 6 tapes that are the
most important.  some have 2 events on them each recorded at a different
speed.  I have been thining that even if I get the machine working, I
really want the 6 tapes digitized so I can get copies to collections and to
friends.  How would you advise me to proceed for digitizing the important
tapes?

Mary Jean

On Tue, Jul 19, 2016 at 5:53 PM, Richard L. Hess <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> Mary Jean,
>
> You are welcome! One thing you can do is prioritize based on the notes on
> the boxes/reels. Hopefully, there is some "metadata" on the tapes so you
> can start guessing (at least) what is on them.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Richard
>
>
>
>
>
> On 7/19/2016 5:49 PM, Mary Jean Collins wrote:
>
>> Hey Richard.  Thank you for that insight.  I have been trying to play them
>> on the old recorder and I'll stop now.  You are exactly right that I am
>> trying to figure out what I want to keep by listening to them but that
>> might not be the best way to proceed.  Especially the ones that are the
>> most precious, I should probably go right to digitize.
>>
>> Mary Jean
>>
>> On Tue, Jul 19, 2016 at 5:42 PM, Richard L. Hess <
>> [log in to unmask]>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi, Mary Jean,
>>>
>>> Welcome to ARSCLIST.
>>>
>>> Servicing a consumer portable recorder that is 50 years old is a
>>> challenge.
>>>
>>> Some things to consider about tape recorders from that era:
>>>
>>> (1) All of the components are againg and some/many are difficult to
>>> obtain.
>>>
>>> (2) Recorders of that era almost invariably recorded better than they
>>> played back.
>>>
>>> (3) There are some failure modes that can end up irreparably damaging the
>>> magnetic record on your tapes.
>>>
>>> (4) There are some failure modes that can physically damage the tape.
>>>
>>> If you value these tapes and you think their contents are of value and
>>> that they might have been well recorded, I would suggest either
>>> obtaining a
>>> better machine to play them back or asking someone to digitize them who
>>> is
>>> in the business.
>>>
>>> This is a difficult "catch 22" if you wish to play the tapes on the old
>>> machine to determine which tapes are worthy of professional transfer, the
>>> sound may be degraded by that selection process on the old machine.
>>>
>>> I will admit to being in the business of doing such professional
>>> transfers, but there are many on this list who might be able to assist
>>> you.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> Richard
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 7/19/2016 4:01 PM, Mary Jean Collins wrote:
>>>
>>> Hello:
>>>>
>>>> I have a Roberts 6000, reel-to-reel portable tape recorder.  It is not
>>>> working properly.  I have many tapes that are close to 50 years old
>>>> that I
>>>> want to play.  I live in Washington DC.  anyone on list who can help me
>>>> out?
>>>>
>>>> List was recommended by someone at LOC
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Mary Jean Collins
>>>>
>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>> 202-531-4347
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>>
>>> Richard L. Hess                   email: [log in to unmask]
>>> Aurora, Ontario, Canada                             647 479 2800
>>> http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm
>>> Quality tape transfers -- even from hard-to-play tapes.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
> Richard L. Hess                   email: [log in to unmask]
> Aurora, Ontario, Canada                             647 479 2800
> http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm
> Quality tape transfers -- even from hard-to-play tapes.
>



-- 
Mary Jean Collins

[log in to unmask]
202-531-4347