Re: [ARSCLIST] [LA]Re: [ARSCLIST] Using desiccant with audio recordings

["peter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <lists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Barbara:

Polyester-base audio tape, all video tape and optical discs can benefit from
being stored with desiccant if the temporary storage environment is likely
to experience high humidity.  These materials include moisture only as a
"contaminant" and do very well in extremely low humidity. 

Acetate-base audio tape and film should NOT, as a general rule, be sealed
with a desiccant as some moisture is necessary for their "well being".

To tell acetate-base audio from polyester, simply hold the tape up with some
sort of light behind it.  If you can see light through the side of the pack,
the base is acetate.  If you can't see light, the tape base is polyester.
(note: be very careful doing this with pancakes- for obvious reasons.)

Peter Brothers
SPECS BROS., LLC
973-777-5055
peter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Tape restoration and disaster recovery since 1983

-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
[mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Language Archives
Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 4:08 PM
To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] [LA]Re: [ARSCLIST] Using desiccant with audio
recordings

Mike Richter wrote:
> Language Archives wrote:
>> I have to pack up my archive for storage in the University library 
>> while construction happens around my space. I was asked about the 
>> need to put (advisability of putting) desiccant in with the 
>> recordings. I don't know for certain how long they will be in 
>> boxes--we may unpack them for access on the other end, and while they 
>> think construction will end in August, who knows!
>
> I suspect that it will be important to know two things: what sort of 
> material (cylinders, 78s, lacquers, LPs, ??); what sort of storage 
> environment.
Cylinders, lacquers, LPs, uncoated aluminum, wire, open reel (10-inch 
pancakes--I have been reading that thread with interest!--7-inch and 
5-inch reels), cassettes, CDs, DVDs (also some video: film,  VHS and 
Beta, DV). I'm sure I missed something. These will be packed in boxes 
with like materials.

As to the storage environment, I haven't seen it(!). If you have any 
suggestions about questions to ask, that would be helpful.

Barbara