FAQ’s

Q: My records are full of annoying clicks, ticks and pops. Is it possible to remove them?
A: Yes, certainly a large proportion can be eliminated.
Q: My cassette tape is badly damaged is it possible to repair it?
A: Usually yes, however it does depend on how badly the tape is crushed or stretched. Sometimes small parts need to be cut out. Likewise reel to reel tapes can also be repaired, damaged tape removed, old splices repaired, and the audio quality greatly improved.
Q: My reel to reel tapes have not been played for decades, will the recordings still be playable.
A: This depends on the environment in which they have been stored. Sometimes tape will shed its magnetic coating when attempts are made to unwind it. However we have specialist ovens for baking the tape at a constant low temperature for a long period, this usually allows enough time for the recordings to be played back and the audio material transferred into a digital format.
Q: My recordings have high levels of electronic background noise. Is it possible to remove it?
A: Background noise such as air conditioning plant, RF interference, TV oscillators etc are broadband noise. With modern software techniques this noise can be sampled and reduced considerably.
Q: I live outside the UK, are your services still available to me
A: Yes, your tapes/records will need to be sent by international courier. We will return the tapes/records in the same way – there will be an extra charge for this carriage, please contact us for more information.
Q: What about copyright
A: Lost Sounds will not undertake any practice that is illegal and that involves the duplication of protected material. However it is quite legal to make a single copy of material that is owned by an individual for their own use. A declaration of ownership and intent will be required to be filled in and signed upon the placing of any order.
Q: Some of my recorded audio is too slow or too fast, can you correct that.
A: Yes. If a recording was made on battery operated equipment, or the tape capstan was worn, or mains voltage fluctuated, it is possible to correct speed variation. Likewise there are many 78s, so called, that were not recorded at 78 rpm, some were recorded as low as 70 rpm and some as high has 90 rpm – however our equipment is capable of dealing with these speed variations.
Q: Will you send back the original recordings and what about insurance cover?
A: Yes, all original tapes and records will be returned. We advise you send your recordings to us via Royal Mail Special Delivery. We will return tapes and CDs by Royal Mail Special Delivery Service (our normal postage service) however we can organise a courier service, at extra cost if requested.
Q: Can you send more then one CD copy of my material?
A: Yes, please state on your order form your exact requirements, all CD’s are high quality discs especially manufactured for archival storage, these are used as standard please see our price list for details.
Q: How do I know the playing time of my tape?
A: Please see the chart below:

Q: My records are full of annoying clicks, ticks and pops. Is it possible to remove them?

A: Yes, certainly a large proportion can be eliminated.

Q: My cassette tape is badly damaged is it possible to repair it?

A: Usually yes, however it does depend on how badly the tape is crushed or stretched. Sometimes small parts need to be cut out. Likewise reel to reel tapes can also be repaired, damaged tape removed, old splices repaired, and the audio quality greatly improved.

Q: My reel to reel tapes have not been played for decades, will the recordings still be playable?

A: This depends on the environment in which they have been stored. Sometimes tape will shed its magnetic coating when attempts are made to unwind it. However we have specialist ovens for baking the tape at a constant low temperature for a long period, this usually allows enough time for the recordings to be played back and the audio material transferred into a digital format.

Q: My recordings have high levels of electronic background noise. Is it possible to remove it?

A: Background noise such as air conditioning plant, RF interference, TV oscillators etc are broadband noise. With modern software techniques this noise can be sampled and reduced considerably.

Q: I live outside the UK, are your services still available to me?

A: Yes, your tapes/records will need to be sent by international courier. We will return the tapes/records in the same way – there will be an extra charge for this carriage, please contact us for more information.

Q: What about copyright?

A: Lost Sounds will not undertake any practice that is illegal and that involves the duplication of protected material. However it is quite legal to make a single copy of material that is owned by an individual for their own use.

Q: Some of my recorded audio is too slow or too fast, can you correct that?

A: Yes. If a recording was made on battery operated equipment, or the tape capstan was worn, or mains voltage fluctuated, it is possible to correct speed variation. Likewise there are many 78s, so called, that were not recorded at 78 rpm, some were recorded as low as 70 rpm and some as high has 90 rpm – however our equipment is capable of dealing with these speed variations.

Q: Will you send back the original recordings and what about insurance cover?

A: Yes, all original tapes and records will be returned. We advise you send your recordings to us via Royal Mail Special Delivery. We will return tapes and CDs by Royal Mail Special Delivery Service (our normal postage service) however we can organise a courier service, at extra cost if requested.

Q: Can you send more then one CD copy of my material?

A: Yes, please state on your order form your exact requirements, all CD’s are high quality discs especially manufactured for archival storage, these are used as standard please see our price list for details.

Q: How do I know the playing time of my tape?

A: Please see the chart below:

Tape Length       Spool Size      15ips          7.5ips          3.75ips         1.875ips

600 feet                       5″              8 mins        16 mins       32 mins        64 mins

1200 feet                     7″           16 mins        32 mins       64 mins      128 mins

1800 feet                 8.25″         24 mins        48 mins       96 mins      192 mins

2500 feet                 10.5″         33 mins        66 mins     132 mins      264 mins

3600 feet                 12″             48 mins      96 mins      192 mins       384 mins