Servicing

All tape machines are adjusted by the manufacturer to give best results with a particular type of magnetic tape. For recording and archival processing collecting centres should only use one of the brands recommended by the manufacturer.

The heads of tape machines should be regularly checked and thoroughly cleaned of tape dust and particles by means of cotton swab sticks dampened with isopropyl alcohol, methylated spirits or one of the proprietary cleaners produced for this purpose. Heads will also benefit by being thoroughly demagnetised from time to time with the devices manufactured for this purpose.

Perhaps the most critical aspect in the proper functioning of tape machines is that recording and replay heads should always be parallel to each other and, ideally, perpendicular to the tape. As it is all too easy for heads to get out of alignment, the only safeguard for collecting centres without technical staff is to have all their tape machines professionally serviced at regular intervals.