Baking Ampex 457 1/4" Tape?

[nickdahl]

I was in Central Oregon last week and picked up a demo tape my band did in 1987. We used a Tascam 388 8-track machine and Ampex 457 tape (on a 7-inch reel). We did the demo, mixed it down (in 1987), and the tape went into its plastic bag and box. The studio owner/engineer kept it for us all these years!

The tape's never been out of the bag/box for 19 years and Central Oregon is a pretty dry place (humidity-wise).

Do I need to bake this tape before I use it? I just bought a 388 and want to transfer the tracks into Pro Tools. Usually, I just "go for it," but this time, there's no Plan B if I muck it up.

Here's some specifics:

1. It's a full reel of tape.
2. It's a "stock" Ampex plastic reel.
3. The tape seems to be wound tightly.
4. I read this website: http://www.tangible-technology.com/tape/baking1.html

I'm just looking for advice from those of you familiar with this tape.

Thanks,

Nick

 

[Beck]

Yes, it's a good idea to bake tapes from that era. It is possible that it's ok, but the method to find out for sure is playing it, and that can cause physical damage if the tape has sticky-shed.

Baking won't hurt tape, even if its not afflicted with sticky-shed. So you risk nothing by baking.

I use a Snackmaster dehydrator I bought at Wal-mart. It works like a charm on both 1/4" and 1/2" tape.

 

[arjoll]

The tape's never been out of the bag/box for 19 years and Central Oregon is a pretty dry place (humidity-wise). Do I need to bake this tape before I use it?

I agree with Beck, it would be safest to bake this.

I had some tracks converted from 1/2" 456 manufactured in late 1993, stored well, and it was sticky. I also have 80's and early 90's 1/4" Ampex which is unplayable, but stored in the relatively low humidity of Invercargill.

You don't want to find your masters nicely deposited all over the recorder...

 

[DrJones]

Yes, it's a good idea to bake tapes from that era. It is possible that it's ok, but the method to find out for sure is playing it, and that can cause physical damage if the tape has sticky-shed.

Baking won't hurt tape, even if its not afflicted with sticky-shed. So you risk nothing by baking.

I use a Snackmaster dehydrator I bought at Wal-mart. It works like a charm on both 1/4" and 1/2" tape.

Is it true that once you bake the tape, the tape becomes brittle and you pretty much have a one time shot to dump it down on the software of your choice? Does it change the quality of the tape also?

 

[Beck]

No, if done correctly @ 130-140 degrees F the tape is restored to a normal state. Depending on climate, it will stay that way for months. You can rebake as many times as needed in the future.

One of three things will happen when you bake a tape:

1. You under do it, with temp and time, so no benefit.
2. You over do it with temp or use a conventional oven and destroy the tape.
3. You follow correct procedure and rescue the tape.