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Re: [ARSCLIST] Cassette obsolescence
At 02:12 PM 2/18/2006, Mike Richter wrote:
Except for incommensurate lengths, the standalone CD recorder is an 
ideal stopgap solution to this problem. I suggest regarding such a 
capture as a backstop or an emergency solution, not as preservation 
with all of the options one might find ideal. The process is 
essentially mindless (suitable for undergraduate slave labor) and is 
limited only by real-time transfer and number of concurrent 
transfers budget and space will support. It is not ideal, but it is efficient.
In short, it is "some kind of transfer" and is good not only for 
providing "some kind of access" but an easy and essentially 
risk-free way to search for content of interest. (Searching 
cassettes is the best way to destroy them.)
Mike,
One of the easiest things to do was to hook up a player to two or 
three Sony CDR-W33 CD recorders. The IR remote control would 99% of 
the time drop track marks on all machines at the same time.
Double jewel cases and two discs solve the problem of C90s.
Sharon Owen and a team of volunteers at Cal State Fullerton Center 
for Oral and Public History set up two or three Dragon-to-CDR-W33 and 
two Studer A807-to-CDR-W33 work stations. I leased them the Studers, 
I ended up taking a Dragon in trade for one of the Studers. I think 
they also had several consumer machines they'd use for 1/4-track tapes.
There were somewhere around 7000-8000 elements that got CD'd. I think 
they did pairs and then cloned one of the CD masters for an access 
copy. I think it was around 4-5000 reels and 2-3000 cassettes.
This was a real success story as the tapes were stored in a bad 
environment and they were exhibiting binder breakdown without being sticky.
Cheers,
Richard
Audio Restoration Seminar:  MAY 9-12, 2006; details at Web site.
Richard L. Hess                   email: richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Vignettes Media                   web:   http://www.richardhess.com/tape/
Aurora, Ontario, Canada       (905) 713 6733     1-877-TAPE-FIX
Detailed contact information: http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm