8 track cartridge / NAB

8 track / NAB cartridge transfer

We can digitise and restore 8 track cartridges and the faster speed and higher quality NAB cartridges that were commonly used for jingles and short audio sections in radio stations through the 1970′s and 80′s until digital technology made these tape obsolete and expensive. We are happy to transfer 8 track to CD Audio as this is the most accessible audio storage medium but we are equally equipped and happy to digitise to higher resolution .WAV or BWAV files for archive and preservation purposes. We can also process to lossy  compressed audio files such as .MP3 and lossless compressed audio files such as the Flac format.

Cartridge problems

As 8 track and NAB cartridges use the same size and type of recording tape used on open reel to reel recorders many of the same issues can and do arise over time.

Mould growth if stored in damp or humid conditions can be a problem as can sticky shed syndrome and general oxide shedding. Fortunately these issues are treatable and most tapes can be recovered but this process is complicated by the endless loop design in the cassette shell.

The best way to recover problem tapes is to remove from the cartridge shell and play on a 1/4 inch reel to reel machine with a specially made repro head for the 8 track format.

Cartridge technical information

8 track and NAB cartridges use 1/4 inch analogue magnetic recording tape just like open reel tapes. This tape is joined as an endless loop with conductive tape between sections or splices for easy and quick access.