Greetings, and tape storage question.

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aMBient err

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Hi,
I've just joined this forum, so Hello. I've just got myself set up to do some recording with a Fostex A8, and I've been trying to figure out the best way to store tapes between takes (I'm using new reels of quantegy 457, incidentally). I've read that tapes should be stored end out to avoid pre-echo, but my recorder packs the tape really unevenly (which I've heard is a bad thing) when fast forwarding to the end of the tape, but quite neatly when rewinding. So, which might be worse for the tape, "end inwards" storage with the tape neatly packed, or end outwards with uneven tape pack? Or am I worrying too much? Any opinions on the A8 would also be appreciated.
 
Hi!

The typical method of getting tapes packed nice & evenly in tails-out orientation, is to PLAY through the reel, all the way through, from left to right. Use Play mode, as most R/R's pack the tape unevenly on fast-wind.

Other, more advanced R/R's, like the Tascam MSR-16, have a "spool" mode, which is a 2xPlay winding mode, but the Fostex A8 does not have this feature.

Use normal Play mode, L>R all the way from the start to the end, winding the tape tails-out on the takeup reel. You'll get a nice, tight pancake of tape, that way, guaranteed.

Welcome
 
Also, stack them upright, like books on a shelf. The reel will be less inclined to warp this way since most of the weight of the tape is on the outer part of the reel and can distort it over time.
 
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