Help unearthing a fragile reel 2 reel recording

[garbulky]

My in law has a forty year old reel 2 reel tape of his mother. They want to transfer it to digital. However, they don't want to play it on any old reel 2 reel as they are worried it will stress it too much. I don't know anything further other than they are under the impression that it's fragile. So is there a special machine that is required to play really old reel 2 reel tapes that won't put too much "stress"? Any kind of help here would be appreciated. Also do you need something like a phono pre-amp once you've got the reel to reel player? Or will it output a line level output?

I don't know very much about this stuff. I already have a behringer UCA 202. Is there maybe a company that specializes in this extraction that would be better.
DYohn, Boomzilla, novisnick bootman audiobill @deltatube lonnie @keithl

[novisnick]

Sorry, I can't help, I don't have a clue.

[bootman]

I found a few online.

www.reeltocd.us/

thereelhouse.com/reel-reel-cd-conversion/

reeltoreeltocd.com/

southtree.com/reel-to-reel-to-cd

www.reel2reel2cd.com/

www.dvdyourmemories.com/services/audio-transfer/reel-to-reel-to-cd/

Good luck!

[wiskers]

40 year's! I believe the life expectancy in ideal conditions would be 20-30 years. You will have to send the tape to a specialist to get this done,plan on spending a few bucks. I'd like to see how this comes out.

[vcautokid]

Actually reel to reel tape, and cassettes too by the way will last almost indefinitely if stored in a non fast wound, temperature and humidity controlled environment. Tapes over 50 years old will still play fine.

Some considerations first however. A Reel to Reel uses a line level input, and output without need of a particular preamplifier. Also, I assume this is a 5 or 7 inch reel of tape? If bigger it could be a 10.5 NAB reel of tape. Less likely. Also is it Mono, or Stereo.

Playing back the tape to a digital device such as a computer, flash based, or CD recorder for instance.

You will first need a Reel to Reel machine. Yeah, I know. Kind of sounds obvious. What are the considerations. First, cost. Second is the tape the large 10.5 reel size, you will need a machine that obviously supports that size. IF 5 or 7 inch size, a machine that supports 7 inch will be just fine.

Single Motor, 3 Motor designs, almost really doesn't matter if you are going to transfer the information directly to a digital storage system. Sony, Akai to name 2 made good single motor Reel to Reel machines that sounded well, and worked reasonably well.

3 Motor designs will generally handle tape better than a single motor design. More gently that is. These are usually more expensive to make, and also on the used market are usually more expensive than the single motor type.


Above a 3 Motor Otari MX5050 BII model. This is a 1/2 track meaning that it will play 2 track Stereo one pass tapes. On some of these machines a 1/2 or 1/4 track selector was included so you could play Stereo Side A, and Stereo Side B. Think Records, you get the idea.

Notice this machine supports up too 10.5 inch reels. This is one example of what a 3 motor looks like. Note this one runs a balanced output exclusively. Probably not your first choice. A Teac Reel to Reel like a 2000 or 3000 series Reel to Reel is a good bet. Reliable, and not too expensive to get. If this is indeed the only tape in question you need to transfer, the above posts, and suggestions are great ones. If this tape you have might spark an interest in this still High End audio solution in the "Analog" domain, than a 3 motor Reel to Reel is certainly the way to go.



This Teac above is what is known as a 1000 series machine. In great condition, they still command a pretty stiff price. This is why I recommend a A-2300, or 3300 series if the larger 10.5 size reel support is needed.

Playing an old tape for the first time after being stored for a long period of time of non use. You need to "Unpack" the tape first. That is an easy method of fast forwarding the tape to near its end, and then rewinding the tape back to its beginning again. Doing this a time or 2 as this unpacks the lubricant resident in the tape itself, and will prevent sticking as the tape is played back. Quantegy/Ampex tape was famous for sticking layers of tape, and one method in severe cases was putting the tape in a oven at a specific temperature to free up the sticking for that one transfer needed. Hoping you don't have this instance. The internet is powerful source for the specifics if you need to learn more about this unlikely, rare instance you may encounter.

Recording your Tape to your computer you can use free programs such as Audacity to move the analog information on the tape to your Windows based computer for instance. Simply connect the Line Output of the Reel to Reel to the Line input of your computer. Being sure your computer in properties is set to record line input and not the microphone if so equipped. Set your recording levels of the computer so that the peak level output of the Reel to Reel does not exceed 0 dB. I like to say about -3dB so you have Margin, and will not clip the recording. If you have a portable flash recorder instead of recording to a computer, it is simpler still. As a Flash recorder using SD memory cards behaves the same as a reel to reel only smaller, and in the digital domain. You can connect your line output of the reel to reel, to the Line input of the Flash recorder. Following the record level method as you would as recording on a computer, you can copy/record your reel to reel to this device. This Flash recorder is about $450.00 or so. Not cheap, but a handy way recording music. A computer is cheaper, and you have that already free if you will. Just wanted to show another way to record.

This Tascam flash recorder takes CF, USB, and SD card memory for its record/playback media.





Similar to Vinyl, Reel to Reel music storage is not without its care considerations. Cleaning, and Demagnetizing heads as they build up a residual magnetism, and reduce its high frequency performance, and increase perceived tape hiss. Cleaning the tape path, and heads, and rubber pinch roller is necessary from time to time as well. While not difficult, it is a requirement to keep your playback, and recording of tape the best it can be. Also if you want your machine to play, and record at maximum performance. Biasing and Equalizing a particular brand of tape to that machine is a great idea.


Final thoughts. Yes, I have really paraphrased allot what is needed to enjoy a Reel to Reel. I had been doing this since I was 12 years of age. I stopped doing this much later in my life. My last Reel to Reel was a Tascam 52 Omega Loop 2 track. Supporting 10.5 reel tape size playing back in 1/2 track format.



Reel to Reels can be fussy compared to the most convenient digital sources today. I just wanted to share what the possibilities of Reel to Reel playback, and record are. Also remember getting tape is a royal pain. Emtec/Rmg are the last watering holes, or Oasis in a barren dessert that is now Digital. Hope this helps your quest.

[Boomzilla]

vcautokid gives an excellent discourse on reel-to-reel players. Allow me to add two things about the actual tape:

1. If stored in a humid environment, the metal oxide coating on the tape itself can either delaminate from the (usually mylar) plastic backing or else become further oxidized. The tape is then unplayable (delaminated oxide) or loses some of its magnetic coding (weaker signal & diminished HF response). The previous post also mentioned the lubricant that is necessary to keep the tape from sticking to the tape heads. This is not trivial. If the tape "sticks" to the heads or rollers, the magnetic oxide layer can be completely pulled from the backing, and that part of the tape becomes unrecoverable. Tape lubricants (light paraffin waxes, if I remember correctly) can be purchased & reapplied.

2. The tape path on the recorder must also be scrupulously clean. If the tape sticks to any roller or head, the tension variation on the tape can cause the tape to break. This isn't completely catastrophic, since the broken ends can be spliced back together again (usually with Scotch tape and an X-acto knife). There's a wealth of information on the internet about tape splicing as well.

Good luck!

[garbulky]

First of all, I want to thank EVERYBODY for their help! Thank you very much. This is a sentimental recording and the mother who made it has passed away for some time. So it looks like the tape is likely not in great condition. Does anybody know of any specialists that can do this with less than stellar tapes? The tape is not in our possession but with relatives who won't be willing to put in any grunt diy work of their own. So a specialist it is. Any reccomendations would be very appreciated.

[vcautokid]

May 27, 2015 21:47:36 GMT -5 bootman said:

I found a few online.

www.reeltocd.us/

thereelhouse.com/reel-reel-cd-conversion/

reeltoreeltocd.com/

southtree.com/reel-to-reel-to-cd

www.reel2reel2cd.com/

www.dvdyourmemories.com/services/audio-transfer/reel-to-reel-to-cd/

Good luck!

I think Bootman has some great recommenda rooms.

[garbulky]

Thanks vcautokid and also for the excellent previous write up. Unfortunately if I had to guess this reel to reel tape was stored in poor conditions, likely in an attic somewhere. So I have a feeling it's not in good enough condition for the cheaper services. The family has expressed a need for a more "professional hands on" type service due to its fragility. Do you know of any?

[vcautokid]

Hmm, that will take a little bit more work. Does the tape as far as you know have mold or any damage to it at all? Any damage to it could definitely make the transfer admittedly more challenging. I wish I still had some reel to reels, I might have been able to help you out. Let me see what I might be able to come up with.

[allyn22]

Sounds like a job for the plangent process

[vcautokid]

Some additional thoughts on the evaluation of the tape condition. Hold the reel of tape to a bright light, alowing light to show through the profile of the reel of tape. It should show a smooth uniform wind. It be even in density as the light passes through it. Darker areas vs. lighter suggest the tape was fast wound when stored last.

Also if the tape is showing uneven wind edge to edge, that will also indicate a fast wind. Also if the tape shows a wavy profile, it suggest that the tape has been exposed to extremes in temperature, and humidity. Also a plastic reel of which this tape is stored on will show signs of a Yo yo like profile if the tape is tightly wound.

So in sum, a good looking tape is one that is uniform in its wind, and does not have any waviness in its profile, also a nice even pack layer by layer gentle wind.

[vcautokid]

By the way, the Philips Audio Cassette has turned 50 this year!

[DYohn]

I've come to this thread late but I basically agree: take the tape to a pro. You might consult with a local museum curator or with the music department of a local university.

[vcautokid]

Another thought, if the professional restorer has the high end Studer studio machines, they have an archive wind that is more gentle than standard fast forward, and rewind. Especially with a delicate tape. Just might be the right machine.

[garbulky]

Thanks everybody. I think the family mentioned that they wanted the more "gentle" machines. I told them I doubted those existed but glad to hear they do. Now the problem is finding a professional group[ that does this.

[vcautokid]

To be honest most of these places will be museum curators that have this kind of equipment. Or a Library of Congress. I realize that is not much help, but there are places that do transfers, but do they have an archive quality Studer Reel to Reel that will get it done. Now as an aside, believe it Not some recording studios do have Studer Multi-track, and 2 track mastering machines. Question would be do they have 1/4 inch format for your application. Certainly they could go from analog to digital easily. Question is will they do this for you. I guess it helps to be connected to someone in the profession.

[vcautokid]

Interestingly if I was in L.A. I had connections, but not sure if they could help. Have to see.

[vcautokid]

Garbulky, I reached out to a Studio friend of mine. Hopefully we may have a solution for your tape transfer. Just wanted to let you know.

[garbulky]

Very helpful. Thank you VCauto.