Crosstalk

When separate signals are recorded on two or more channels of magnetic tape, or any other medium, the signal on one channel may be picked up during playback on another channel. This effect is called crosstalk or leakage.

Because of the close spacing of channels on tape, recorded signals cannot be completely separated during playback (even with the small space between the positions of the channels on tape), and thus some crosstalk is inevitable. However, its strength should be at least 60 dB less than that of the signal being monitored directly from a channel.

See: Separation. Compare: Cross-Fade, Dropout, Print-Through, Spill.