From: Jay Flemma <jflemma@mailbox.syr.edu>
Subject: Re: Phish Digest #613 
Reply-To: jflemma@mailbox.syr.edu
Organization: The Internet
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 15:29:20 GMT

     This is a response to the phellow who asked about some taping
  advice, particularly high speed dubbing.
     I've been taping shows since 1981, Phish since 1989.  I've also had
  extensive experience in taper sections for several bands and am the
  taper for a local sound company, so I hold myself to be somewhat
  knowledgable about taping and equipment.
     First I'd like to praise Dave Craig and Jamie Treworgy for posting
  some great rules for trading tapes that had to do with
  maximizing sound quality.  These are available in past digests and
  are particularly insightful abd accurate.  I'd also like to add that
  that last trade I did off the net was PARTICULARLY SUCCESSFUL.  All
  tapes delivered on both ends were A+ quality.  If "tape trade was in
  the dictionary, that last trade would be an illustration.  Praise my
  trading partner with great honors, etc.

     OK, some useful tips...
        1) NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, HIGH SPEED DUBB. NO EXCEPTIONS.
           Sound Qual deteriorates substantially.
        2) Try to keep levels between 0 and +2 on your level meter.

        3) Clean and demagnetize your deck every 7 - 10 tapes.
           This rule is CRITICAL.  I can't stress its importance enough.
        4) Keep tapes away from heat, cold, water and magnets.
           This means don't put tapes on speakers, computers TV's or
           even other components.

     These simple rules alone are enough to dramatically improve sound
  quality of one's collection.  Now for some nuances and intricacies...

        Apologies to those that have dubbing decks, but there are
  several major drawbacks to them.  The biggest is that MOST (not all,
  but most) DO NOT HAVE ADJUSTABLE LEVELS.  This is a critically
  important feature when trading tapes extensively.
         Also, two decks are almost always better than one.  When you
  force a machine to do twice as much as another, some corners must be
  cut to save space and keep the machines affordable.
        Now...dubbing decks are great to start out with.  Their durable
  you can get tons of use out of them, their affordable, and more 
  portable than two decks.  My first deck was an Onkyo dubbing deck
  on which I burned out two motors.  my good friend Steve Santay swears
  by his Denon dubber.
        However, for optimum sound quality, there is no question, two decks
  are the way to go.

        Moreover, try to get a deck with three heads.  Sound quality 
  improves dramatically since each head is performing an independant
  function.
   
        Finally, much of successful taping revolves around intangibles.
  Do the little things right, because little things add up to big
  improvements in sound qual.  Neglecting a step may cost you alot
  in sound quality, and even if you don't care, what about the guy
  your trading with?  Take pride in your work.  People sometimes call
  hardcore tapers "anal", but then when they hear our work product
  they realize its worth the extra effort.  (And the effort iinvolved
  really isn't all that strenuous and its quite fun!)

        Good Luck taping, I'll be psyched to see you on tour.

       One side note...Shelly has once again provided the spitiual
  leadership and insight (thats SPIRITUAL, sorry bout the spelling
  error)  we all need to remember.
       Too often I've seen one person cause a problem and ruin a good scene for evryone.  (Particularly on dead tour.)  I've had lousy times at big
  stadiums because of the ridiculous insensitivity and selfishness shown
  by a few.  Their antics are the one that get press, but you seldom
  hear about the good things deadheads do on tour.  Their overshadowed
  by the bad.  Shell hit the nail on the head, it all boils down
  to being CONSIDERATE and RESPONSIBLE.  Let's show these people
  how great both the band and its fans are.  I have the utmost in
  confidence in all of us.
        All of you take care and I'll see you...TOMORROW!!!!!
  As usual I remain...
          ...from the land where the oceans freeze...
                  Jay
Newsgroups: rec.music.phish