Tape Project Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: rbwtapeinterlink-Bob on December 05, 2007, 08:36:27 AM

Title: Tape Recorder Demag.........
Post by: rbwtapeinterlink-Bob on December 05, 2007, 08:36:27 AM
My Dear Tape Project Friends,

Here is my concern. I finally got my "Han-D-Mag" in the mail and want to start demagging my tape recorders. My question is, am I required to use the same process to demag each individual head or will one process demag all of the heads at the same time. I plan to start with my Otari 5050 2B machines first. Once I complete them I will move on to my Tascam A7300 and so on. Thanks very much for all assistance.

Bob W.
Title: Re: Tape Recorder Demag.........
Post by: jdcolombo on December 05, 2007, 06:53:41 PM
Hi Bob.

You do all the heads at once.  The key to demagnetizing is to plug in the demagnetizer at least 3 feet away from your tape deck, then bring it SLOWLY toward the deck and head stack.  By SLOWLY, I mean SLOWLY - take 5 seconds to bring the demag from where you plugged it in to the head stack.  Pretend you are defusing a bomb and any quick move will blow you to bits.  Once you get it to the head stack, move it around each head and the tape guides.  Again, make all moves deliberate and slow.  Then move the demag away at least 3' - again, take at least 5 seconds to do this.  Unplug the demag only when you are at least 3' away.

John C.
Title: Re: Tape Recorder Demag.........
Post by: ironbut on December 05, 2007, 07:03:29 PM
Hey Bob, yeah, you need to do the whole "slowly bring the tip of the Han-D-Mag just shy of touching the object and slowly pull it away" to every object that is iron based and comes in direct contact with the tape individually. That includes guides and heads. Make sure and turn off the deck before doing this. These parts become magnetized after a while and can begin to erase the tape. It actually takes a lot to completely erase a tape but not to reduce the fidelity. I try to remember to do it every couple of months. In actuality, not even that often. I should have some kind of schedule worked out since I listen to tapes almost every day. What usually happens is I demagnetize when I can't remember when I did it last!
Title: Re: Tape Recorder Demag.........
Post by: mstcraig on December 05, 2007, 08:22:43 PM
One thing has not been mentioned, and is critical to remember. The Hand-D-Mag should ONLY be connected to AC power for no more than 3 minutes at a time! There is a fuse inside, and if it opens due to overheating, you must return the unit to the manufacturer for replacement. Go slowly, but do it in a timely fashion.
Title: Re: Tape Recorder Demag.........
Post by: ironbut on December 05, 2007, 08:35:29 PM
Wow, I didn't know that! Thanks for the heads up Craig.