G'day Jim (et al,

The specific "baking" problem relates to a period (~ late '70s / early '80s) in which major tape manufacters used a beaut new, super flexible, coating (developed for video applications) and it worked really well ... then ... Unfortunately, it turned out to slowly hydrolise - and, unless stored in controlled, low humidity, conditions, it began to stick to the next layer of tape.

Even having a 'quick listen' to such a tape could destroy it, which is basically why:

GUEST, Intuitive Audio, on Date: 16 Jan 11 - 07:55 AM wrote:
"I have extrensive experience in pro studios and radio from the tape days, and know twhen to bake or not to bake and how to care for tapes of all ages and conditions..."

I don't know the bloke ... but that IS the story - especially with some very costly, studio master, tapes from the period.

I would not be game to casually play any important tape without consulting my local (Sydney, Australia) expert at "Archival Revival" ... or the experts at the National Film & Sound Archive, Canberra (with whom I have lodged important 1970s / ~80s reel to reel material).

Regards,

Bob