Tape Project Forum
General Category => Raw Tape => Topic started by: ironbut on June 04, 2008, 06:44:39 PM
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I've never used any paper leader personally, but I'm not real crazy about the plastic stuff that seems like the only thing currently available. It seems to do a great job in some instances such as for a dividers that are visible in the tape pack on our TP releases but for beginning and end leader, it drives me nuts! I do have a number of old tapes that have paper leader and I think I might prefer it. I guess the main objection I have to the plastic (Emtec or Quantegy) that I have is the static. One of the reasons I use leader tape is to eliminate the handling and keep the recorded sections of the tape's exposure to the dust filled air for any more time than it takes to play it. I can't help thinking that the static charge on the 2 feet of leader (which can also make handling it a bugger) that I'm attaching to my tapes, is conducting that charge onto the tape I'm trying to protect. There are some archival issues with plastic tape too but there seems to be some disagreement on that.
Well, I've found a source for paper leader so I'd like to see if anyone has had, or heard of any problems with it. I'd also like to know if any of you would like to buy some too. You see, it's very cheap ( $10 per roll 1/4") but the minimum order is 5 rolls. Oh,.. did I forget to mention,.. a roll contains 1000 feet! Actually, it just sounds like a lot. Most rolls of plastic leader comes on 800-1000 ft rolls and I used up one in about 2 years of tape collecting. Unless someone comes up with a good reason not to, I'll be buying 5 rolls pretty soon so if you'd like to try some, PM me
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Steve,
When I was in broadcasting and we were making our own syndication tapes via a commercial duplicator paper leader was preferred precisely for the reason you mention, static. I don't know how mastering engineers feel about paper leader these days, but at one time it was very common. Also I would agree that one roll should suffice for most tape fiends, unless you're going to add leader and trailer to a very large collection. Or you might have used a bit more if you made the odd pre-digital recording for a local choral group. I'm working on the beginning of my third reel of plastic leader (over that last 20 years) but I'd be up for a reel of paper nostalgia.
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Richard, I'll put your name on my list. I'll post here again when it's in and you guys can PM me with shipping info.
I forgot to mention that this is from the OEM supplier for Quantegy's Archival Quality AC1 L201WP and they still make it. I'm going to get one of their catalogs too. So if there's other interesting tape products ( I hear they make the blue splicing tape too) I'll make that available to members too.
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Steve,
Put me in for five rolls as well. I can always make confetti, or fill the hamster cage with the excess.
CV
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Actually back long ago when I worked at Secret Sound Studios NYC and we got our brand-new ATR-100 in we found that paper leader was MUCH easier to use when you do the little wrist snap on the reels/capstan you need to do to get the tape servo to engage (as there's no pinch roller) and thus hold the tape taunt.
Steve, I've already scored some paper leader from ebay. However, I am looking for timer tape leader(paper or plastic). Blue "paper" leader would also be of interest. I already have blue "plastic" leader from US Recording.
cdw
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Steve,
Put me in for five rolls as well. I can always make confetti, or fill the hamster cage with the excess.
CV
Somehow, it reassuring to see that Charles "go big or go home" Vonderheid continues to jump into the deep end. And from what cdw has stated, it sounds like a good idea. I'm still waiting to get a response to the email I sent them and if I don't hear from you soon, I may ask for your assistance with this order Charles. They're located in NY and the time difference makes phone contact difficult for me.
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I am at your beck and call my captain.
Actually it is "all or nothing at all" Vonderheid, but my friends just call me quick draw (wallet that is).
It still is cheaper than gas!
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Hi
I am extremely interested in obtaining about 10 - 15 reels of the paper leader tape 1/4 inch. I am in New Zealand and have been searching for it for ages now. Does the supplier have a website? Or how do I get in touch with them. Thanks for your help.
Cheers
Marie
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Hi Marie, the first shipment of leader we ordered should be making it's way to ceved presently. I don't believe there's a website but if you PM me here, I'll see about getting you some contact info to order some.
BTW, there is a person who regularly posts on the ARSC list from the national archives in New Zealand who seems to know a great deal about tape restoration and reel to reel. Could you be she? Either way, you are most welcome to our forum.
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Thanks for the reply. I believe I am that person and regulary post to ARSC. I am at Radio New Zealand Sound Archives and have been back here a year after working in the States for 5 years. Cheers :-)
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Marie/Steve,
I am no control freak, but based upon my experience, it may be more efficient for me to carry the ball for at least the initial contact.
I am under the belief that our recent order pretty much wiped out the current inventory, but more paper leader is to be had, never fear.
The restocking time frame is uncertain, but perhaps your interest will spur them on!
Marie, I owe the folks a call tomorrow, unless you prefer otherwise I will mention your request and then post the response in the next few days.
The gentleman we deal with is semi retired and as a result does not keep the slavish hours the rest of us working stiffs are obliged to log in.
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Hi Charles
I would be most grateful if you could mention for me. Actually, I've decided I want 20 reels, that should keep me going for a wee while! I tend to go through leader tape.
Thanks
Marie
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Marie,
Spare no expense.
Full speed ahead.
Keep an eye out about this time or a bit earlier.
I will ask for the cost of 20 reels including shipping/insurance to New Zealand and the likely availability.
As soon as I get an answer, you will get a post.
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Marie, I will send a private message to you as respects your specific order, but those with some interest in paper leader, this is for you as well.
You may recall that our Steve K bird dogged the source for paper leader and due to the vendors location , I offered to help out with the time zone issues.
Since this is Steve's find I will leave it to him to distribute the identity of the source as he sees fit.
That said, I am happy to report that paper leader while not abundant is not an endangered species either.
While our recent order severely depleted the on hand stock, it is being replenished as we speak/write.
That is the good news.
Here are the hurdles.
The seller is a retail business that appears to prefer checks to other means of payment.
Further shipping overseas is not their forte.
That will be an impediment for any of our overseas friends.
Sorry Marie.
However in the interests of our little community, I will offer to act as an intermediary to facilitate the transaction for purchase of the paper leader, more or less as a freight forwarder might do to those TP members who might otherwise not be able to obtain this product.
I would prefer to extend this offer to only those members who are subscribers to the Tape Project, or customers of BottleHead et al.
If you do not fit that description, please contact me to discuss your specific situation as Marie has done.
I do not expect an avalanche of requests since this really only affects our non USA residents and that is the basis of my offer.
If I am wrong I may have to reconsider. The supply of paper leader will also by definition slow the process down.
Marie, I should have some word on your situation by the end of the week.
TTFN
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Well, I think that Charles deserves a round of applause for getting that order through,.. that's enough! One of my few attributes is persistence and I think that CV must share that trait. Hopefully, he's primed the pump for any future orders since it appears to have been something of a bear to get done. I'm glad he pointed out that I'd never posted the contact info for this supplier so here it is now;
Art Brandwein
Tape Makers Ltd.
48 Urban Ave.
Westbury, NY 11590
(516) 333-2700
I was reluctant to post this until I knew that it was possible to still get the paper leader. I didn't forget,.. I have an excellent memory. So that's 2 attributes!
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Steve,
Thanks for the short round.
I had another retort which was a bit saltier, but in deference to our more genteel correspondents I will leave that for you to ponder.
Take my reel please!
Quick note lest you think I forgot, a request for a catalog or two accompanied our order.
I should mention in fairness to the folks at Tape Makers that I earned more than my share of credit for the duration of the transaction.
The folks, Art in particular were and are most helpful.
Be forewarned that Art is on an abbreviated work schedule; so keep at it. He is worth the wait.
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The whole leader issue is one that I have struggled with over the years. In the midwest, we used to encounter some real problems with the static issue during the winter months, even in studios with humidity control.
When I ran a large facility downtown, we had in-duct humidifiers on all the air handlers, and could get the RH up to 30% in the dead of winter, but then had condensation on all the windows!
My only complaint about paper leader is that, to the best of my knowledge, none of it is acid-free. We have had archival tapes come through our facility where the paper leader has turned brown as a result, which with acetate based tapes is never a good thing. In addition, I have had problems with the splicing tape not adhering well.
So, for the time being, I have been sticking with plastic leader for any tapes that are headed for an archive, but still prefer paper for the static control.
I had approached the engineers at 3M once about making a back-coated style leader tape to help with static control, but it never went anywhere.
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Hi Scott, this leader is supposed to be acid free as part of it's archival grading. I'll give a sample a pH test to see. Some backcoated tapes can have problems with the backcoating losing lubricants and sticking to the oxide (probably a worse case though). So maybe it's a good thing that 3M never honored your request.
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Hi Steve,
It would indeed be interesting to know the PH, if you can do a sample. In any event, I may be interested for some other projects. BTW, I have in fact seen quite a few cases where the back-coating delaminated and stuck to the oxide (mostly on Ampex tape).
--Scott
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I guess one other advantage a paper leader has ... you can write on it.
Only one the used tapes I bought had a leader and it broke off. Oddly
it says 'audiotape' every 7 1/2 inches . (A 7.5 IPS tape). Did leaders often have
writeing on them? This is for 3 out 3 Ironbut. :)
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Hey Ben, I've gotten a few tapes that have leader already attached and a couple do have the tape producers name printed on the leader. It's pretty unusual though. Most of the leader that I've found are different from the tape manufacturers. Lots of Scotch leader on Ampex tape.
Scott, I totally forgot about testing the pH on the paper leader. I'll write myself a note to pick up some test strips and distilled water and post the results on this thread this week,.. sorry!
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Hi Steve,
Thanks much. Would be interesting to know what you come up with...
Regarding printing on leader tapes: The only leader tape I ever saw with a manufacturer's imprint was from Audiotape, although I think some of the Sony and Maxell tapes from the seventies could of had them as well. I also have a few older reels of Telefunken and BASF tape-I'll look at them when I have a moment.