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I Found A Tape: Difference between revisions
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add digitization section. Fixed spelling and wording.
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Generacide (talk | contribs) (add digitization section. Fixed spelling and wording.) |
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Yugoslav war cassettes are some of the rarest tapes on the planet, 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. | Yugoslav war cassettes are some of the rarest tapes on the planet, 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 | 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 does so 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, instead 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 | In contrast, analog media will degrade in different, sometimes unexpected ways, instead 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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While the tape might look good, the music may not have been recorded onto the tape very well, and won't be in good quality either way. This does not guarantee good quality, but it ''does'' guarantee smooth playback | While the tape might look good, the music may not have been recorded onto the tape very well, and won't be in good quality either way. This does not guarantee good quality, but it ''does'' guarantee smooth playback | ||
== Digitizing and archiving == | |||
If there are no signs of sticky shed, and no signs of mold, the tape can be digitized. Digitization refers to the process of recording the tape as it's being played, so it can be copied into a digital format. Functionally the process is the same as recording sound from a microphone. | |||
A detailed guide can be found in our article on [[digitizing]]. | |||
Depending on the tape and its quality, digitization may not be worth the effort, especially if the tape is common and high quality audio is available. | |||
However, a common tape may still be interesting if it was produced under a different label, or if it was a reissue from another year. Savez.net will gladly accept any documentation about your particular tape, even if it may seem redundant. We hope you will reach out through our various contact channels. | |||
If your tape is exceedingly rare or valuable, we ask that you properly digitize it, and send us your raw, unmodified tape recording, along with scans or photos of the tape. Depending on your tape, Savez.net may perform a full restoration of your recorded audio, and the album will be returned to you digitally with enhanced quality. '''We will not charge you any money if we choose to restore your audio, and the restored audio will be given to you for free.''' | |||
Rare tapes may be given a spot in the [[Ultra rare]], "hall of fame" article, along with proper attribution to the tape's owner (if requested) and some of your own documentation (I.E a story of how you got it). | |||
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.''' | |||
