Answers from IT experts please

[terryc]

Looks like I started something good here, to be honest, I am not into home recording at that level, ever since I started playing in the early 70's I was always a 'live' player and always went into studios to record demos for gig bookings.
I own a very old(1979) Akai 4000DS Mk II reel to reel tape recorder. It still works perfectly and records perfectly too.
I have used it to record band's live to get that tape saturation effect although now it resides in my cupboard in it's flight case I made.
I leave the recording to the ones that know best as I never have the time to sit down and record tracks. Once tried but got so bloody bored in hearing the same thing over and over again I gave up.
Again thanks for all suggestions

[sonicus]

HI terryc,
      I understand that you are not into doing home recording in general however  , you can get an audio interface that will upgrade the digital sound for your computer.  I do many analog to digital transfers and many of them Reel to Reel tapes and cassettes as well.  The Reel to Reel tapes that you have need to be transfered to digital files such as 24/96 wav files or aif type Or at least 16-bit /44.1 for burning to CD.   Most of the old Mylar based  (AMPEX , BASF, AGFA   all have variations of problems) Reel to Reel tape WILL have problems with  Sticky Shed Syndrome and will not be able to be played back unless they are baked ! Acetate such as Scotch 111  from the late 1950's and 60's had surprisingly less problems ;I transferred a full track  Acetate 1/4 inch tape from 1958 recorded @15ips that was amazing .  The time period that you mention was likely Mylar. I think Now is the time to start to archive your Collection of tapes before they get any worse.  You can digitize these tapes your self with a Good sound card / analog to digital interface .  I love  Reel to Reels  as well I have a fleet of MCI, Studer and Ampex machines in various track configurations.   It would be a good idea to use your tape machine from time to time and do periodic maintenance and DON'T let the capacitors dry out from non use.
 Happy  Reel to Reeling !  
And as always _____
      Sonic Regards !
 
(Message edited by sonicus on November 04, 2010)