There comes a time when a magnetic audio tape recording will be rendered un-playable. The key is to get the information transferred from the media as soon as possible before any further deterioration can occur. Playing an old tape will most likely cause more damage and high frequency loss, so it is very important not to play the tape.

I transfer, convert old phonograph records and reel to reel magnetic audio tapes to CD.
Analog magnetic audio tape formats I accept for transfer, conversion, restoration and archiving to digital files and CD:

• ½" 8-track reel to reel 7½, 15 I.P.S.
• ½” 4-track and 2-track reel to reel 7½, 15, 30 I.P.S.
• ¼” 2-track, half-track, full-track reel to reel 3¾, 7½, 15, 30 I.P.S.
• ¼” 4-track, quarter-track reel to reel 3¾, 7½, 15 I.P.S.

Other formats accepted for transferring and archive:

• DAT
• Tascam DA-88
• Audio Cassette
• Phonograph Records, 16, 33, 33-1/3, 45, 78 RPM

Tape machines used for tape to digital or CD transfer:

• Ampex ATR-102 ¼” 2-track reel to reel 3¾, 7½, 15, 30 I.P.S.
• Ampex AG-440C ½” 2-track, 4-track or ¼” 4-track reel to reel 3¾, 7½, 15 I.P.S. (also variable speed)
• Ampex AG-440B ¼” 4-track reel to reel 7½, 15 I.P.S.
• Ampex 350-2 ¼” 2-track reel to reel 7½, 15 I.P.S.
• Ampex 300-4 ½” 4-track reel to reel 7½, 15, 30 I.P.S.
• Teac 4330-S ¼” 4-track reel to reel 7½, 15 I.P.S.
• Tascam TSR-8 ½" 8-track reel to reel 7½", 15 I.P.S.

Noise reduction units available for transfer:

• dbx 155 type I, 8 channels
• Dolby SR, 2 channels

This is a sample of a 78 RPM disc I received for transferring to digital files and then to CD. The disc was recorded on a home-type record cutter in the late 1940’s as told by the client. The client brought numerous discs to be transferred. All were in horrible condition, probably from poor storage. The disc in the worst condition can be seen in the photo below and was the one used in the following sound sample. What appears to be dust on the surface is actually deterioration of the surface. This record also had a radial crack. Most records in this type of condition are usually good for one or two plays. Playing such records only deteriorates the grooves even more. The key is to get signal off of the record within one or two passes.

This is a sample of a reel-to-reel magnetic tape I received for transferring to digital files and then to CD. The tape was Scotch/3M #150 ¼” recorded at 3¾ IPS ½ track mono. The tape was recorded in Europe by an amateur in 1970 as told by the client. The tape was threaded onto an Ampex ATR-102 (with cleaned heads). After playing a few feet, it was apparent that the tape was shedding from the Polyester backing. The tape was removed from the machine and immediately “baked”. After the baking process, the tape was successfully transferred to digital files.

When a tape is played on a tape machine tape shed is obvious after playing from a few feet or so. When shed happens, the tape should not be played any further until it can be properly baked. Trying to play the tape without baking will cause the iron oxide to come off and clog up the heads and tape path mechanisms and cause terrible squealing sound that can be heard close to the clogging heads and mechanisms. The squeal can also be heard in the transfer. Playing a shedding tape can also destroy precious high frequencies on the tape and render the tape unplayable.

Before the client brought the above tape to me, he had taken it to someone else who was not aware that the tape needed to be baked. He made a digital transfer for the client. This is a sample of that transfer. The sound of “shed squeal” is obvious in this sample. Luckily, the tape was not ruined and I was able to make a successful transfer.