TAPE GUIDE (Aug. 1992)

Shortening a Tape

Q. Where can I get a kit for splicing audio cassettes? What kind of adhesive should I use? What procedure can be used to shorten the tape in a cassette?

-Ricardo Cueva; Monterrey, Mexico

A. Many audio stores sell splicing kits to repair breaks in cassette tapes and the special splicing tape required to do so. Use of conventional transparent tape is a no-no.

To shorten the tape, wind some of the tape onto the right-hand reel so that you are past the leader, which is usually transparent or white. With a toothpick or such, pull some tape out from the center opening of the cassette. Cut the tape. Pull out as much tape as desired from the left reel, which holds the bulk of the tape. Cut off the undesired tape. Splice the ends sticking out from the left and right reels, using your splicing kit and splicing tape. Finally, rotate the right reel, using your little finger or the rubber end of a pencil, so as to remove slack.

Dangers of Alcohol?

Q. Does the use of 91% isopropyl alcohol cause a tape deck's rubber pressure rollers to dry out and crack? Does it accelerate the drying/aging process of the pressure roller? I have noticed in my old tape player that my use of alcohol has caused the rollers to become dry and cracked, and the cot ton swab even becomes black after all the brownish tape oxide has been re moved. I'm afraid that the alcohol is even removing the rubber in addition to the oxide. Is there an alternative to alcohol? I just got a new tape player and don't want to make the same mis take again.

-Name withheld

A. A solution of 91% isopropyl alcohol has been widely recommended as a cleaning agent for a tape deck's heads, guides, capstans, pressure rollers, etc., although some deck manufacturers specifically advise using an other solvent. It may be that some makers' pinch rollers are adversely affected by this cleaner.

To date, I have received from "Tape Guide" readers only one other adverse comment on 91% isopropyl. The reader recommended S-711 by Intraclean, available at some audio stores. Most stores sell special tape deck cleaners, often containing tri-chloro-fluorethane, a substance recommended by some.

Inasmuch as your tape deck is an older one, perhaps the condition of your pressure rollers essentially reflects the normal results of wear and aging. In my own experience, I have used 91% isopropyl for many years on several decks and never encountered adverse effects on the pressure rollers.

This may reflect that my decks have been of high quality, employing high-quality parts, and that my use of alcohol has been sparing.

When you do purchase a new deck, find out what cleaning agent(s) the manufacturer recommends.

Headphones vs. Speakers

Q. Every time I tape an LP, the tape sounds very nice through my head phones but sounds a little bit flat when I switch to my speakers. Please help me solve my problem so that I hear the whole sound through the speakers. If the sound is good through the headphones, then the speakers should be even better.

-Eric Bailey, Chicago, Ill.

A. It is difficult to help you because I don't know what speakers you are using or what you mean by "flat." Dull? Quite a number of people feel that high-quality headphones outperform high-quality speakers in many cases, and outperform virtually any speakers of middle or lesser quality. The $400 speakers in my secondary music system don't sound as good as my $240 headphones, but the $3,000 speakers in my primary system do.

Inasmuch as you are getting satisfactory sound via headphones, it appears your deck is working satisfactorily-unless by rare coincidence a frequency aberration of your deck is off set by an opposite aberration of your headphones. However, there could be a problem in your receiver (or separate preamplifier and power amplifier) or speaker or your room's acoustics.

Perhaps you can improve the sound by judicious use of the tone controls or equalizer in your audio system or by engaging the loudness control.

(adapted from Audio magazine, Aug. 1992, HERMAN BURSTEIN)

= = = =