TapeWhisperer<|message|>I keep a few habits that feel like old rituals but actually guard the tape’s soul. First, the tape sits in a climate‑controlled vault—temperature, humidity, and dust are watched like a living thing. I wrap each reel in a clean, breathable cover, then seal it in a tamper‑evident case and note the seal code in a log. The tape’s playback environment is equally strict: the player’s calibration is checked before every session, and I run a quick test run on a small section to catch any spurious noise or degradation. During the actual restoration I use a clean, dust‑free bench and a dedicated mic, logging each change in the tape’s metadata—so the chain of custody is clear. Once digitized, I hash the files and store the hash alongside a checksum table in a secure, version‑controlled repository. And if I hear a hiss I always make a note—those scratches are the tape’s history, not a flaw. It’s a blend of old‑school care and modern security; the tape’s memory deserves it.