My 🐘 app isn't updating anymore but that's alright because it's not the hellhole that is Twitter. Anyway- here's a pic of 12.5" flange 1/2" masters on the 104. At first they seem almost too big for this deck design but when it's initialized and slowly jogging to cue, it's obvious these were meant for this machine. Bliss. #audio #audioarchiving #archives #preservation #remediation #analog #audiophile

Custom 1/4" headstack for the ATR 104. 1/4 Track Stereo in the Sync position / Full Track Mono in the Repro position. Both wired through the Repro electronics, so no need for a switch. Noiseless. This makes format switching and realignment so much easier. #analogtape #audioarchiving #archiving #audiorestoration #audiopreservation #analogaudio #hifi

Flash back to one of the worst collections I've had the pleasure to catalog. This was just a portion of 2" tapes that had been in a fire and then basically a flood.. most were un-remediable, but some managed to survive. ALL of the assets were damaged. Mass carnage. #archiving #audioarchiving #preservation #audiopreservation #remediation #analogtape

The Magnetic Viewer is the coolest little tool I've ever encountered. Super simple science, but without it my job would be way harder. It's tiny magnetic particles react to the recorded material on the tape, revealing the format. Here's a 4 track on a 1/4" tape. Without documentation, this tool is a mystery solver. #archival #audioarchiving #audiopreservation #audiorestoration #analogtape #analog

Here's a 1/4" master reel lit from below to ascertain tape formula before incubation. The opaque, dark section is a song cut on polyester tape, while the remaining transparent tracks are acetate. Because high/dry temps are destructive to acetate- the poly track is removed, re-spooled, baked and then re-spliced onto the reel for transfer. #analog #archiving #audio #audiopreservation #audioarchiving #restoration

Cartridge remediation! Here's a single on a DAT tape that was re-housed in a functional cartridge. It arrived looking suspiciously like a dog had chewed the tape, rendering the spring loaded slider inoperable. Had to break out the tiny tools!
PSA:: 90's media is degrading at lightning speed. The decks & tape formulas were mediocre at best. If you have audio on DAT, ADAT, or DTRS- get them digitized!! #dattape #digitaltape #90saudio #audioarchiving #audiopreservation #archival #restoration

Here's a common before and after example of mold remediation on a reel of 1/2" analog tape. Mold loves to settle on polyester formulas when stored in a humid environment- although we sometimes see it on acetate. This poly reel was incubated and cleaned before transferring smoothly. Chemicals and patience. Mostly patience. #audioarchiving #analogtape #preservation #restoration #remediation #audiophile