Cassette's Not Dead, Apparently!

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Originally Posted by DSJR

Don't you guys tell me that analogue tape is more stable, 'cos it certainly aint!!!!!!!!!!!

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Only joshin 'cos you were so... um... absolute about my old pal the cassette :)

I must admit though that I've lost more CDRs than I have tapes. I feel I can depend on tape but not on burnt discs... I know what you mean about tape shedding, but at least you have a chance of getting signal back. Digital decay is final :(

I have a few CDs rotting, most were pressed by PDO. Of all my tapes and I have many, all are still okay...a few have mild print through but are still playable, unlike the CD's which are scrap.

Out of interest does anyone have CDs were the label has gone sticky?



Regards D S D L

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Originally Posted by Beechwoods

Only joshin 'cos you were so... um... absolute about my old pal the cassette :)

I must admit though that I've lost more CDRs than I have tapes. I feel I can depend on tape but not on burnt discs... I know what you mean about tape shedding, but at least you have a chance of getting signal back. Digital decay is final :(

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It is my understanding (correct me if I am wrong) that NASA save/record to open reel tape all their data....they don't use digital for this information.


Regards D S D L

Really. Any discussion that supposes that magnetic tape is the more stable archival vehicle than CD is not serious. MHO. And, as far as I can tell, the HO of the entire professional music industry, which is saving the history of music from the stability of magnetic tape by archiving it digitally.

Tim

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Tannoys were ditched decades ago in classical recording because they were just too coloured...

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Interesting, Dave.

I'd say that the vintage 15" Monitor Reds in Lockwood cabinets I'm using (which incidentally are genuine monitor designs, as used for example at Abbey Road in the mixing of Beatles albums) are unquestionably the most uncoloured speakers I've heard - certainly much less coloured than any Spendors I've experienced (and I've heard most of them, and owned many of them, including BC1s), or ATCs, active or otherwise. The limitations of the active amp packs in the latter, for example, are usually obvious to me during critical listening.

So I guess we'll have to agree to disagree there, too, as we do with cassette tape :)

Marco.

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Really. Any discussion that supposes that magnetic tape is the more stable archival vehicle than CD is not serious.

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That's your opinion of course, Tim ;)

Other people's contrary opinions, as to how "serious" the discussion is in that respect are equally as valid.

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And, as far as I can tell, the HO of the entire professional music industry, which is saving the history of music from the stability of magnetic tape by archiving it digitally.

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Perhaps that's partly because digital equipment is what's widely available now and cost effective, rather than any inherent superiority of the digital format in terms of stability, per se?

Marco.

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Originally Posted by DSJR

My mastering engineer friend worked at Decca from the mid eighties until the late nineties, when they closed down their own facility and sub-contracted everything. Many of Decca's tapes from the early sixties on were starting to break down and the Tom Jones recordings from the sixties were shedding badly after thirty years in storage. Seventies and early eighties Ampex tapes have to be baked, after which they can be played ONCE only to get a digital copy, although many fifties tapes are fine still. It was a race against time to transfer everything before it fell apart.

Don't you guys tell me that analogue tape is more stable, 'cos it certainly aint!!!!!!!!!!!

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Scientific examination made in cooperation between Danish State Radio and BBC turned out different than you state here.
Tapes wer concluded to be the best lasting stroring form.

I have tapes way back from 50's and 60's and they all still perform as new.

I have CD's, not few, from 80's, 90's and even this decade, allready starting to loose contents.

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree very much with what you just wrote.

However, it's well known for tape operators and enthusiasts, that there were certain tape formulations used by certain companies that were suffering from sticky shed syndrom later on.
This phenomenon is well documented and easy searchable on the web.

"dolph"

Most interesting, Dolph. It certainly gives another valid angle to the argument :)

Marco.

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Originally Posted by Marco

That's your opinion of course, Tim ;)

Other people's contrary opinions, as to how "serious" the discussion is in that respect are equally as valid.

Marco.

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I'm not arguing the superiority of the digital format, Marco, but its stability relative to magnetic tape. Not all things are subjective. Only in the world of the grossly uninformed is that one of them.

Tim

So what do you say to Dolph's last post then, Tim? Perhaps you could address his observations? He appears to know what he's talking about.

And minus any petulant and inconsiderate remarks, please :)

Marco.