Head Cleaner

scooter · Nov 28, 2015

I have been using Head Red and Roll from Precision Motorworks for many years. I just ran out (a bottle lasts a long time) but he has shut down his operation for the time being. What does everyone else use besides isopropyl alcohol?

dminches · Nov 29, 2015

I use this:

http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/cleaners/specialty-cleaners/audiovideo-head-cleaner-407c/

c1ferrari · Dec 2, 2015

Hi,

On metal: reagent grade, anhydrous isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and reagent grade acetone (carefully).

Bruce B · Dec 2, 2015

Guess I'm the lone man out. I just use 99% Isopropyl alcohol on a Q-tip after "every" reel. Been doing it for decades!

c1ferrari · Dec 3, 2015

Acetone effectively removes SSS residue.
Don't ask how I know!

rockitman · Dec 3, 2015

Bruce B said:
Guess I'm the lone man out. I just use 99% Isopropyl alcohol on a Q-tip after "every" reel. Been doing it for decades!

Every reel ? Like every 30 minutes at 15 ips ?

Bruce B · Dec 3, 2015

rockitman said:
Every reel ? Like every 30 minutes at 15 ips ?

Yes..... every reel

It's a good habit to get into.

Edward Pong · Dec 3, 2015

Bruce B said:
Yes..... every reel

It's a good habit to get into.

I totally agree! Even if you do not "see" any residue, it will measure down.... so clean heads after every reel & demag after every listening session...

dminches · Dec 3, 2015

Edward Pong said:
I totally agree! Even if you do not "see" any residue, it will measure down.... so clean heads after every reel & demag after every listening session...

The whole demag question has many different opinions...

Bruce B · Dec 3, 2015

dminches said:
The whole demag question has many different opinions...

I usually demag about every 3-6 months, depending on the workload.

rockitman · Dec 3, 2015

Edward Pong said:
I totally agree! Even if you do not "see" any residue, it will measure down.... so clean heads after every reel & demag after every listening session...

what do you use to demag ?

rockitman · Dec 3, 2015

Bruce B said:
I usually demag about every 3-6 months, depending on the workload.

That's good to hear.

Bruce B · Dec 3, 2015

rockitman said:
That's good to hear.

I use the Han-D-Mag

rockitman · Dec 4, 2015

Bruce B said:
I use the Han-D-Mag

I have one....what's the best way to use it ? Hold it away from the head, turn it on...then slowly approach the head without touching it then retreat from the head slowly ? It makes me nervous using that thing.

Edward Pong · Dec 4, 2015

I find there is more noise when making duplicates if the heads are not demag routinely...
before making any recordings or duplicate tapes, I demag & calibrate the machines in that order......a must to get the best performance..

christensenleif@msn.com · Dec 4, 2015

but as I ve understood Todor, there is hardly anything on a Studer A80 that gets magnetized at all
my machines does hardly respond top the mag reader....as opposed to A810 or Tascam, Otari etc
best
Leif...

Bruce B · Dec 4, 2015

rockitman said:
I have one....what's the best way to use it ? Hold it away from the head, turn it on...then slowly approach the head without touching it then retreat from the head slowly ? It makes me nervous using that thing.

That's correct

scooter · Dec 5, 2015

Bruce B said:
Guess I'm the lone man out. I just use 99% Isopropyl alcohol on a Q-tip after "every" reel. Been doing it for decades!

I used to use 99% alcohol until I was turned on to head red n roll. I clean heads before each listening session.

c1ferrari · Dec 8, 2015

rockitman said:
I have one....what's the best way to use it ? Hold it away from the head, turn it on...then slowly approach the head without touching it then retreat from the head slowly ? It makes me nervous using that thing.

My Studer tech demonstrated degaussing technique for me, which featured direct contact between the head and plastic (?) tip of the Han-D-Mag probe.
Preceding audio alignment, the entire tape path is degaussed prior to running the cal tape.

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