View Full Version : Head Cleaning Etc
How often should tape heads be cleaned and demagnetized ?
Lodgesound
26-04-2017, 08:48
Cleaning - every single time you load a new tape and use the machine.
Degaussing - every 10 hours use or so.
topoxforddoc
26-04-2017, 20:52
Cleaning heads should only take a minute or so with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and wipe or cotton bud. Importantly clean the tape guides too, as you often get more oxide residue on the guides than on the heads themselves.
PS don't use alcohol on the pinch rollers
Audio Al
27-04-2017, 02:10
Cleaning heads should only take a minute or so with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and wipe or cotton bud. Importantly clean the tape guides too, as you often get more oxide residue on the guides than on the heads themselves.
PS don't use alcohol on the pinch rollers
Its better to use lint free cloth ;)
Its better to use lint free cloth ;)
Yup I know that I was just wondering on time periods on cleaning and demagnetizing.
I have read that demagnetizing is a waste of time and really does not do very much at all in the scheme of things.
Audio Al
27-04-2017, 14:40
How often depends on the condition of the tapes , as its only a quick process do it every time , a quick wipe and off you go
De mag depending on usage, monthly , you do need to be CAREFUL when doing this
De mag depending on usage, monthly , you do need to be CAREFUL when doing this
I have read that demagnetizing is a waste of time and really does not do very much at all in the scheme of things.
RothwellAudio
03-05-2017, 12:34
I have read that demagnetizing is a waste of time and really does not do very much at all in the scheme of things.
These days you can read anything on the internet - knowing the difference between the good stuff and the rubbish is the hard bit. I'm no expert on tape machines but I doubt that demagnetising is a waste of time, though I have read that many demagnetisers are too weak to be effective.
Maybe a proper expert can chip in with some better advice.
Audio Al
03-05-2017, 12:41
I have read that demagnetizing is a waste of time and really does not do very much at all in the scheme of things.
Dont do it then ;)
Dont do it then ;)
That is a very commonsense reply, I like it :)
Audio Al
03-05-2017, 16:10
:)
337alant
05-05-2017, 09:56
It's a waist of time when it doesn't need doing :eyebrows: but it can make a significant difference when it does need doing ;)
A magnetized tape path can also destroy your prized pre recorded tape masters and can roll off the treble on your recorded tapes.
Alan
It's a waist of time when it doesn't need doing :eyebrows: but it can make a significant difference when it does need doing ;)
A magnetized tape path can also destroy your prized pre recorded tape masters and can roll off the treble on your recorded tapes.
Alan
I have a couple of questions.
How do you know when it needs doing and how often ?
Any recommendations on the best way to use a demagnetizer, I have seen several methods on Youtube but not sure which would be the
best more correct method ?
Two methods on Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvviozXIfW8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrEFrZy6JQo
337alant
06-05-2017, 22:00
I posted a thread on this already
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?50957-demagnetize-your-Tape-Heads
Alan
I posted a thread on this already
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?50957-demagnetize-your-Tape-Heads
Alan
Thank you.
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