[Dixielandjazz] Reel to Reel Playback Problems -- Tape Squeal

[Edgerton, Paul A]

The old trick of "baking" magnetic tape really is useful with very old
tape since the binder of many formulations is hygroscopic.  This is of
course a temporary fix at best.  Magnetic domains are naturally trying
to erase themselves.

That squealing is called scrape-flutter.  When the tape is sticky, it
acts almost like a well-rosined bow covered and drags over the heads and
tape guides causing the tape to vibrate.  Some of the best machines have
rolling tape guides called scrape-flutter idlers right next to the
heads.  This helps, but when the tape is gummy, only drying and
physically cleaning the tape will make it playable, and this process
causes a lot of the oxide to be lost, so you won't want to do this many
times.  You may also notice the heads getting dirty in after just a few
minutes of playing time, so when doing transfers of gunky tapes, the
heads will probably need cleaning after each tune.

EVERY format has a finite life, due to limitations of the media or the
reader.  A cautious archivist will carefully transfer his library to the
best current format before the old media becomes unusable.

-- Paul Edgerton