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Re: Dictabelt



I make copies from Dictabelts, which are discussed on my website,
www.soundsaver.com.

Steve Smolian

=========================
Steven Smolian    301-694-5134
Smolian Sound Studios
---------------------------------------------------
CDs made from old recordings,
Five or one or lifetime hoardings,
Made at home or concert hall,
Text and pics explain it all.
at www.soundsaver.com
=========================
----- Original Message -----
From: Bradley A. Scott <brscott@NMU.EDU>
To: <ARCHIVES@LISTSERV.MUOHIO.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2002 6:12 AM
Subject: Dictabelt


> In the course of examining a small collection of documents, I recently
came
> across a "Dictabelt".  This appears to be a flexible blue plastic sleeve,
> three or four inches in width and perhaps twelve inches in circumference,
> which is wrapped flat around two cardboard prongs inside a stiff cardboard
> mailing envelope.  Judging by the context of the collection, it probably
> dates from the late 1960's.
>
> A little preliminary research has told me that this was a sound recording
> format which was used before about 1970.  What I haven't found, yet, is
> where I might locate a machine capable of playing it.  I've noticed that
> some of the presidential libraries (JFK, LBJ, etc.) have transcripts of
> presidential Dictabelt recordings, so I presume that they have operating
> machines.  I'd like to locate one closer to home, though, if that's
possible.
>
> I'm also concerned that long storage in a stretched flat position may have
> creased the belt in such a way as to affect its playability.
>
> Does anyone on the archives list have any words of wisdom?  Is there any
> kind of readily available directory of institutions that keep operating
> playback machines for obsolete recording formats?  And has anyone had
> experience with transcribing such recordings, or converting them into more
> readily accessible formats?  Any information would be appreciated.
>
> Bradley A. Scott
> Reference librarian & archival student
> Northern Michigan University
> Marquette, Michigan, USA.
>
> A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!
>
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>
> Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>

A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!

To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.muohio.edu
      In body of message:  SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
                    *or*:  UNSUB ARCHIVES
To post a message, send e-mail to archives@listserv.muohio.edu

Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html

Problems?  Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>