Tape Trail

Baking Audio Tapes

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This Post Has Been Edited by the Author

In Reply to: RE: You need to make sure they are neutered posted by ltman on May 08, 2024 at 15:40:32

I have some experience with this. Before building my tape baking oven, I looked into the issues quite thoroughly. I have many old Ampex 406/407 and 456 tapes, as well as some others (BASF, Maxell, TDK).

My oven is all wood, with a Lucite window. Two 100 watt light bulbs, two dimmers, two thermometers, and one small computer-type fan, all strategically positioned. I can bake two tapes at a time. In general, for 1/4 inch tape, I do it at 130 - 135 degrees for about four hours.

Some important things to remember:

The SS problem is related to certain "high output" tapes. They absorb moisture from the air, making them "sticky". Not sticky to the touch, but sticky when running over the tape deck heads, rollers, capstan/pinch wheel, ... :(

If it's an immportant tape, DON'T run it to see if it's sticky. You'll ruin it. Adjacent layers of tape may stick together and peel oxide off.

Acetate tapes (generally older than about 1970) don't have this problem. Do not bake acetate tapes. You'll ruin them.

In general, tapes which weren't considered "high output" also don't have the problem. The problem stems from certain binder and oxide formulations. I've seen (many years ago) a list of tapes which are or are not affected. Sorry, I don't remember the website, but you can probably find it.

Musician Wendy (Walter) Carlos has a link to to tape baking on her website. Also, there's a page about it at www.youramerica.net.

HTH

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