Help! I think I killed my R2R!

  • Thread starter Thread starter doris
  • Start date Start date
Yes, but the every 30-40 hours of use is a number derived from the needs of older tape decks, manufactured in the 40s, 50s and 60s. Newer tape decks are less suspectible to magnetization, and therefore do not need demagging as often.

This is all religion, and as in all religion, old practices remain even though they no longer make sense.

Here is an interesting read on the topic, btw.
http://www.interstage.dk/Sider/Prod...L/MRL_NotesOnTapeMachineDemagnetizing_not.pdf
It includes a way to figure out if you need to demagnietize. Unfortunately, it's very cumbersome, so it's easier to just demagnetize.

My recommendation is to demagnetize when you do your big spring/fall cleanings in the studio. ;)
 
thanks for all the replies

this turned into a nice discussion. regardless of how much i have learned here, i am going to have a hard time plugging the han-d-mag in again any time soon--especially if i get a new machine! i can intellectualize it all i want, but it will still scare the crap out of me next time. for example: obviously i did a no-no, but how do i REALLY know the demagger isn't f'd up??? maybe i SHOULD pray to the god of demagnetization next time...
--doris
 
You could test out your Han-d-mag by trying it on a magnetized screwdriver tip that normally picks up a screw. Use the wand on it to see if it can rid the screwdriver of it's power.

Besides that, though, the fact that you fried a few parts in the circuitry is testament enough that it indeed works!:eek:

Good luck with the estimate from the shop if you are still planning that route.

Cheers! :)
 
Thanks Ghost! A plan is in the works. I'll report back when I get somewhere with this.
--doris
 
The beauty of analog recording over digital is brought into sharp relief in this thread. Sure, they get to defrag and edit regestries, but we actually dance around the altar waving a magic wand. I for one, am completely hooked.

Derek Verner said:
The wand works by supplying an alternating magnetic field that aligns the magnetinc domains in the material being demagged. first with one polarity, then with the other.
Click to expand...

If you want us to take what you say seriously...blah, blah, blah. Practice what you preach, and don't sit with your back to the door.

regebro said:

This is all religion, and as in all religion, old practices remain even though they no longer make sense.
Click to expand...

Blaspheme! The Big Dog at the old TASCAM bbs, Larry Robinson, had us demagging before every recording session . Now, there's a shaman who knows the value of a stylized pagan ritual...
 
DigitalSmigital said:
The beauty of analog recording over digital is brought into sharp relief in this thread. Sure, they get to defrag and edit regestries, but we actually dance around the altar waving a magic wand. I for one, am completely hooked.
Click to expand...

Well, even a dedicated atheist like me have to acknowledge that this is MUCH cooler. :)
 
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