Tape Project Forum
Tape Machines => Reel to Reel Tape Machines => Topic started by: SvampeBob Firkant on October 15, 2011, 04:37:46 PM
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Here there is a question: I am happy owner of Studer A810 and newbie to Tape Project experience. Following advice of Ironbut I read the 'beginners pages' and try to buy demagnetizer to prepare my R2R for first Tape Project tape listening (the tape is on its way from US to Poland).
However, the person who sold the Studer to me said I shall not demagnetize A810 tape path and heads as I may made 'serious damage' to it. :-s
So now my question is: shall I demagnetize or not my Studer a810 before the first TP tape will be put on it?
Please help.
All the best!
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Robert,
Demagnetizing improperly can leave your machine magnetized, and lead to permanently damaging your tapes. If your machine is magnetized and you don't demagnetize it you can permanently damage your tapes. What a quandary! What to do?
There's only one way out, and it's not that hard. Here's what you have to do: demagnetize your machine properly. Get the right tool for the job, an Annis Han-D-mag. Move any tapes and other sensitive materials (like credit cards or anything else with magnetic stripes) a couple of meters away. Turn off the power to the tape machine. Holding the Han-D-Mag a meter away, plug it in and slowly bring the tip close to the head assembly, gradually approaching whatever metal part is closest to the left end of the headstack, whether it's a head or a tape guide. Move it gently around that part, barely touching it. Then gradually, slowly, move the demagger away from the head assembly until it's at least a meter away. Then slowly bring it back close to the next metal part in the head assembly. Move it gently around that part, barely touching it, for several seconds, then withdraw it slowly until it's at least a meter away. Repeat this process for the next metal part to the right, and the one after that, until you have done each metal part in the head assembly. After the last one, with the demagger at least a meter away from the headstack, unplug the demagger. Put it away in its designated storage location.
After this, congratulate yourself on a job well done, secure for yourself your favorite adult beverage, thread up a Tape Project tape, turn down the lights and turn up the volume, and enjoy music at its finest.
You shouldn't have to repeat the first part of this process for another year. The second part, however, should be repeated as often as you can manage.
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Nice post, Paul...did you get to RMAF this year?
Sadly, I was unavailable :-(
Saw Doc B on one of Rochlin's vids...quite enjoyed it -- you were marvelous, Doc (me...channeling Billy Crystal) :-)
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Paul!
Thank you for clear answer and detailed advice.
Now I know how to manage demagnetization in the proper way.
Can promise to you, I will repeat mentioned two processes with frequency you suggested.
All the best! And thanks.
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Nice post, Paul...did you get to RMAF this year?
Sadly, I was unavailable :-(
Saw Doc B on one of Rochlin's vids...quite enjoyed it -- you were marvelous, Doc (me...channeling Billy Crystal) :-)
Can't imagine what made you think of quoting Billy. Must be the similarity of the eyebrows. He's gonna play me in the movie.
(http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue9/images/doc_b_01.jpg)(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UaLWp72nij4/S7_MHgfpXbI/AAAAAAAAHF4/wWIWu1O7Vxo/s1600/billy-crystal.jpg)
Paul will be played by Alfred Molina,
(http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue9/images/stubblebine_ricker.jpg)(http://idolko.com/wp-content/gallery/alfred-molina/alfred-molina-7.jpg)
and of course Romo will be played by Owen Wilson.
(http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/48895_703893688_3153_n.jpg)(http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/50288_27472968581_7471969_n.jpg)
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Too good! It's always better to have a younger man play your part Dan. LOL I want to be part of the film crew for this one, perhaps a grip. This way I'll have control of the tape. Gaffers tape , that is.
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Nice one Dan!
And,.. I can see the pictures!
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Saw Doc B on one of Rochlin's vids...quite enjoyed it -- you were marvelous, Doc (me...channeling Billy Crystal) :-)
Can't imagine what made you think of quoting Billy. Must be the similarity of the eyebrows. He's gonna play me in the movie.
(http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue9/images/doc_b_01.jpg)(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UaLWp72nij4/S7_MHgfpXbI/AAAAAAAAHF4/wWIWu1O7Vxo/s1600/billy-crystal.jpg)
Paul will be played by Alfred Molina,
(http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue9/images/stubblebine_ricker.jpg)(http://idolko.com/wp-content/gallery/alfred-molina/alfred-molina-7.jpg)
and of course Romo will be played by Owen Wilson.
(http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/48895_703893688_3153_n.jpg)(http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/50288_27472968581_7471969_n.jpg)
Haha -- very cool, Doc...seriously, what brought a smile to my face was seeing you sublimely happy in some of the pics available on the web.
Priceless :-)
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Then gradually, slowly, move the demagger away from the head assembly until it's at least a meter away.
Not to be paranoid, but this one part has been so debated as to technique and speed as to make me wary of magnetizing rather than demagnetizing my machines.
I have heard it stressed that exactly how slowly and with what sort of motion is hyper critical.
It has been made to sound more delicate than brain surgery, with the need to move with the precision and speed of the minute hand of a clock! Particularly when "in close".
Given the varieties especially of my old consumer decks with limited head area access, and my general lack of coordination I always wonder if am doing more harm than good by either moving away too fast or not smoothly enough and/or effecting some other metal part (like a guide next to a head) adjacent to the one I am concentrating on at the moment.