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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: rocksuitcase on July 12, 2005, 02:31:55 PM

Title: Would you erase DAT tape before re using? need quick response
Post by: rocksuitcase on July 12, 2005, 02:31:55 PM

I have a FUJI 3 hour DAT that I want to reuse.  All that was recorded on it is voices at a business meeting.  Should I bother erasing it in real time or just record over it?
my home deck is a Sont DTC-A6, I also have  D-8 but wouldn't use it to erase anything.

thanks
kyle

Title: Re: Would you erase DAT tape before re using? need quick response
Post by: jmerin on July 12, 2005, 02:43:28 PM

rewind the tape and the use a bulk eraser, which is a magnetic eraser that you would use to erase any tape

Title: Re: Would you erase DAT tape before re using? need quick response
Post by: rocksuitcase on July 12, 2005, 02:56:22 PM

hmmmm, 2 good points.  I used to own a bulk eraser, but I had to keep it in my garage out of range of the 2000 cassette tapes.
The point about it playing in the D-8 is very salient.  I have new tapes for tonight's show, so i may not try the used one tonight, but experiment with it before I bring it to a live gig.
Thanks guys

Title: Re: Would you erase DAT tape before re using? need quick response
Post by: BC on July 12, 2005, 03:51:31 PM

every time I tried to record over a used tape with my D8 I would get dropouts and diginoise.

Never did the erase beforehand though, maybe it would help but if you don't have time to test it I would use a new tape to be safe.

Title: Re: Would you erase DAT tape before re using? need quick response
Post by: rocksuitcase on July 13, 2005, 07:43:00 AM

Thanks you guys.  I did erase it, but didnt use it at the show last night ( Blues Traveler Poughkeepsie NY).  I decided to do an experiment with it for the digi drop outs here at home before I use it.  Mainly, I probably wont use it for anything "critical".
I also spoke with a DAT taper last night who says he has experienced the drop outs after erasing.
kind of sucks huh? ???  I bet when they invented DAT they thought the tapes were for more than one time use.

Title: Re: Would you erase DAT tape before re using? need quick response
Post by: Mojowill on July 13, 2005, 11:23:40 AM

new tape every time used tapes that are not filled with music go to the land fill

Title: Re: Would you erase DAT tape before re using? need quick response
Post by: mrdave on July 20, 2005, 04:16:55 PM

Greetings.
Have reused dat tapes many times before and have never had to bulk erase them.
I have taped over many of my dats and have never had any problems with them.

Of all of these tapes I reused, I have only reused them once. Have never tried to
rerecord over them a third time.

So, go right a head and feel free to try it!
Just be sure to repack your tapes before use.

dave