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Thanks for the thoughtful responses. They're extremely helpful. Best, Tracy On Thu, Apr 30, 2009 at 8:41 PM, Steven Smolian <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Actually, the Webster-Chicago wire is stainless steel and won't oxidize. > > I've done hundreds of wires and have yet to see mold, though I expect it's > possible. > > The Websters have to be heads out as the take-up reel is much larger and > part of the playback device. > > Since wind is the fatal flaw- I won't do mare's nests- and the balance of > tensions within the device and the free movement of the bobbin are what > usually go out of whack to cause the tangle issue, I'd leave it alone until > transfer time. Winding for storage rather than related to transfer is > asking for trouble. > > Kinks in the wire often develop in storage and will jerk the wire during > playback, sometimes breaking it. For music especially, I usually make two > passes, recording both but inevitably using the second as it then unwinds > more smoothly. > > The Peirce-GE machine uses the same style feed and take-up reel. It may be > feasible to wind these tails out. You could do the same on the Websters if > you wanted, dubbing them with the signal backwards and reversing tit > digitally. I don't know of any studies which investigate when print-thru > occurs on wire, though there may be a document covering this topic > somewhere > in Marvin Camras' papers, possibly at IIT. > > And though the wire supplied with the Peirce was also stainless steel, I've > worked on some where someone would his own and which rusted through in > clumps. > > Steve Smolian > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Scott D. Smith > Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 8:51 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] wire recordings - archival storage > > Tracy, > > This is an area where not a lot of research has been done (at least that > I've ever seen). However, based on my experience, I would at least > recommend the following: > > 1. Do not store them in the original cardboard containers, as it invites > issues with mold and moisture. > > 2. As much as possible, make sure there there is a _consistent_ wind on > the pack, with no loose strands. (This is probably _the_ most important > part for long-term storage). > > 3. A threaded leader should be attached, if there is none present. The > end should be taped to the top of the spool with an archival, non-bleed > tape (the 3M "zebra" tape is perfect for this). > > 4. As oxidation of the wire is always an issue, (especially with lower > grade wire stock), it would be best to keep the spools in an airtight > plastic container (a small 16mm plastic film canister might be an > option). A desiccant pack would probably be a good idea as well, but > would have to be changed periodically. > > I don't really have an opinion one way or the other regarding tails out > or heads out for storage. More than anything else, I think it is > important to have a well functioning machine which can properly wind the > spools at a constant tension. > > Scott D. Smith > Chicago Audio Works, Inc. > > > Tracy Popp wrote: > > Dear ARSC list members: > > > > I have been doing research on archiving wire recordings for a project we > are > > working on here at Univ. of Illinois. I have yet to find any information > > about preferred archival storage of these types of recordings - storage > > orientation, preferred archival containers, etc. I have seen > recommendations > > regarding storage environment temperature but nothing definitive on > > container or orientation. > > > > I'd like to hear about how you and your institution approach archival > > storage of wire recordings and if you have any particular resource you've > > used to guide your decisions. Thank you in advance and I look forward to > > your responses! > > > > Best, > > Tracy Popp > > Graduate Student > > Univ. of Illinois > > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.12.10/2088 - Release Date: 04/30/09 > 17:53:00 >