Media Storage Do’s and Don’ts

Of all the objects that one can be forced to put into storage, audio/visual media (CD’s, vinyl records, tapes, etc.) is one of the most important things to store correctly. If you don’t know how to pack these materials in the right way, all your efforts to archive and preserve your old discs and tapes could end up being for naught! Heed the following quick list of media storage tips and facts to save your collection.

Records-

Ah, those classic vinyl records! Many of us have record collections that we cherish and plan on preserving as long as we can. And when it comes to vinyl we are lucky; stored correctly, those old LP’s can last many lifetimes.

All LP’s should be stored vertically and packed tightly in order to minimize warping during changes in temperature. As long as records are stored in this way, (and NEVER experience any direct sunlight) they can usually survive drastic temperatures without suffering damage.

Other than heat and sunlight, the other big enemy to those old LP’s is moisture. I’m sure that most of us who have been to a garage sale or two have looked through the record box (that hopefully isn’t sitting out in the sun!) and found unfortunate records stuck to their cases with mold as the glue. Yes, record albums seem to attract that sort of thing easily, so it is important to store them in the driest environment possible. For example, if storing them in a basement or garage, one would be wise to have them on high shelves where moisture is less likely to exist. Also, it can be helpful to try to use the most air-tight packing materials for them to keep the moisture out in the first place.

If any of the records you are putting in storage are still covered with the plastic seal from the factory, it is best to remove it, believe it or not. That plastic was originally put on only to guarantee that the record had never been played, and actually tends to tighten up more so on one side than the other over time and can thus lead to record warping.

CD’s-

CD’s and DVD’s should be stored vertically as well, and much like vampires, will almost instantly be destroyed by any direct sunlight. Additionally, actual store-bought CD’s are much heartier and have a much longer survival rate than burned CDR’s. And the same applies for DVD’s and DVD-R’s as well. Usually CD-R’s and DVD-R’s don’t have cases, so it is best to use those CD books for storage. Tip: not only should you not eat that little desiccant packet that happily resides in most of these cases when you buy it, you should also not remove it as it helps keep the moisture out.

Tapes-

Like the others, heat and moisture will do cassettes in, so keeping them in cases and away from dust and dirt are of obvious importance. Another important thing to remember about any form of cassette tape is that, unlike records or CD’s, they are magnetic, so keep all tapes away from magnets of any type (remember, speakers contain large powerful magnets!).

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