Hi

I' m an assistant at the university of Ghent and we would like to know what 's on the magnetic wires we found in our archives.

We have a wirerecorder of the model Peirce 55b serial number 1317. But before we try to play the wires (which we don't want to destroy) we would like to have as much information on the subject as possible (and if possible a scheme).

Thanks

Hi Steven, I haven't used a wire recorder but here's a couple of general sugestions. Check the recorder for smooth mechanical operation. It's an old machine, make sure it's lubricated where necessary (not too much), the brakes don't drag or catch and it has the correct back tension when playing. I've checked Riders manuals and there doesn't seem to be any service data there for your machine. If you don't have any yourselves perhaps someone else might be able to supply it. I could look for some information for other makes that might help but you might just have to make sure it's running smoothly. Then check the heads to ensure they're clean and rust free. Demagnetize them with a head demagnetizer. These are a coil with pole piece(s) that operates off the mains to produce a strong alternating magnetic field. With the recorder switched off, the energized demagnetizer is placed close to the heads and metal parts in the tape path and then slowly withdrawn so the field slowly reduces and clears any residual magnetism. Don't turn the power off the demagnetizer until it's well away from the recorder and move slowly and smoothly (or you'll magnetize the heads again). When you're satisfied the machine is working smoothly, connect the output to a modern tape (cassette?) recorder so you can dub the program off and only have to run it once. The quality of a cassette will be much better than the original wire recording. If you've got some other not so precious wire recordings, try the machine with one of these to see it's running OK and set the levels for the dubbing recorder. Then when you're satisfied run the mystery wires and record them for future use.
There's no guarantees but if you're careful they should play off OK. Just watch closely all the time and be ready to stop if there's any problem. Try not to stop the machine in the middle of a recording, it can strain the wire. Let it play right through in one go.
I hope this helps. Perhaps someone else can give extra advice. If there's no personal details on the tape and they prove of some historical worth can you please post a brief description of what they contain. I'm sure there are a number of us who would be interested in this sort of material. Good Luck, Don Black.

: Hi

: I' m an assistant at the university of Ghent and we would like to know what 's on the magnetic wires we found in our archives.

: We have a wirerecorder of the model Peirce 55b serial number 1317. But before we try to play the wires (which we don't want to destroy) we would like to have as much information on the subject as possible (and if possible a scheme).

: Thanks

: Hi Steven, I haven't used a wire recorder but here's a couple of general sugestions. Check the recorder for smooth mechanical operation. It's an old machine, make sure it's lubricated where necessary (not too much), the brakes don't drag or catch and it has the correct back tension when playing. I've checked Riders manuals and there doesn't seem to be any service data there for your machine. If you don't have any yourselves perhaps someone else might be able to supply it. I could look for some information for other makes that might help but you might just have to make sure it's running smoothly. Then check the heads to ensure they're clean and rust free. Demagnetize them with a head demagnetizer. These are a coil with pole piece(s) that operates off the mains to produce a strong alternating magnetic field. With the recorder switched off, the energized demagnetizer is placed close to the heads and metal parts in the tape path and then slowly withdrawn so the field slowly reduces and clears any residual magnetism. Don't turn the power off the demagnetizer until it's well away from the recorder and move slowly and smoothly (or you'll magnetize the heads again). When you're satisfied the machine is working smoothly, connect the output to a modern tape (cassette?) recorder so you can dub the program off and only have to run it once. The quality of a cassette will be much better than the original wire recording. If you've got some other not so precious wire recordings, try the machine with one of these to see it's running OK and set the levels for the dubbing recorder. Then when you're satisfied run the mystery wires and record them for future use.

: There's no guarantees but if you're careful they should play off OK. Just watch closely all the time and be ready to stop if there's any problem. Try not to stop the machine in the middle of a recording, it can strain the wire. Let it play right through in one go.

: I hope this helps. Perhaps someone else can give extra advice. If there's no personal details on the tape and they prove of some historical worth can you please post a brief description of what they contain. I'm sure there are a number of us who would be interested in this sort of material. Good Luck, Don Black.

: : Hi

: : I' m an assistant at the university of Ghent and we would like to know what 's on the magnetic wires we found in our archives.

: : We have a wirerecorder of the model Peirce 55b serial number 1317. But before we try to play the wires (which we don't want to destroy) we would like to have as much information on the subject as possible (and if possible a scheme).

: : Thanks