Digital Copycat

A problem we are experiencing ever increasingly with older open reel studio tapes, particularly from the 1970s and '80s. The problem occurs because the audio tapes have absorbed moisture over time. The reels of tape deteriorate because of a breakdown in the binder (the glue) that holds the oxide atoms on the tape. The binder contains polyurethane, which soaks up water and causes the urethane to rise to the tape's surface. This problem is known as the 'sticky-shed syndrome'. Short strands of urethane were most commonly used in tapes (until it was discovered that middle-sized strands are better) and were good at absorbing moisture.