A Perfect Splice In Less Than a Minute - EDITall Splicing Block, Scotch leader for reel to reel tape

https://reelhifi.com - *How to Splice a Leader to a Reel-to-Reel Tape - Using an EDITall splicing block and NOS clear splicing tape, you can achieve a gap-free, noiseless splice every time. Why Choose the EDITall Splicing Block?
The EDITall splicing block offers key advantages over modern splicing blocks:
*Precisely machined grooved track with concave channel
*Ultra-smooth surface for precise alignment and side to side movement in the groove
*Chamfered razor blade slots for clean cuts and razor blade alignment.
*Some S-3 models features an 81° cut, specifically designed for 4-track tape splicing.

Although it may look like I’m overlapping the tape, I’m not. This demonstration shows how you can slide the tape into the groove to ensure a perfect, seamless butt splice.

Tip: If you hear a click at the splice, your razor blade may need to be demagnetized

INSTRUCTIONS from the Editall Manual "Never try to remove the tape by peeling it out of the groove; you may ruin the tape by doing so! The proper way to remove tape from the groove is to grasp it by both hands at the ends of the block, pull the tape taut and snap it up and out of the groove."

HOW THE EDITALL BLOCK WORKS
The EDITaII Block is designed to grip standard recording tape firmly while you are cutting and splicing the tape. The groove in the block is slightly curved and the sides of the groove have tiny pro-truding dovetails machined in them.
When you press the tape into the groove, with the shinier side base side) Of the tape facing up, by running your finger over the tape the length of the block, the tape snaps into the groove and the tape edges are held under the tiny dovetails. The tape may then be slid in the groove, but it cannot move by itself.
Never try to remove the tape by peeling it out of the groove; you may ruin the tape by doing so! The proper way to remove tape from the groove is to grasp it by both hands at the ends of the block, pull the tape taut and snap it up and out of the groove. Repeated tests conducted by a nationally famous tape manu- facturer have proved that the EDITaII Block, properly used, does not damage tape in any way.

III. HOW TO CUT TAPE
The EDITaII Block is designed for cutting the tape with a single -edge razor blade, such as supplied with EDITaII Kits. Care must be taken that any cutting tool be sharp and be completely demagnetized. Therefore, if a simple, inexpensive, sharp and easily replaceable cutting tool such as a razor is used, whenever it becomes dull or is accidentally magnetized it should be discarded and replaced.

The S3 EDITaII Block has two cuts which guide the cutting blade. The diagonal cut is at an angle of 45 degrees to the horizontal and should be used in most cases with monaural recordings. The Multitrack cut, which varies from 83 to 87 degrees depending on tape width, is used when editing multitrack (2, 4, 8, 16, 24 track) recordings to minimize the audible effects of signal channel lead


What you need for a reel to reel tape splicing kit

1. EDITall S-3 5 1/2 inch splicing block
2. Edit Master brand Splicing tape (cream/transparent)
3. Demagnetized single edge .009 razor blade
4. Scotch 3M Leader and timing tape
5. Non-Marking Eraser

*It is very rare for any old stock splicing tape to work like new. The EDITMASTER brand used here is from Coast Recording in Los Angeles.
*The Scotch 3M leader and timing tape is 1.5 mils thick and has a stiffer composition that makes it easier to attach, and protects the recorded tape better.
*The EDITall brand spicing block has 3 essential benefits over splicing blocks sold today. It has an ultra smooth surface, chamfered razor blade slots and the S-3 has an 81° cut that is specifically designed to splice 4-track tapes.
*if you hear a click at the splice, it's likely that the razor blade needs to be demagnetized.