• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Bulk erase problem

jviss

jviss

Well-Known Member
Greetings,

I have a hand-held Realistic bulk eraser, that I've had success with previously. Today I attempted to erase a 7" reel of Quantegy 406, and I ended up with a low frequency "bump" in the tape.

My technique is to hold the tape and eraser at both arms' length apart, turn on the eraser, bring them together by sliding the eraser onto the reel; rotating the reel at least 360º; sliding it off, and not releasing the power button until they are at both arms' length apart again.

I tried, then, using the tape deck's erase head by recording all 4 tracks at once with no input, but the bump audibly remains.

I'm disappointed, since this is my best tape stock!

Any pointers or ideas appreciated.

Thanks!

jv
 
Register to hide this ad
Put the eraser on the tape, use a sheet of paper to protect that fancy metal reel or special plastic reel.

Turn the bulk eraser on and move it over the reel for 10-20 seconds. Do not turn off the unit while you flip the reel over and repeat the movement over the reel.

With the unit still on, move it slowly away from the reel to about 3-4 feet and turn it off.

Let us know if this works. It is the instructions (roughly) for a small professional unit.
 
I use a realistic bulk eraser too. I set my tape on a table, then holding the eraser arms with away (5 feet maybe) I turn it on put it on the reel and go around in circle then away. I found I had to do that twice on both sides of a 10" reel to get it dead quiet and I always play part of the reel to make sure I didn't mess up.
 
I'm more worried about the fact that the bump remains after recording the tape with no signal. Have you played another tape since the incident?
 
jancumps said:
I'm more worried about the fact that the bump remains after recording the tape with no signal. Have you played another tape since the incident?
Click to expand...

jancumps> is this concern based on the erase head NOT removing to 'bump'?

>MY< method is the same - with 3-4 rotations BUT when 'removing' the eraser, I slowly raise it away from the reel while still rotating rather than sliding eraser off an edge.
IF you're stopping the rotation and sliding the eraser off an edge THAT may be the cause of the bump.
 
EchoWars said:
Define 'bump'. At length. Be specific.
Click to expand...
Please do. I have no idea what you are referring to here. Do you mean a Popping Sound or a rumble or something else?

FYI - Bulk erasers never 100% completely erase a tape. But they should remove about 90% of the sound from most non-metal and non-chrome tapes. It is up to your erase head to do the rest of the job. But they do help to lower the level of background noise when a tape is recorded over.
 
"Bump" defined.

By "bump" I mean a low frequency pulse that appears at about the rate that the supply reel is revolving. The level is about -4 Vu.

I can't completely remove it with the eraser, but I can move it around, it seems, or reduce or increase the amplitude.
 
If the erase head can't get it, then the tape is losing contact with the head(s) as it passes. This can mean improper tape tension (for whatever specific reason), or damaged tape.

I've bulk erased tape in the past, and from time to time I guess I got careless and/or in a hurry, and left artifacts on the tape. A second pass with the eraser takes care of it, but regardless of what the bulk eraser does, the erase head should clean it up. If it doesn't, my first thought is I've got a duff reel of tape.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom