Thanks Gary,
Yes having had experience with one tape like this 15 years ago (from the
same person's archive) I'm aware of the centre track, the tracks 2 and 3
capture and the azimuth corrector technique. It's just a shame I wasnt
aware of this sticking problem back then as I guess if I'd unwound them then
it wouldnt have been as much of a problem as has now become 15 years on.
I only recently discovered that the tapes have been stored in less than
ideal conditions with high humidity and evidence of mould on some tapes
(but apparently not on any of these Soundmirror tapes that I can see.
Yes hoping Richard Hess or maybe Peter Brothers might have experience with
this sticky problem.
Regards,
Tim.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary A. Galo" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2018 8:57 PM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Soundmirror paper 1/4" tape
Hi Tim,
This is a strange problem. I've worked with quite a few Brush Soundmirror
tapes in our archive, and the only spots where I found any sticking was on a
couple that had leader tape spliced on at the beginning. But, it was
confined to that spot, and not all the way through.
Regarding playback on modern equipment, I use tracks 2 and 3 of a 4-channel
head. They fit right over that single half track on the Soundmirror tapes.
The stereo playback allows proper azimuth adjustment, and gets you inside of
most of the edge curl that may have occurred. It may also get you inside any
oxide shedding that may happen, if that stickiness is confined to the edges.
Then I put the two channels through a phase corrector before summing them to
mono.
Richard Hess may be able to better address the sticking problem.
Best
Gary
Gary Galo
Audio Engineer Emeritus
The Crane School of Music
SUNY at Potsdam, NY 13676
"Great art presupposes the alert mind of the educated listener."
Arnold Schoenberg
"A true artist doesn't want to be admired, he wants to be believed."
Igor Markevitch
"If you design an audio system based on the premise that nothing is audible,
on that system nothing will be audible."
G. Galo
________________________________
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
<[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Tim Gillett
<[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2018 8:32:39 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ARSCLIST] Soundmirror paper 1/4" tape
Hello,
I'm having problems with some very early Soundmirror tapes using a paper
backing, circa late 40's early fifties I guess. I suspect they havent been
wound or played for many decades. They contain live recordings of mainly
classical oratorio concerts.
The tape wind is semi sticking to the next wind in varying degrees depending
on the tape in question. With a couple I've been able to slowly wind them
off without tape breakage or loss of oxide. Once they have been unstuck and
spooled onto the take up reel they remain unstuck and play well. I've been
able to repair old splices and clean off old spreading adhesive.
But this one is more sticky and further into the reel I go it has started
to really stick to the next wind and rip off small pieces of oxide (I guess
more tension from being under a constant torque wind for many years has
made the inner layers stick more to each other).
Any hints on treating the tape to help it wind off without damage, or with
less damage? Heat, humidity etc?
Thanks,
Tim Gillett
Perth,
Western Australia
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