Re: [ARSCLIST] Comment on limitations, was Magnetic tape brand

["Marie O'Connell" <azile50@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Jim

I have posted it to the AAA message board under accessions and processing.
Hopefully the upload of the picture worked!
http://arsc-aaa.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=345

Cheers
Marie


On 2/12/09, Jim Sam <sam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> I think _all_ of us would be interested in a picture of said tape/box, and
> a discussion like this could be easily aided with visuals.  However, a
> listserv is not the best location for such a presentation.  Perhaps such a
> conversation could take place on the AAA message board, provided any future
> asker has the time to take a picture and upload it to
> flickr/photobucket/etc.
>
>
> At 12:38 PM 2/11/2009, you wrote:
>
>> Hi Marie,
>>
>> If you measure the hub diameter and the thickness of the pack, I can
>> compute the tape thickness.  You'll need to measure as accurately as
>> possible.  I measure to the nearest 0.005" (0.3 mm) to get very good
>> results (I use digital calipers).  I'll assume that the tape is 500 M
>> in length.  If you have a really accurate thickness gauge, you can
>> always measure a pack of 10 tape layers directly.  The overall
>> thickness will at least help eliminate a few candidate brands/models
>> of tape.
>>
>> Could you tell us more about the tape, like color of the oxide?  If
>> you have handled the tape, does it "feel" like a 1-mil or 1.5-mil base?
>> Presumably no back-coating?  Color of the base tape?
>>
>> I'm wondering if AT-220 is "Ampex Tape" model 220.  Maybe they
>> purchased bulk tape from Ampex and spooled and packaged it in
>> China.  If you lurk on the Ampex Listserv, one of the Ampex old-timers
>> might be able to tell you if they distributed bulk tape to China.
>>
>> Maybe the reel itself could provide a clue?  Does the reel have any
>> markings?  Maybe there's a hint from the shape of the reel flange
>> holes or hub diameter?  Is it a slotted hub?
>>
>> Last but not least, maybe a post to this list for native Chinese
>> readers might help you locate someone who can translate the characters
>> if you have a scan of the box.
>>
>> Eric Jacobs
>>
>> The Audio Archive, Inc.
>> tel: 408.221.2128
>> fax: 408.549.9867
>> mailto:EricJ@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> http://www.TheAudioArchive.com <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 Marie O'Connell
>> Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 10:23 AM
>> To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Magnetic tape brand
>>
>>
>> Hi Jeff
>>
>> It is 1/4" inch, polyester, and actually looks as if it has never been
>> used
>> as it is only a pancake still in its plastic bag inside the pale blue box.
>> The tape measures 9 inches in diameter.  I don't think it is that new, I
>> would say it is possibly 20 odd years old.  It has 7 chinese symbols above
>> the AT-220 with the 500 M written under that.  Also written on the box is
>> Stereo Magnetic Tape (in English) and Made in China (in English).  There
>> is
>> a doodle of a baby's face on the back of the box done in biro!!  If there
>> is
>> no audio on it then the doodle, if drawn by the donor, could be the most
>> important part!
>>
>> I know nothing about the chinese language and just jumped in with a
>> totally
>> uneducated guess, EMITAPE, only due to the 7 symbols '-)
>> On Thu, Feb 12, 2009 at 4:42 AM, Jeff Willens <jwillens@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > Marie,
>> >
>> > Anything else you can tell us about the tape? Acetate/Polyester? Is it a
>> > fairly new reel?
>> >
>> > -Jeff Willens
>> > Audio Restoration Engineer
>> > VidiPax
>> > jwillens@xxxxxxxxxxx
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: Marie O'Connell [mailto:azile50@xxxxxxxxx]
>> > Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 7:55 PM
>> > Subject: Magnetic tape brand
>> >
>> >
>> > I was hoping to get some advice regarding a tape I am presently
>> > accessioning.  It is made in China, is a pancake only which measures 9
>> > inches across, and on the box it says - Stereo Magnetic Tape, AT-220 500
>> M.
>> > Unfortunately the brand name itself is in Chinese, I presume.  Any
>> ideas?
>> >  I
>> > tried googling AT-220 but no luck.
>> >
>> > Cheers
>> > Marie
>> >
>>
>