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Yugoslav war cassettes are some of the rarest tapes | Yugoslav war cassettes are some of the rarest tapes in the world, due to their limited production, disposal after the war, and lack of search efforts globally. Some of these tapes take years to find, and if you've found one, you're going to want to take good care of it. | ||
Analog media like cassettes, VHS and vinyls play video or music as a series of magnetic pulses, or grooves pressed into a disk, not as a data stream like FLAC, MP3 or on a CD. This means a '''lot more can go wrong''' during storage and playback, and it can lead to degradation of the tape's contents. Digital content '''rarely degrades''' and only really | Analog media like cassettes, VHS and vinyls play video or music as a series of magnetic pulses, or grooves pressed into a disk, not as a data stream like FLAC, MP3 or on a CD. This means a '''lot more can go wrong''' during storage and playback, and it can lead to degradation of the tape's contents. Digital content '''rarely degrades''' and only really fails when the storage medium (Hard drive or SSD) is damaged or misconfigured. Usually a digital file will either work or not work. | ||
In contrast, analog media will degrade in different, sometimes unexpected ways, | In contrast, analog media will degrade in different, sometimes unexpected ways, i'''nstead of failing all together'''. This is a blessing and a curse, because where a good sound file will be perfect studio quality (if it works), a cassette tape will still play, but much work would need to be done in post production to improve quality. High frequencies will fade, songs will not always play back the same, players can chew and damage the tape (though this is rare), or the pitch could be completely off from what it should be. | ||
Because of their rarity '''you must take proper care''' of a tape when you find it, because you don't want them degrading further. This article will provide a basic overview of what to do when you find a tape. | Because of their rarity '''you must take proper care''' of a tape when you find it, because you don't want them degrading further. This article will provide a basic overview of what to do when you find a tape. | ||
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===Sticky Shed Syndrome (SSS)=== | ===Sticky Shed Syndrome (SSS)=== | ||
[[File:Extreme Sticky Shed Example.jpg|alt=A tape with Sticky Shed Syndrome showing tape "squiggling" inside the case, instead of falling off in concentric rings.|thumb|351x351px|A tape with Sticky Shed Syndrome (SSS). Notice how the tape turns and squiggles due to the tape's stickiness.]] | [[File:Extreme Sticky Shed Example.jpg|alt=A tape with Sticky Shed Syndrome showing tape "squiggling" inside the case, instead of falling off in concentric rings.|thumb|351x351px|A tape with Sticky Shed Syndrome (SSS). Notice how the tape turns and squiggles due to the tape's stickiness.]] | ||
Sticky shed syndrome is another product of '''humidity''', but it's not always directly caused by humidity. Over time, the various [https://creativeaudioworks.com/audio-restoration/sticky-shed-syndrome/#:~:text=Sticky-shed%20syndrome%20is%20a,deterioration%20renders%20the%20tape%20unusable. binders] of the tape will | Sticky shed syndrome is another product of '''humidity''', but it's not always directly caused by humidity. Over time, the various [https://creativeaudioworks.com/audio-restoration/sticky-shed-syndrome/#:~:text=Sticky-shed%20syndrome%20is%20a,deterioration%20renders%20the%20tape%20unusable. binders] of the tape will decompose, causing the tape to begin '''absorbing moisture''' which makes the tape slightly sticky. | ||
To check for sticky shed, put the tape in a player and fast-forward the tape until the end. After that, rewind the tape again until the beginning. When the tape is fully rewound, use a pencil to turn the full reel '''opposite''' to the the direction of playback. This will be the only way you can turn it, since the other reel is empty. Do this '''very carefully,''' as the tape can fold in on itself and cause creases. If the tape '''does not have sticky shed''', the tape should fall off the reel with no resistance. If the tape sticks to the reel and shows up in the viewing window like it's folded into a "teardrop" shape, it likely has sticky shed. | To check for sticky shed, put the tape in a player and fast-forward the tape until the end. After that, rewind the tape again until the beginning. When the tape is fully rewound, use a pencil to turn the full reel '''opposite''' to the the direction of playback. This will be the only way you can turn it, since the other reel is empty. Do this '''very carefully,''' as the tape can fold in on itself and cause creases. If the tape '''does not have sticky shed''', the tape should fall off the reel with no resistance. If the tape sticks to the reel and shows up in the viewing window like it's folded into a "teardrop" shape, it likely has sticky shed. | ||
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Sticky shed is another very bad thing that can happen to tapes. Technically there is no "cure" for sticky shed, but you can prevent the tape from ''absorbing moisture'' by leaving it in an air-tight container with [[silica gel]] packets, or by using a [[food dehydrator]] to dry the tape out. | Sticky shed is another very bad thing that can happen to tapes. Technically there is no "cure" for sticky shed, but you can prevent the tape from ''absorbing moisture'' by leaving it in an air-tight container with [[silica gel]] packets, or by using a [[food dehydrator]] to dry the tape out. | ||
Ways to avoid sticky shed will be detailed in [[how to store a tape]]. | Ways to '''avoid''' sticky shed will be detailed in [[how to store a tape]]. | ||
===Shiny tape=== | ===Shiny tape=== | ||
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Though we call some tapes "''valuable",'' '''Savez.net will ''never'' agree to purchase your digital audio or scans, unless you wish to sell the ''physical tape''. No store-bought cassette''' is worth over '''$100USD,''' with a '''very limited exception''' for '''promotional or master tapes.''' | Though we call some tapes "''valuable",'' '''Savez.net will ''never'' agree to purchase your digital audio or scans, unless you wish to sell the ''physical tape''. No store-bought cassette''' is worth over '''$100USD,''' with a '''very limited exception''' for '''promotional or master tapes.''' | ||
[[Category:Info Pages]] | |||
