How to Demagnetize Tape Heads

Regular demagnetization of your tape deck helps prevent cassettes from unraveling during playback.

Tape heads are the electronic components inside a tape deck that read the recorded analog audio signal on the magnetic tape, whether it is a reel-to-reel or cassette deck. Over time, the tape heads can become magnetized from the passage of the tape through the deck. This causes playback problems, affects sound quality and can lead to tangled tapes inside the deck. Use a hand-held or cassette demagnetizer to remove the magnetic charge from your tape heads in a few minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Tape deck demagnetizer

Instructions

1. Turn off the tape deck and remove the tape reels or the cassette, depending on your model.

2. Move all magnetic recording tape at least 5 feet from the tape deck before starting the demagnetizer to eliminate the risk of erasing your recordings.

3. Switch on the demagnetizer and pass it left to right and back again over the tape deck heads for 30 seconds. If using a cassette demagnetizer, insert the cassette into the tape deck and press the "Play" button to run the demagnetizer for 30 seconds, then eject.

Tips & Warnings

• Although cassettes and tape decks are becoming rare, demagnetizers are available at electronics and stereo stores.

References

• SoundFirst: Cleaning and Demagnetizing Tape Recorders and Duplicators
• US Recording: Tape Head Demagnetizers, Tape Degaussers and Bulk Tape Erasers