Re-record over 456???

[amphony]

How many times can I re-record over 456 1/2" before I start noticing a difference?

[MCI2424]

Originally Posted by amphony

How many times can I re-record over 456 1/2" before I start noticing a difference?

As many times as you can count (until the tape sounds bad and has tons of dropouts)

[Hi_Flyer]

does it help to use a bulk eraser before re-recording? i think I am starting to get some dropouts on 456 that has only been recorded over a couple times.

[MCI2424]

Originally Posted by Hi_Flyer

does it help to use a bulk eraser before re-recording? i think I am starting to get some dropouts on 456 that has only been recorded over a couple times.

Try another tape if possible. I have had a few reels of 456 years ago that had dropouts right out of the box.

Never competely rely on any tape off the bat. I have chased these "Deck problems" for days only to find that the tape was the culprit.

If the tape is good, look at transport alignment and see if the tape is centered on the heads, the tape makes good intimate contact with the heads, guides and rollers/capstan are all round and working smoothly and the head wear is not skewed.

Systematic and logical approach will finf the problem.

Also:

Clean the heads and demag if you know how. If you don't know the right way to demag, you could really screw up the heads.

[evm1024]

Originally Posted by Hi_Flyer

does it help to use a bulk eraser before re-recording? i think I am starting to get some dropouts on 456 that has only been recorded over a couple times.

Dropouts are caused by mechanical problems. Loss of tape to head contact due to transport misalignment, dirt lifting the tape slightly, shed, "bare" spots on the tape. And as mechanical problems bulk erasing will do nothing. So the first thing to do is to be sure that everything mechanical is aligned, tensioned properly and clean (did I say clean?) CLEAN. this includes the tape.

Being that you are using 1/2" tape I presume that you have an 8 track deck. Bulk erasing restores the tape to a magnetically neutral state. Wiped clean if you will. This is an advantage when starting fresh on the tape.

By having a magnetically clean tape you do not have to worry about crosstalk from the leftover drums on track 2 when bouncing etc.

Bulk ereasure also prints a consistent noise floor on the tape.

[Hi_Flyer]

thanks. thats the kind of info I was looking for. with tape being so expensive I'm trying to re-use it... I think there are a few issues with the transport on my deck, I am taking it to tech next week.