Date:         Mon, 7 Nov 2005 16:52:33 -0500
Reply-To:     Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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Sender:       Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
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From:         David Lennick <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Magnetic Tape - questions...
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Robert Hodge wrote:

> Hello,
>
> You are undoubtedly looking at what is refered to as " Back Coated "
> tape. You rembember correctly. The dull side is the backing !!
>
> This tape was developed to  improve the grip of the pinch roller to the
> tape backing to minimise slippage when passing through the capstan..
> Indeed , this tape is recorded on the shiny- Oxide coated- surface .
> Attemptng to record on the dull surface of this type of tape will
> result in muddy, indestinct recording.
>
> Sincerely,
>  Bob Hodge
>
> Robert Hodge,
> Senior Engineer
> Belfer Audio Archive
> Syracuse University
> 222 Waverly Ave .
> Syracuse N.Y. 13244-2010

On the other hand, we were using half-mil tape at slow speed at CJRT in the
late 60s when this was the only way to record long programs to run on the
automated system. I once recorded the entire 4-hour evening jazz program with
the tape flipped, noticed it after I'd finished recording, said a few choice
words and then checked the playback, and apart from a small loss in highs (this
was mono FM and we probably had 10 listeners in those days) it didn't sound bad
enough to re-do it.

dl

>
>
> 315-443- 7971
> FAX-315-443-4866
>
> >>> [log in to unmask] 11/7/2005 3:25 PM >>>
> I work in an archive of mixed materials - paper collections and
> audio/visual collections.  I am sorting through reel-to-reel 1/4" audio
> tape, and I am seeing things that are making me doubt my prior
> standards...
>
> In the classroom and in many "best-practices" that I have read, reels
> are recommended to be stored tails-out, oxide facing in.  When splicing
> repairs or attaching heads/tails, the splicing tape is to be place on
> the backing of the tape - the shiny side.
>
> In my travels through the archive, I am noticing many reels that are
> wound shiny-side IN, and many many instances of splicing tape applied to
> the dull, recorded side.
>
> Are my standards too high?  Am I remembering my classroom notes
> backwards?  Any thoughts would be appreciated, to help me make "heads or
> tails" of this.  Thank you!