How Long Do I Bake?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dan Lail
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Dan Lail

Dan Lail

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Okay, I have figured out what to do to save my old tracks thanks to the info from members here:-) I have EMTEC SM911s on the way. I am purchasing a dehydrator this weekend. I will be baking 2500 feet of a 10inch x 1/2 inch reel of 3m 996. How long do I bake it on 130 degrees? Also, I will baking several reels of Ampex 456 - 7 inch x 1/4 inch reels. What temp do I bake the 1/4 inch and how long?

A side note; I have four reels of recordings on BASF from the 1970's that have no sheding and still sound new, hence backing up the reliability of today's RMGI EMTEC SM911. This is very cool info and settling to the nerves ;-)
 
Something no one ever mentions when it comes to baking is dont do it in your main living area. If the wheather is not to bad I would do it in the garage or at the least the basement.

I dont know if the shit that comes off of tape is bad for your lungs or not but it has a funny odor that smells like it could be and you will not be loved by your wife or girlfriend for doing it around them.

Sorry I cant remeber how long your suppose to bake it but I dont think you can go wrong with 3 to 4 hours on 1/2 inch and 2 to 3 on 1/4.
Maybe Beck or Jeff can chime in here and shed some light on that part.

Long live analog;)
 
Thanks, Herm! I never considered the possibility of an odor. I can bake it outside of the house. Yes, the wife has to put up with enough of my foul odors already :-)
 
Thanks for the link, Ghost!

So, should I forward wind on the tape deck(cloth covered heads?) a 7inch x 1/4inch tape so that it is tails out before baking? Then after it has cooled to room temp rewind it on the tape deck with a soft cloth covering the tape deck heads? Does the same apply to 10inch x 1/2inch tapes?
 
Dan Lail said:
Thanks for the link, Ghost!

So, should I forward wind on the tape deck(cloth covered heads?) a 7inch x 1/4inch tape so that it is tails out before baking? Then after it has cooled to room temp rewind it on the tape deck with a soft cloth covering the tape deck heads? Does the same apply to 10inch x 1/2inch tapes?
Click to expand...

The cloth cover is more of a precaution if you don't trust your tape lifters and after the baking process is cooled and finished, there shouldn't be any need for the cloth at all as the tape should not be in danger any longer.

I would wind onto metal reels though for the baking process as the plastic ones might warp from the heat.

Cheers! :)
 
Okay! I think that should do it. It will be a lot of fun mixing these down after all this time.

I love analog and sound in general. I remember once years ago hamonizing with the hum of a overhead fan motor in a warehouse. The other employees looked at me as if something strange was going on ;-)
 
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