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19. What is the best way to archive OTR programs?
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This article is from the Old Time Radio FAQ, by Lou Genco webmaster@old-time.com with numerous contributions by others.
19. What is the best way to archive OTR programs?
The most popular way seemed to be reel-reel tapes, using each of
the four tracks to record monophonically. Modern reel machines are in
the > $2,000 range, and used open reel machines are becoming harder
to find.
Purists claim open reel tapes are best stored "tails out", in which
the tape is played (not fast-forwarded) onto the take-up reel. This
method of storage makes "print through" of the magnetic sound image a
little less noticeable because the "echo" will come before the louder
sound that caused it, and be somewhat masked by the louder sound.
Cassettes are generally fine for portability / ease of use /
exchange, but they suffer from several problems when used as a
long-term storage medium. These problems include "overwinding" and
splitting of the tape at the leader. Because of their thinner track
width and slower speed (1 7/8 IPS), the density of the information is
greater than with wider and faster (3 3/4 IPS or 7 1/2 IPS) reel
tapes. This leads to a greater loss of signal (particularly high
frequencies) over time.
The Hi-Fi VHS tape is gaining in popularity because of its six-hour
storage capability and relatively robust mechanical construction.
"Hi-Fi" decks need no video signal to synch the systems, and can thus
record audio without an accompanying video signal. One T-120 Stereo
Hi-Fi VHS cassette can easily hold 12 hours of OTR audio (recorded
monophonically on the right and left channels independently). If the
linear track can be accessed independently, this will add six more
hours of recording time. There is very little fidelity loss when
using this medium to duplicate programs.
Conrad Trautmann (CONRADTRAUT@delphi.com) left this note in response
to a query about finding used reel-reel machines:
You can also call Harris/Allied used equipment division at
1-800-622-0022 or call Radio World magazine at
703-998-7600 for subscription information. Radio World is
an industry trade and has used equipment listings in the
classifieds once a month.
(Jim Blackie [jblackie@aol.com] indicates that the Harris/Allied
number has changed to: 1-800-300-0733.)
From: andy@vintagebroadcasts.com (Andy Blatt)
I wholeheartedly recommend Play It Again, Sam of Lakewood,
Ohio. They also sell used Pioneer reel decks with a
warranty and accept major credit cards for repair or used
machines. The address is 12611 Madison Avenue in Lakewood,
Ohio 44107. The phone number (no answering machine, no fax
machine) is 216-228-7330. As far as pitch control cassette
decks, Marantz offers several one of which is the three-head
portable PMD-430.
[Play It Again Sam has a WWW page at www.playitagainsam.com - ed]
Richard Novak (rnovak@ix.netcom.com) wrote this informative note on
using Hi-Fi VHS as an archival medium:
To clear up any misunderstandings concerning VHS HiFi machines
and their ability to record audio, I offer the following..
It should be understood that what distinguishes a HiFi
machine from a linear machine is that the audio track is
recorded helically (diagonally) on the tape along with the
video track. On linear machines the audio is recorded at the
upper edge of the tape (and a control track at the lower
edge, if anyone wonders what the extra head is for.)
On a HiFi VHS the audio is not recorded as an analog signal
as would be the case with linear recording. Instead the
analog audio signal frequency-modulates a carrier which is
then recorded between the video tracks. A duplicate signal
is also recorded linearly to maintain compatibility with
linear VCRs. The FM signal recorded on the HiFi track should
not be confused with FM radio broadcasts. One of my
customers thought the FM switch on his HiFi was for
recording FM from the radio. Today's machines no longer use
the label "FM", instead use "HiFi". Less confusing.
The sound recorded from FM radio broadcasts (or any other
source) onto HiFi VCRs is virtually indistinguishable from
the source. The material can be dubbed to cassette with no
generation loss.
There is no difference in audio quality using either six
hour or two hour mode.
It is true that at slower speeds the diagonal tracks are
closer together. This does degrade the video signal as
anyone knows who has compared six hour video with two hour
video. But does not degrade the FM carrier with the audio
track.
The tape writing speed of the audio track in HiFi mode is
the same regardless of linear speed. This is because the
head speed remains constant and is independent of the linear
tape speed.
Worked it out once and it is around seven meters per second.
Whatever it is, it's a whole bunch faster than 7 1/2 inches
per second. If anyone really wants to know the writing
speed, it is the circumference of the upper cylinder (or
video head) multiplied by the rotational speed which is 30
revolutions per second, or 1800 revolutions per minute. (Two
heads 180 degrees apart at thirty rps results in 60 frames
per second.)
Who cares how it works.. The point is that VHS HiFi is the
best and cheapest medium around for recording masters. But
not for archiving. Most experts still agree that reel to
reel is the best and most reliable method of archiving.
(Sticky shed syndrome from the 70s notwithstanding.)
Although Bob Burnham does not like dubbing (two-well) cassette decks
for producing highest-quality cassette tapes, he does have a few
recommendations:
One of the BEST dubbing decks (if you must use one) is
made by Denon. Both sides can record at the same time
and both sides have pitch control, and both sides have
separate output jacks for connecting to other
equipment.... almost like TWO (click) TWO (click) TWO
DECKS in one. Tascam (Teac's pro division) also recently
introduced their model 303 double deck. If it's anything
like the 202 MKII, it's probably not worth it. You pay a
high price for the name, but still basically consumer
grade inside and lots of plastic. Denon is better.
I mentioned Kingdom Tapes in Mansfield, PA as a good
source for cassette copiers, and equipment servicing.
All the duplicators I have in use today came from this
company. They have all the major brands (plus their own
house brand), also tape decks, blank cassettes, etc.
Great service (same day usually available). They'll beat
anyone's price on cassette dubbers. 800-788-1122. Fax is
717-662-3875.
Bob Burnham / BRC Productions / P.O. Box 2645 / Livonia,
MI 48151 platecap@gatecom.com / platecap@eworld.com
Several hobbyists are now investigating the utility of using CD-ROM
or MiniDisks for archival purposes. CD-ROMs can hold hundreds of
hours of program material, but at the cost of time-consuming
conversion from analog to digital representations. Selection of
appropriate encoding and compression technologies is extremely
important to prevent digital artifacts. MP3 (MPEG III) compression
seems to be more favored than is RealAudio(R) compression.
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