I’m talking about the old TDK, Memorex and BASF cassette tapes that I used to use for 4-track cassette tape recording on my Tascam Porta 05 multi-track recorder. I mean, just taking off the outer plastic cover of one of these blank cassette tapes excited me and made me want to start recording as soon as possible.
I might not have had a great idea in mind at the moment of unveiling the tape, but I knew I was opening something (the tape) special that needed immediate attention. Its funny how we can associate certain smells with certain activities.
These new tapes, as chemical smelling as they were once the plastic had been removed, still gave a sense of a brand new beginning – a way to start over with a more polished outcome.
Anyway, due to that new tape smell and the lack of scratches on the case, I knew this tape was gold and I’d better treat it as such, which I did. I immediately wrote my name on the tape and continued to write the names of each song (or instrumental idea) I attempted to record on the tape sleeve,
Some of these tapes are missing today, but I can still smell that new tape smell, I don’t think I will ever forget it. I think I will buy a package of brand tapes just to have some on-hand.
I never became capable of recording anything truly amazing when speaking of the production quality, but I still miss the days of 4-track recording immensely.
Until Next Time,
Featured Image: One of my Memorex cassette tapes – awesome memories…
