Question about Cassette Tapes for you Experienced

[Transistorized]

Why is it that when you record onto a cassette that sometimes in-between tracks you can hear a "ghost" image of the next song a few seconds before it plays?

Maybe you have noticed this already or maybe you haven't paid much attention to it. Its most noticeable with earphones at louder volume levels than what may be acceptable for your ears but it's there. Some tape recordings are more noticeable than others.

I have my own theory on this. I was thinking that since recording cassettes is a magnetic process that some of the recording "bleeds" over onto the other areas of the tape. The only thing that remains the same is that the faint "ghost image" of the song is always 2 seconds ahead of the original track when it occurs.

IDK. Have any of you noticed this and can you explain why it happens and what can be done to reduce this effect? Maybe a better deck like a Nakamichi Dragon? I have a JVC TC-W354 which was a 300 dollar purchase with Computer Calibration (Dolby B and C) so its not a cheap unit but I still can notice this phenomenon on occasion but I notice details like this more than your average Joe.

 

[crazygamer]

Hello,

This fainted ghost sound occurs on Chrome tapes on me, as i´ve used only boomboxes for recording that don´t record really well. When recording is done on higher tech cassette deck, then results are way better, their erase and write heads are just so much better. With recordings done on higher end decks, this fainted sound doesn´t occur.

 

[ford93]

It could also depend on the original recording of the song when it was mastered.

 

[Nickeccles]

This is common when recording on chrome & pushing the saturation of the tape to the limit!! It is known as 'Print Through' & as stated, you hear the track start only it's from one level down on the reel of cassette!!
It can also be the case with cheap mickey mouse tapes!!

I experience it a lot as I like to use the maximum dynamic range the Technics cassette deck & the tape can both muster together..............

It's nothing new but it is unusual to get this effect with portable ALC controlled recording level circuit as encountered on the majority of our portables
I hate auto level control which is why I use a high end Technics to make exemplary high quality recordings!!

This effect can often rear it's head on old tapes recorded many moons ago - & of course there is no 'cure'

It doesn't bother me, am all too aware of it possibly happening using the techniques I use when making my own recordings.............

 

[Lasonic TRC-920]

This is common when recording on chrome & pushing the saturation of the tape to the limit!! It is known as 'Print Through' & as stated, you hear the track start only it's from one level down on the reel of cassette!!
It can also be the case with cheap mickey mouse tapes!!

I experience it a lot as I like to use the maximum dynamic range the Technics cassette deck & the tape can both muster together..............

It's nothing new but it is unusual to get this effect with portable ALC controlled recording level circuit as encountered on the majority of our portables
I hate auto level control which is why I use a high end Technics to make exemplary high quality recordings!!

This effect can often rear it's head on old tapes recorded many moons ago - & of course there is no 'cure'

It doesn't bother me, am all too aware of it possibly happening using the techniques I use when making my own recordings.............

This is very interesting. Something i have wondered about since the early 80s. Thanks guys

 

[caution]

Seconded. Fascinating. Apparently you can undo the effect without hardly any effort. Groove echo is a thing too with LPs, when they put the grooves too close together or plate the masters improperly.