Re: [ARSCLIST] wire recordings - archival storage

[Steven Smolian <smolians@xxxxxxxxx>]

Actually, the Webster-Chicago wire is stainless steel and won't oxidize.

I've done hundreds of wires and have yet to see mold, though I expect it's
possible.

The Websters have to be heads out as the take-up reel is much larger and
part of the playback device.

Since wind is the fatal flaw- I won't do mare's nests- and the balance of
tensions within the device and the free movement of the bobbin are what
usually go out of whack to cause the tangle issue, I'd leave it alone until
transfer time.  Winding for storage rather than related to transfer is
asking for trouble.  

Kinks in the wire often develop in storage and will jerk the wire during
playback, sometimes breaking it.  For music especially, I usually make two
passes, recording both but inevitably using the second as it then unwinds
more smoothly. 

The Peirce-GE machine uses the same style feed and take-up reel.  It may be
feasible to wind these tails out.  You could do the same on the Websters if
you wanted, dubbing them with the signal backwards and reversing tit
digitally.  I don't know of any studies which investigate when print-thru
occurs on wire, though there may be a document covering this topic somewhere
in Marvin Camras' papers, possibly at IIT.

And though the wire supplied with the Peirce was also stainless steel, I've
worked on some where someone would his own and which rusted through in
clumps. 

Steve Smolian
   

-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
[mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Scott D. Smith
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 8:51 PM
To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] wire recordings - archival storage

Tracy,

This is an area where not a lot of research has been done (at least that 
I've ever seen). However, based on my experience, I would at least 
recommend the following:

1. Do not store them in the original cardboard containers, as it invites 
issues with mold and moisture.

2. As much as possible, make sure there there is a _consistent_ wind on 
the pack, with no loose strands. (This is probably _the_ most important 
part for long-term storage).

3. A threaded leader should be attached, if there is none present. The 
end should be taped to the top of the spool with an archival, non-bleed 
tape (the 3M "zebra" tape is perfect for this).

4. As oxidation of the wire is always an issue, (especially with lower 
grade wire stock), it would be best to keep the spools in an airtight 
plastic container (a small 16mm plastic film canister might be an 
option). A desiccant pack would probably be a good idea as well, but 
would have to be changed periodically.

I don't really have an opinion one way or the other regarding tails out 
or heads out for storage. More than anything else, I think it is 
important to have a well functioning machine which can properly wind the 
spools at a constant tension.

Scott D. Smith
Chicago Audio Works, Inc.


Tracy Popp wrote:
> Dear ARSC list members:
>
> I have been doing research on archiving wire recordings for a project we
are
> working on here at Univ. of Illinois. I have yet to find any  information
> about preferred archival storage of these types of recordings - storage
> orientation, preferred archival containers, etc. I have seen
recommendations
> regarding storage environment temperature but nothing definitive on
> container or orientation.
>
>  I'd like to hear about how you and your institution approach archival
> storage of wire recordings and if you have any particular resource you've
> used to guide your decisions. Thank you in advance and I look forward to
> your responses!
>
> Best,
> Tracy Popp
> Graduate Student
> Univ. of Illinois
>
>   
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