Keep the tape heads, metal guides, capstan and every tape-contact surface clean. Inspect them before a listening session, and clean as soon as residue or shedding appears. The exact frequency depends on the tape and recorder.

Inspect before each session and after any suspect tape. Some shedding formulations require cleaning as often as every hour, while clean modern tapes may require less. Follow your machine and tape manufacturer’s instructions.

Switch off and disconnect the recorder. Expose the head block only as the manual describes. Use a lint-free applicator or suitable swab with a manufacturer-approved head-cleaning fluid; some manuals permit alcohol on metal heads. Wipe gently without scraping or touching head gaps with sharp tools. Allow surfaces to dry before use.

Do not assume it is safe. Strong alcohol and unsuitable solvents can harm some rubber formulations, adhesives and plastics. Use the roller cleaner specified by your machine or roller manufacturer, or ask a specialist. Keep solvents away from painted and labelled surfaces.

Inspect accessible metal tape-contact surfaces and clean them using the method specified in the service documentation. Remove residue gently and avoid bending or shifting guides and tension arms. Do not lubricate tape-contact surfaces.

Not without model-specific service instructions. Many decks have sealed or sintered bearings and are not intended for routine owner lubrication. The Revox B77 manual expressly says not to oil that recorder.

The end of the recording is at the outer layer of the wound reel. A tails-out reel is rewound to the start before playback, normally by placing the reel on the supply side for the rewind operation. Verify threading and direction using the machine’s manual.

Adjacent tape layers can magnetically imprint faint signals, known as print-through. Tails-out storage normally puts the echo after the intended signal, where it is less noticeable than a pre-echo. It does not prevent print-through from forming.

Use a short length of purpose-made, low-adhesive hold-down tape on the reel flange or hub as appropriate, avoiding adhesive contact with the recorded tape. Colour conventions such as blue for tails-out and red for heads-out are not universal; label the box clearly.

Handle reels by their centre hub and flange edges, with clean dry hands. Avoid touching the magnetic coating or squeezing the flanges into the tape pack. Keep the tape off tables and floors.

Non-magnetic leader at the start or end makes threading easier and may protect recorded material during handling. Proper splicing tape and a compatible splicing block are for repairing clean, stable tape joins. Untrained splicing of irreplaceable material should be avoided.

Possible causes include unsuitable winding tension, reel misalignment, poor brakes, worn guides or a damaged reel. An uneven or stepped pack can crease the tape. Stop and inspect rather than forcing repeated high-speed winding.

Aim for a cool, clean, stable, relatively dry environment. The Library of Congress suggests about 35–40% relative humidity for home collections; archival recommendations vary by material and intended storage duration. Avoid fluctuating heat and high humidity.

Store reels upright on their edges in protective boxes with suitable hub support, on sturdy shelves. Keep them away from radiators, damp cupboards, sunlight, dust and vibration.

Strong magnetic fields can affect recordings. Keep reels away from powerful magnets, speaker motors, transformers and equipment with significant stray fields.

Some ageing tape binders absorb moisture and become tacky, producing shedding, squealing or transport drag. Continuing playback can damage the tape and contaminate the recorder. Specialist treatment may allow temporary recovery for transfer; it does not reverse chemical deterioration.

No. Do not play or attempt household cleaning of contaminated or water-damaged tapes. Isolate the recording and consult a qualified magnetic-media conservator.

Potentially, when the manufacturer recommends it and residual magnetism is suspected or measured. A suitable demagnetiser used incorrectly can magnetise parts or damage equipment and recordings. The process is best performed by a trained technician if you are unfamiliar with it.

Follow the demagnetiser and recorder manuals exactly. Conventional wand techniques involve switching on well away from the deck, slowly approaching permitted metal parts, then withdrawing slowly before switching off at a distance. Do not assume all modern heads and components are compatible.

Speed instability, intermittent channels, scraping or squealing, tape wandering, poor brakes, cracked belts, worn rollers, noisy switches or recurring deposits warrant inspection. Avoid adjusting heads or transport geometry by trial and error.

Not without appropriate reference tapes, measurement tools and technical training. Wrong alignment can reduce playback quality and potentially compromise recording compatibility.

No. Confirm the deck supports 15 inches per second, the correct half-track stereo head format, tape width, reel/adaptor setup and matching NAB or IEC/CCIR equalisation. Some tapes are supplied tails-out and must be rewound before playback.

Inspect reels and the tape pack, confirm correct speed and equalisation, look for transport residue, verify safe threading and the correct reel retainers or NAB adapters. Stop at once if the tape catches or sheds.

Keep a bright inspection lamp, suitable non-metallic swabs, lint-free cleaning materials, machine-approved cleaner, a non-magnetic mirror, leader tape, proper splicing supplies and clearly labelled storage boxes.

Remove reels from the recorder, store them in boxes, protect the deck from dust, disconnect power and avoid damp or hot locations. For long storage, have old machinery inspected before returning it to service.