Whats the best way to "CLEAR" a tape?

[Lasonic TRC-920]

At the "Name Your Own Price" store, there are allot of tapes that are of high quality (Chrome) that have music on them.

What is the best way to clear them for re-recording?

Can you just record over them with no input?

Set a magnet on them?

Just tape over the music that is there?

 

[redbenjoe]

i dont know 'the best' way -
but have always taped over whats on the tape -- no problems ever --

dont forget to put a few layers of scotch tape over the cassette tabs

 

[MONOLITHIC]

Depending on the equipment and tapes you use, you might hear what you recorded over during quiet passages on metal bias tapes.

Because of that, that's a great question I always wanted an answer for.

 

[redbenjoe]

in case mono is right --

then -before you tape over the music -
let the entire tape run thru while recording nothing --
and put some tape over your mics

 

[docs]

Well recording over them theoretically should erase the tape as it goes through.
I think a good method is to select an input to record from and lower the volume for that input to zero if you have a unit that supports this. For eg. if you have a deck that has a record level from AUX then set it to zero and record the entire tape. This will be as good as making it blank and will not have any noise, humm or anything.

 

[Gluecifer]

This is what you need Chris!

Open her up and slide a tape through and she comes out the other side reborn and blank.

Even has two little tabs on the bottom, take one out and you only erase one side!

I use it all the time for when I pick up tapes that have been recorded on at home. Works great!



Rock On.

 

[oldskool69]

I've always used bulk tape erasers. I gurantee you won't have anything left after a few strokes with these babies. (Of course mine is also now broke.)

You can still buy the though. These were popular during the reel to reel era.

You can also make on using a 6v or 9v lantern battery and some bolts.