u/Affectionate-Rock42o

Here is a shot of some of the collection we will work with: R&B, Soul, Blues titles from a seller based in New Orleans.

Hi everyone,

I’m a PhD candidate in Music Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and the founder of PopMusicology. My dissertation research, Taped Entanglement, focuses on the materiality and archaeology of cassette culture.

I’ve recently secured funding (via the Haskins and Music Department Grants) to launch a 6-week Summer Research Residency focused on the archival, cataloging, and digitization of my personal collection of over 1,100 cassette tapes.

The Project: We’ll be establishing a standardized signal path (utilizing Sony TC-WE825S decks and professional A/D conversion) to create high-fidelity digital masters while documenting the physical metadata (tape formulas, sleeve notes, tactile history) of the collection.

The Role:

• 6-week commitment (Summer 2026).
• $800 Research Award provided.
• Hands-on experience with analog media, archival standards, and digitization workflows.
• Located in University City, Philadelphia.

If you’re a fan of "slow media," musicology, or the technical side of hi-fi preservation, I’d love to have you on board.

How to Apply: I’ve set up a brief Google Form to collect info and interests. You can find the call and the form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKQKnUYpkswCfAoEXNYt891KmQSgsZWfCH86byEPBR0xHZTg/viewform

Feel free to AMA about the methodology or the collection in the comments!

Best, Kwame

Here is a shot of some of the collection we will work with: R&B, Soul, Blues titles from a seller based in New Orleans.

Hi everyone,

I’m a PhD candidate in Music Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and the founder of PopMusicology. My dissertation research, Taped Entanglement, focuses on the materiality and archaeology of cassette culture.

I’ve recently secured funding (via the Haskins and Music Department Grants) to launch a 6-week Summer Research Residency focused on the archival, cataloging, and digitization of my personal collection of over 1,100 cassette tapes.

The Project: We’ll be establishing a standardized signal path (utilizing Sony TC-WE825S decks and professional A/D conversion) to create high-fidelity digital masters while documenting the physical metadata (tape formulas, sleeve notes, tactile history) of the collection.

The Role:

• 6-week commitment (Summer 2026).
• $800 Research Award provided.
• Hands-on experience with analog media, archival standards, and digitization workflows.
• Located in University City, Philadelphia.

If you’re a fan of "slow media," musicology, or the technical side of hi-fi preservation, I’d love to have you on board.

How to Apply: I’ve set up a brief Google Form to collect info and interests. You can find the call and the form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdKQKnUYpkswCfAoEXNYt891KmQSgsZWfCH86byEPBR0xHZTg/viewform

Feel free to AMA about the methodology or the collection in the comments!

Best, Kwame