cassette capacities

[dsw]

Does anyone know the limit of recorded text you can have on a C120 Voice Grade, normal bias, Professional cassette? On CDs there is usually a 74 minute limit required by the manufacturer on an 80 minute CD. Is there a cut off on each of the 60 minute sides of this type cassette?

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

A C120 cassette has approximately 60 minutes of recording time per side.... (just like a C90 cassette has about 45 minutes per side...)

I say "about" because it is not an absolute time value.... more often, C60 gives 31 minutes per side and a C90 46 minutes per side........

 

[dsw]

cassette length

Thanks for your response. I was actually wondering though about the manufacturer's requirements when you are having an audio publication manufactured. They limit you to 74 minutes on your PMCD even though the CD length is 80 minutes. I was wondering if there was a similar restriction on cassettes.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

Oh I see....

I can't tell you about any requirement or restrictions from a publication perspective, but I can tell you that very few cassette players handle the C120 tape length very well. The tape is thin and fragile, and is easily stretched, so it is very likely that the C90 length would be considered a maximum value.

The cassette sizes are dictated by the size of the shell and thickness of the tape.... I've never seen any release of cassettes anywhere close to the C120 length....