[peel] Re: tape screech

[RobF]

This will probably make the Azimuth-Evangelists cry but I got rid of some
fairly heavy tape screech on some of the old 400 box tapes by spraying WD40
into the case and then doing a couple of FFW and RWD’s to work it through.



Not sure if this is too good for the tapes in the long run but I figured we
were only interested in playing them the once in order to rip the content


On 31 August 2011 08:57, Humphrey <thebarguest@...> wrote:

> I've got a commercial tape from 1981 (Kampuchea concerts) with some screech
> that I haven't been able to get rid of. Same thing with an old commercial
> tape of the Damned's Black album ; never had it on a DIY/blank cassette
> though ! Tried everything - loosening the tape, re-housing, dif players.The
> problem must be in the tape material itself. Aadam is right though,
> sometimes noise is caused by restricted tape movement.
> Thanks for the 80 show Stu !
>
>
> --- In peel@yahoogroups.com, "Stuart" <stuartb@...> wrote:
> >
> > I think most of us are adjusting azimuth these days (it makes a
> difference even with AM recordings) though it is obvious from some of the
> existing Peel Shows out there that the azimuth is way out.
> >
> > I will try your screw-loosening trick first, though if it is due to the
> tape binder coming out of the tape then the screeching is actually caused by
> the tape moving over the head and can only be cured by an untimately
> destructive heat cycle. You have a day or two to get the sound off the tape
> before it blows up! (well not quite, but the tape soon reverts to screeching
> and will be in a worse condition...)
> >
> > --- In peel@yahoogroups.com, aadam jacobs <aadamjacobs@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I'm new here, so I don't know if this has been covered.
> > > When I've dealt with old, cheap tapes screeching I've found the
> following to work:
> > > FF & REW a bunch of times before playing. If that doesn't loosen things
> up enough, try loosening the screws on the tape shell just a very little
> bit.
> > > No screws? Transfer the tape to a new shell with screws. The old tape's
> shell will need to be carefully broken to free it.
> > > This is a delicate job, and it's better to have experience before
> working with a valuable recording.
> > >
> > > I'm glad to see the transfers are being done on quality decks like
> Naks, but are each of the tapes being played at optimum playback head
> azymuth?
> > > Azymuth is head alignment, and is done automatically on Nakmichi's
> Dragon and manually on other models.
> > > It can be done on any cassette deck with a jeweler's screwdriver.
> > > Much of the loss of sound quality can be attributed to tapes being
> played on decks without the azymuth optimized for that tape.
> > > Symtoms are loss of high end, a muddyness to the sound. It can easily
> be changed with excellent results by ear, no outboard equipment necessary.
> > >
> > > There are probably websites devoted to this....
> > >
> > > Happy listening.
> > > Aadam
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
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