THE PROCESS
Transfer Cassette Tapes to CD:
Audio cassettes were good in their day, but were never intended as long-term sound storage devices. With this in mind, your valuable recordings would benefit from being transferred now, before it is too late. They will certainly not improve with age!
Cassette tapes come in various lengths, commonly 60 mins (C60), 90 mins (C90) and 120 mins (C120), although other lengths can be encountered. Transfer from a C60 will comfortably fit onto one CD (max 80 mins), whilst full C90 and C120 tapes will exceed the capacity of a single CD, so will be transferred onto two CDs and returned to you in a double CD jewel case.
Sticky Shed Syndrome
Generally speaking, most cassettes can be restored fully without any problems. Occasionally, however, tapes can suffer from jamming, stretching and tangling-up. Moreover, older tapes can be afflicted with a problem known as 'Sticky Shed Syndrome' (SSS) which causes serious wow and flutter, and can in extreme cases, make the tape unplayable. As the name implies, the tape 'sheds' its magnetic particles in a sticky mess onto anything it comes into contact with along the tape transit path, namely the record and playback heads, and the pinch-rollers. SSS can be temporarily but effectively reversed by a carefully controlled baking process at 50 degrees C for 12 hours in our dedicated on-site laboratory oven. This process allows the recorded information to be transferred to CD before the tape reverts back to its original condition.
If you suspect any of these problems with your cassettes, do not attempt to play them. Send them to us for free assessment, and we can advise on the next move.
Audio cassettes are played either on an industry standard Studer A710 or a Yamaha KX580 deck, allowing for all Dolby NR options - B, C and S prior to digital restoration and transfer to CD.
STUDER A710
The Studers are formidable machines and were built to last. Serviced by Thear Technology Limited, they sonically outperform other tape decks with ease and will extract every last detail from your precious cassette tapes.
Broadband hiss and noise levels are reduced or removed during the transfer process.
As standard service, individual tracks are separated to give full track skip/search functions. CD text is added for convenience, and your disc is returned to you in one (or two) CD jewel case(s). The transfer cost includes on-CD printing and a bespoke cover (front and back CD inserts) with full track listing. Alternative file formats (WMA, .mp3) can also be accommodated if preferred.
For non-copyright transfers, or if you own the copyright, any number of duplicate CDs can be produced - see Prices page for details.
Contact Us to discuss your requirements.
