[BC] Getting the Commercials on

[Thomas G. Osenkowsky]

>"spliced ??   What's that ??

Splicing was a method by which one could edit audio recorded on magnetic
tape. Splicing tape, usually white in color, was used to join two pieces of
magnetic tape together. On a reel-to-reel tape deck one would play the tape
until you heard that which you wished to edit out. You would slowly turn by
hand to the first instance of the sound, use a light colored grease pencil
(common colors were yellow and white) to mark that spot over the playback
head. You would then advance the tape until you heard the first instance of
the audio you wished to incorporate into the final product. You would
likewise mark that spot as before, unreel enough slack of tape to allow both
marks to be placed on a splicing block. The latter is approximately six
inches long and has an inner rail into which the magnetic tape fits. You
would locate the first mark and, cautiously using a razor blade, cut the
tape either perpendicular or at an angle. Repeat this for the other mark.
If you wished a pause between spliced sections, you can insert a piece of
leader or blank tape, use the splicing tape on the non-recorded side to
joining the sections together. Ensure they do not physically overlap. You
could also edit in audio from another length of tape using the same method.

Today, we use audio editors on computers. The principle is the same. Edits
on the computer are perpendicular, not angular as was popular with tape
splicing. Depending on the audio material, there is an audible difference.

Tape splices were also found on tape cartridges (carts), audio delay loop
tapes and 8-track consumer tapes.

Tom Osenkowsky, CPBE