A.3 Turntable Use
Wow
Wow refers to changes in pitch caused by variations in the playback speed. It can be caused by not backtracking enough when cueing a record, so the record wows as it builds up to speed. Wow can also be caused by record or turntable defects. In any case, wow should never be heard on the air.
A.4 Reel-to-Reel Audio Tape Recorders
Audio Tape Speeds
Most professional tape recorders can record at different speeds. Faster speeds make better quality recordings. The most common speeds are 7 1/2 IPS (inches per second), and 15 IPS. Care must be taken to play back at the same speed that the recording was made or unwanted effects, like these, can occur.
Original Recorded Sound
Record at 7 1/2 IPS Playback at 15 IPS
Record at 15 IPS Playback at 7 1/2 IPS
A.5 Reel-to-Reel Recorder Use
Crosstalk
All stereo and multi-track recording heads have guard bands-spaces between each track that help the signals not to spill over. Crosstalk occurs when this feature malfunctions and the signal from one track is picked up simultaneously with the signal from an adjacent track.
Recorder/Player Compatibility
Tapes recorded on a stereo recorder can be played back on a multitrack recorder and vice-verse, but because a stereo recorder records in two directions (on side A and side B) and a multitrack recorder records all its tracks in one direction, playback of some of the tracks may be backwards on a different recorder.
Print-Through
Print-through is the transfer of magnetic signal on one layer of tape to an adjacent layer. It is most audible when one layer contains a very loud sound and the adjacent layer contains a soft sound. Digital tape is also susceptible to print-through, but the digital system simply ignores it.
Drop-Out
Drop-out is caused by a defect in the oxide coating which causes the signal to be improperly recorded, or not recorded at all. Therefore, it can be a result of poor manufacturing, or caused by flaking of the oxide coating due to heavy use or abuse of the tape.
Selective Synchronization (Sel Sync)
Monitoring playback on one track while recording on another, audio can get out of sync because there is a small distance between the play and record heads. Sel sync (selective synchronization) makes a record head also act as a play head so there is no delay between tracks. Play the examples below.
First Track Recorded
Second Track Recorded Without Sel Sync
A.7 Casmacrote Recorder Use
Leader Tape
A short leader tape is attached at each end of an audio tape. When recording onto cassettes, it’s important to remember the leader tape, because if you're at the very beginning of the cassette, the actual recording will not begin for a few seconds, until you are past the leader tape.
A.10 Tape-Based Digital Recorders
Recording on DAT Versus Analog Tape
A.12 Making Edits
Incorrectly and Correctly Spaced Splices
Beginning audio tape editors often encounter problems with their first few splices. These are usually overcome with practice and experience, but it's not uncommon to see splicing errors in manipulating the splicing tape itself and in manipulating the audio tape.