An unusually grimy anolog tape?

[Adam K]

I am a new home recorder, and use a Tascam 424 MKII. I have followed the advice of cleaning machine heads before and after sessions. Usually the cotton swabs don't show much black grime. I recently used two Maxell 60 min tapes that seem to really dirty up the heads in a few minutes of playing time. The grime noticeably damaged the recording and playback quality, and would return just minutes after cleaning. Has anyone encountered this problem with a specific tape? or is this an indication of some other problem? Also, how important is rubber cleaner for use on the rubber roller- is head cleaner that bad for the roller? Thanks so much for your time and help.

 

[hixmix]

Head cleaner is specifically formulated for cleaning heads. Roller cleaner for cleaning and preserving rubber and plastic rollers.

If you used head cleaner on the rubber or plastic rollers it could disslove or harden them.

 

[Loren Morehouse]

Adam, that seems to be a pretty common problem nowadays when using Maxell tape. I too have had that same problem when using my Portastudio. According to Tascam, they use TDK SM Series tape as their reference tape. I've made my own comparisons and still think Maxell kicks their ass, but it does shed so much that you can't use it. I hope Maxell can get this problem corrected!! In the mean time, I'll still look for another brand. I'd like to try Sony, but I can't find the Type II in my area. Good luck!! Loren.

 

[Wil Davis]

How old is the tape you are using? Your problem sounds quite similar to the classic "shedding" problem, which occurs when an old tape has been stored under sub-optimal conditions (ie high humidity), and the binder aborbs moisture from the air, resulting in the oxide tending to shed on to the recorder heads, guides and capstans.

The cure is to BAKE the tape at about 150 degrees F for about 2 to 4 hours. My experience of this has only been with 1/4" half-track reel-to-reel tape, so I'm not familiar with the same problem occuring with cassettes. If the tape formulation is basically the same, I would imagine that cassettes would shed just as badly as reel-to-reel tape.

Hope this helps -

- Wil