Sound Recordings

Introduction

Sound recordings are found almost everywhere and in a wide range of formats: wax or vinyl cylinders, LPs, 45s, 78s, 8-tracks, cassettes, and CDs. All formats are subject to deterioration over time; how quickly this happens is largely due to the ways in which they are handled, used, and stored.

Causes of Damage

Sound recordings can suffer chemical, mechanical, or physical damage.

Poor handling and repeated playing (except for CDs), especially on equipment that is dirty or in poor condition, are the main causes of damage. Extremes or fluctuations in heat and humidity can also be detrimental.

Oil and dirt from hands, dust, and debris can all lead to playability problems. Magnetic forces (from televisions, speakers, magnets, vacuum cleaners, etc.) that are too strong or too close may cause trouble for tapes.

Time and research have provided a good understanding of the long-term stability of most sound recording formats. CDs and other new media have not been around long enough to be carefully researched, and these are less well understood.

Handling

Wash hands to remove natural oils and dirt before handling sound recordings. Although it may be impractical, the best way to pick up recordings is to wear cotton, lint-free gloves.

Handle all recordings in disk format by the edge and centre hole. Pick up cassettes by the outer shells or cases, taking care to avoid contact with the openings or exposed tape.

Keep food, drink, and dust away from recordings; if they contaminate the equipment they could damage the media or disrupt their playability.

Store recordings upright (if they are laid flat they may warp), in a stable environment where heat and humidity remain constant and there is no prolonged exposure to strong light.

Keep tapes at least 7.5 cm (3 in.) away from magnetic sources and do not store them next to stereo speakers or under television sets.

CDs should be stored in plastic jewel cases and not in plastic or paper sleeves. For CDs that will be handled often, the cases should be made of polypropylene (polypropylene is recommended over polystyrene because it is less brittle and, therefore, less prone to crack).

Cleaning and Repair

To clean grooved recordings (CDs are not considered grooved recordings), use a soft, clean, lint-free cloth. Work in a circular fashion, following the grooves, starting at the centre and working out to the edge. Do not use alcohol-based cleaning fluids. For CDs, blow off debris with a compressed air duster or wipe them clean with a soft, lint-free cloth in a radial direction (think of the spokes of a bicycle wheel).

It may be possible to remove mould or mildew that has developed on a recording (e.g. if it has been stored in a damp place such as a basement or attic), but this can only be done by a professional. Likewise, if a recording has been damaged by magnetic forces, consult a professional conservator to retrieve or restore it.