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[absolutkj]

Does anyone know where I can find a bulk eraser in NYC?!  I just bought 2 slightly used 456 2" reels and I want to bulk erase them before using on a 16 track session in a couple of weeks.  I'm not looking to buy a bulk eraser (in fact I think they are pretty huge and expensive), but all I want to do is bulk erase these two reels so I can use them without the worry of print thru from the previous recording on this tape.  

[SirDonut]

we have one at my job (midtown) left over from the computer tape storage days...if you get desperate.....    

[absolutkj]

Would you mind if I used it, that is, if I can't find anywhere else?  Thanks very much!

[Mike Cleaver]

Check with the engineering department at some of your local tv stations.
They may have one lying around from the tape days when 2" was used on VCR's.

[RMoore]

I seem to recall hearing if you don't have a good one / don't erase in the correct way, your tape gets a weird  'whoomp whoomp' sound going on under any new audio you record...(??)

[absolutkj]

I've heard this too.  It's caused by turning off the degauser while the tape is still in the magnetic field.  Still looking for one in this city...

[Mike Cleaver]

The best ones were the automated conveyer-belt types used in TV.
But you can use a hand held or desktop version if you do it correctly.
Turn the eraser on first.
Bring the reel on to the erasing surface and rotate the reel (or the hand held device around the surface of the reel in a circular motion a few times then slowly pull the reel away before turning off the power.
This should get rid of the thumps.

[rdolmat]

Quote:

where the hell do I find a bulk eraser?!

c:> del *.*

[Teddy G.]

Yes, I remember it well(I guess?)...

One engineer I worked with did many "tests" to determine how to best erase tape(Technically, I believe, a "realigning" of the oxide particles?) - several different types -- reel, cartridge, different reel sizes, different widths/thickness', different oxides, different tape-type/brand. Quite a process - too tiring to relate. Involved turning the eraser(An Electro Magnet - a nail, some enameled-wire and a battery, anyone?) on, passing the tape into then out of it's field, at a particular speed for particular distances, then turning off the eraser. Worked very well, though. ALL previous instructions from the makers of the erasers were completely wrong.

Finding an eraser(especially for 2" tape!). Geez... When investing in new technology, to say nothing of old technology, it is the "accessories" we forget about needing(Or, don't know about needing), huh..? Even in NYC..? These days..? There are alot of them around, getting moldier every year, in basements all over the world. Finding one? One that still works(When the on/off switch gets stuck, they, literally, melt!)? Your ONLY option may very well be the one above - "Bring it here, we still have one"(Or, find an old TV/Radio engineer? Everytime an engineer retires they take home -- "all of their stuff, and a little bit of theirs"(A direct quote, I'll never say from who.)... But, upon running somewhere to use theirs, what to do for the next "pass"? Probably won't matter, much, as the tape will shed it's oxide-life away after just a few passes, anyway... Sort've like trying to re-use a Post-It, note...

Did you know that "one pass" was the preferred method for tape, in it's day - then, if you "didn't get it", dump it(Mostly to some Sad Sack, garage recordist who couldn't afford it "new", but could buy it in the back pages of the trade magazines for a few bucks and then sucker it to "garage bands" doing demos?) the "big guns" went through the stuff at 30ips, yet! When it was really used for recording, it was never used(For real. "Reel"), by anyone other than the most elite -- first qualificaton being that they could afford the eraser -- then NEVER USE IT - HA!

Got your 2" splicing block? And the 2" splicing tape? Ever run a 2" splice, that "wasn't quite right" over the heads at 30ips, or in "fast rewind"?


Uhhhhh......

TG

[RMoore]

Teddy G. wrote on Sat, 18 February 2006 09:02

Yes, I remember it well(I guess?)... One engineer I worked with did many "tests" to determine how to best erase tape(Technically, I believe, a "realigning" of the oxide particles?) - several different types -- reel, cartridge, different reel sizes, different widths/thickness', different oxides, different tape-type/brand. Quite a process - too tiring to relate. Involved turning the eraser(An Electro Magnet - a nail, some enameled-wire and a battery, anyone?) on, passing the tape into then out of it's field, at a particular speed for particular distances, then turning off the eraser. Worked very well, though. ALL previous instructions from the makers of the erasers were completely wrong. Finding an eraser(especially for 2" tape!).

Teddy - perhaps you could relate to us the results of the tests eg: what is the best way to do it & why were the instructions from the manufacturers wrong?

I'm curious to know myself cuz I was considering picking up a bulk eraser,

Thnx,

RM

[bobkatz]

Mike Cleaver wrote on Fri, 17 February 2006 21:53

The best ones were the automated conveyer-belt types used in TV. But you can use a hand held or desktop version if you do it correctly. Turn the eraser on first. Bring the reel on to the erasing surface and rotate the reel (or the hand held device around the surface of the reel in a circular motion a few times then slowly pull the reel away before turning off the power. This should get rid of the thumps.

Unfortunately, it WON'T get rid of the thumps if you do it that way (we used to call "wolfners"). You have to continue to rotate evenly as you pull the reel away, and that is NOT easy to do. The object is for EVERY part of the reel to receive the same diminishing field EVENLY.

I still have my bulk eraser, but it's only good up to 1/2" tape, sorry.

BK

[Mixermend - John Godsland]

A world class specialist manufacturer of magnetic media erasers large and small - is actually situated only about a mile and a half from where I live......

Their Web site has a lot of useful information on all aspects of tape erasing:

http://www.weircliffe.co.uk/index.php