Wow (recording) - Tape Recorders

Tape Recorders

A similar problem can occur with tape recorders. The changes in frequency are caused by irregular tape motion during recording or playback. For example, a change in the angular velocity of the capstan, or dragging of the tape within an audio cassette shell. The terms "wow and flutter" are often referred to together, flutter being a higher-rate version of wow.

Scrape Flutter - a high frequency flutter of above 1000 Hz - can sometimes occur from the tape vibrating as it passes over a head, as a result of rapidly interacting stretch in the tape and stiction at the head. It adds a roughness to the sound that is not typical of wow & flutter, and damping devices or heavy rollers are sometimes employed on professional tape machines to prevent it. Scrape flutter measurement requires special techniques, often using a 10 kHz tone.

A typical modern cassette recorder may have a wow and flutter specification of 0.08%.

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