quarterinch
New member
Should I be doing this everyday?
Good brand/Bad brand?
Good brand/Bad brand?
Demag
- Thread starter quarterinch
- Start date
B
Beck
Guest
A Demagnetizing routine should be based on machine recording hours. Some pro working studios demag before every session, but they will log more hours of recording time in a day than most home recordists will in a week or more.
For most once a week is a lot. I rarely demag more than once a month. If I’m working on a serious project I will demag and clean the tape path more often. Since most home/project studios can sit idle for weeks at a time it’s hard to say how often everyone should clean and demag. The more you’re actually using a machine, the more often it should be cleaned and demagged. Recommendations range from every 10 hours to every 50 hours of run time.
You should always demag before using a calibration tape to align your machine.
The most important thing to remember is that demagging the tape path is an absolutely crucial part of routine maintenance. A badly magnetized tape path will erase some of your tape signal with each pass, especially the high frequencies.
Tascam literature varies.
The 32 manual recommends demag every six fully played 10.5” reels.
The 32-2B recommends every morning or before every session, but you can bet they have in mind a heavily used production facility.
The 22-2 manual states it should be done “periodically”
Otari says “Demagnetizing should be performed before every recording session and
Prior to performing any alignments.”
A couple useful links:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1994_articles/mar94/tapecare.html
http://www.flash.net/~mrltapes/mcknight_demag.pdf
-Tim
For most once a week is a lot. I rarely demag more than once a month. If I’m working on a serious project I will demag and clean the tape path more often. Since most home/project studios can sit idle for weeks at a time it’s hard to say how often everyone should clean and demag. The more you’re actually using a machine, the more often it should be cleaned and demagged. Recommendations range from every 10 hours to every 50 hours of run time.
You should always demag before using a calibration tape to align your machine.
The most important thing to remember is that demagging the tape path is an absolutely crucial part of routine maintenance. A badly magnetized tape path will erase some of your tape signal with each pass, especially the high frequencies.
Tascam literature varies.
The 32 manual recommends demag every six fully played 10.5” reels.
The 32-2B recommends every morning or before every session, but you can bet they have in mind a heavily used production facility.
The 22-2 manual states it should be done “periodically”
Otari says “Demagnetizing should be performed before every recording session and
Prior to performing any alignments.”
A couple useful links:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1994_articles/mar94/tapecare.html
http://www.flash.net/~mrltapes/mcknight_demag.pdf
-Tim
Last edited:
quarterinch
New member
Thank You all for the insight, tips and the links.
And in so, I think I'll hold off on any demag until I notice the sound change or say three or four months. Whichever comes first.
And in so, I think I'll hold off on any demag until I notice the sound change or say three or four months. Whichever comes first.