6/7/2023 0 Comments Tapedeck magnetic feild![]() If you’re travelling with tapes, watch out for luggage screening detectors since some of them use powerful magnetic fields. Never store them (or even place them) on top of electronic equipment or near to televisions, machinery, etc. To avoid stray magnetism, keep tapes away from magnetic fields. This is what you’re aiming for – don’t just clean until the used cotton bud is ‘less dirty’, keep going until it is completely clean. the cotton bud, after wiping everywhere, is clean and hence there are no more deposits present. But if I leave it for too long, or if I’ve played a shedding tape, it can take many cotton buds’ worth before they come up clean i.e. Usually, I just use one cotton bud to give everything a wipe and it comes up almost clean. How often should this cleaning be done? Some sources suggest daily! The rambler does it at the beginning of every review-oriented tape listening session and otherwise at least every two to three times I turn on the tape deck. If in doubt, check with a qualified tape engineer and/or (if possible) consult the service manual for your particular machine. You’ll need to identify every part of the machine that comes into contact with the tape as it plays, since each of these will need to be cleaned. If you’re new to the job, the first step is to familarise yourself with your machine’s tape path. Unwaxed dental floss can also be useful for getting into the edges of the tape guides. Since you’re going to be getting into some small areas and tight corners, a good light source and a small portable mirror can come in handy too. A pack of lint-free cotton buds will do the job, which you’ll dip in some isopropyl alcohol. So the heads and guides must be kept scrupulously clean otherwise these deposits will find their way around the deck and your tape collection.įortunately you don’t need a raft of specialist tools or materials. Old tapes in particular can shed at a higher rate. ![]() Oxide build-up on tape guides and heads can do more than just muddy the sound, it can play havoc with your deck’s tension sensors etc, and ultimately lead to a machine malfunction. During use, tapes will shed tiny particles of oxide leading to a build-up of deposits. A regular cleaning routine is essential to keep the tape path spotless, not only to ensure tip-top sound quality but also to prevent potential damage to both machine and tapes. Run a clean machine Keeping a clear head: your essential kitĪs well as keeping your tapes free of contamination it’s vital to keep your deck debris-free. Avoid contamination with dirt, dust, fingerprints and airborne pollutants.Ĭleanliness is important because minute debris can reduce the quality of replay by interfering with the intimate contact necessary between the tape’s surface and the playing head (and if you’re recording, the same principle applies). Store and use magnetic tape in a clean, smoke-free, food-free environment. A treasured possession needs TLC! Keep ’em clean Here are a few basic essentials for keeping them in tip-top nick. Think of your tapes like vintage photographs, first edition books or original artworks. ![]() Open reel tape, on the other hand, needs a bit of tender loving care. One of the many reasons that digital media became so popular so quickly was its near-indestructability.
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