If you’re just making a few edits on open reel tapes, or attaching a leader to tops and tails, it won’t kill you to cut off a piece of leader tape from a spool. But there are times where I’m doing a lot of edits, such as repairing failed splices on post-baked stock or setting up several reels for a project. It’s an inefficient pain in the rear to stop, go to a different block, try to peel the tape from the spool, and grab scissors or razor or trust a dispenser to give a clean slice to work with. That’s not to mention the variable length or questionable angles that can be created this way. TME, a maker of editing supplies, sells their ubiquitous blue splicing tape with segments pre-die cut, so I ordered a 100 tab sample for 1/4-inch tapes. TME items come in double-sealed bags with freshness dates, but I’ve had rolls of their products last for years. Each AC1STB94 piece is a uniform 1.25-inch long, features clean 45-degree cuts, and dispenses easily. It’s not scientific, but I estimate I completed joins three to four times faster, not to mention much less splicing tape saved compared to the random length segments I make. I wish I had found this earlier, and I’m buying more.
Behind the Gear
Jim Williams: Behind the Gear with Audio Upgrades
by Mike Jasper
Jim Williams has spent much of his 56 years working with some of the biggest names in the music business, including Frank Zappa, John McLaughlin and Stevie Wonder. He's the owner of Audio Upgrades,...