Hi Jeff,
Just a note on Audiodisc blanks... In my experience the Audiodisc blanks seem to have more plasticizer than some of the other blanks. This is purely anecdotal from transfering many hundreds of these discs.
The extra abundance of plasticizer has benefits - the recordings tend to be quieter than other blanks, and they seem modestly less prone to laminate shrinkage and crazing due to plasticizer loss.
The down side is that they are more prone to palmitic and stearic acid formation than other brands of blanks. Again, this is purely anecdotal / observation.
Per my other email, stable temperature and low humidity are more critical for Audiodisc blanks than perhaps other brands (although stable temps and low RH are important for storing all lacquer discs).
Last, but not least, I would strongly recommend storing these discs in base-buffered sleeves. The base buffer in the sleeve will help minimize or at least stave off the autocatylitic reaction associated with palmitic and stearic acid formation, particularly if you don't have the driest of storage conditions.
Eric Jacobs
The Audio Archive, Inc. tel: 408.221.2128 fax: 408.549.9867 mailto:EricJ@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.TheAudioArchive.com Disc and Tape Audio Transfer Services and Preservation Consulting
-----Original Message----- From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List [mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Jeffrey Martin Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 12:10 PM To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [ARSCLIST] Lacquer disc storage conditions
I'm trying to advise a colleague who has recently discovered some 1960s-era lacquer discs in her collection. (They're recorded on Audio Devices Audiodiscs.) What are the preferred conditions for storing lacquer discs? She has access to cold storage (40 degrees F), cool storage (55 degrees F) and obviously standard office HVAC storage.
Many thanks,
Jeff Martin Chicago, IL