Twenty Important Cassette Recording Guidelines
Reprinted by permission of Synertek Systems Corp. © 1979 Synertek Systems Corp.
- Use high quality tape (Maxell UD or equivalent).
 - Use shortest tapes possible. You can shorten tapes to several minutes in length if you enjoy splicing.
 - Use shielded cable between your computer and the cassette recorder.
 - Keep heads and pinch rollers clean.
 - Keep heads aligned for tape interchangability.
 - Avoid recording too close to beginning of tape.
 - Make sure cassette is properly seated in recorder.
 - If you have trouble with a cassette try another. You can have a bad spot on tape or a warped cassette.
 - Highest setting of tone control is usually best.
 - A dirty recorder volume control can cause tape dropouts.
 - Make sure cassette connection plugs make good contact.
 - Rewind cassettes before removing them from recorder.
 - Store cassettes in dust-proof containers.
 - Avoid exposing cassettes to heat or magnetic fields.
 - Before recording, wind cassette to one end and fully rewind.
 - Cassette recorders will give you problems once in a while (They don't like certain cassettes, etc.). If one gives you problems most of the time replace it.
 - Make sure that MIKE plug is connected before recording. On most recorder the TAPE light will glow while recording.
 - You may have to record with the EAR plug out for some tape recorders.
 - Always use AC adapter with recorder for best results.
 - When a tone control is available, adjust it to the highest possible setting (maximum treble).