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CDR Rules

Please record/burn CDs using the "Disk-at-Once" feature (aka "D.A.O."). If you don't understand what this phrase means, please e-mail me and ask. A quick way to tell if your machine is burning this way by default is if your recorded live discs are continuous, meaning without ANY blank spots appearing in the copies that are NOT in the masters. If you are getting either a 2-second gap (PC) or a 1/75th of a second gap (Mac), then you may not have D.A.O. enabled as you record.

Also, I am trying not to do too many cassette->CDR transfers in trades these days (just for now). If you do have a trade offer, please limit any requests for a cassette->CDR transfer to one per swap.

I generally like to trade for the bare discs, minus jewel cases.

If there is a brand that works exceptionally well with your burner, then by all means use it. BUT, since I've had some trouble with Kensington unlabeled (no etching on them) blank CDs recently, I would like to kindly request that these discs not be used in any trades. Any other discs seem to go well.

As with cassette trades, it is frustrating to have a short disc taking up space in the collection.  If you are offering, or I am requesting, a disc from your collection that is very short (under the old 63 minute mark, for example), please let me know.  I may choose another disc, or perhaps we can discuss the possibility of adding tracks.  I will, of course, extend the same courtesy.

In my case, I've found Smart & Friendly 80s and 74s to be very good with my Smart & Friendly burner (gee, what a surprise).  I try to use those when I can.  Currently, I have a supply of Fuji, Sony, Imation and TDK brand discs ... all of which seem to be doing fine.

Unless there are extenuating circumstances where you absolutely must do so, please do not apply any filtering or "no-noise" to a disc when running a dub.  If a disc's sound quality needs fine-tuning, please let me know what you feel it lacks, or has too much of, before you alter the sound.

Finally, and I hate having to say this, please do not offer me any titles which you know have gone through an MP3 stage. If the material has never been on a "known" bootleg title, then I may make an exception, but I would always prefer material that has never been through the compression/de-compression of the MP3 process.

I like information when possible, and sending JPGs or hard copies of art are the best methods.  Of course, a sheet with titles enclosed in the package with the discs is just fine, too.

Please not use CD-RWs, as my burner/computer CD-drive does not read them! Thanks.


Cassette Rules

Please use only Type II tapes (I've had the best luck with XLII, SA and FUJI DRII).  I would prefer that you avoid any tapes made in Taiwan, as I've had some bad experiences with them.  If a tape is a low generation master, it is probably best for us to discuss the use of a tape with a high quality shell, like the Maxell XLII, TDK SA-X or the BASF 353 CRII.

I have no preferences at all regarding mailing with or without cases, but I will mail without by default. Usually, I hold onto my J-cards and you hang onto yours.

Of course ... NO HIGH SPEED DUBS!  (Sorry to shout ... but I really need to stress that.)

Let me know if there is a "bad flip;" meaning that a song is cut or interrupted in the change from side A to side B of a tape.  I usually don't mind, but if the song happens to be the reason why I've requested a particular tape, it will allow me to choose something else from your list.

I try to mail regular 1st class mail when possible, but if you like to keep costs down we can agree to send 4th class.  Please pack well!