Magnetic tape splicing for reducing tape pack distortion

A pack of magnetic recording tape (200) comprises a splicing tape (220) which adheres a web of a magnetic tape (222) to a leader (224). The leader (224) attaches to a reel hub (226) around which the tape is to be wound. At least an intermediate portion of the splicing tape (220) has its ends oriented non-othogonally to the elongated dimension (227) of the magnetic recording tape. Preferably, the ends of the splicing tape are oriented to be substantially parallel to a helical scan data track (238) to be transduced (e.g., recorded or reproduced) on magnetic tape. In one embodiment, the ends (220E-8) of the splicing tape (220-8) have essentially the shape of the letter "Z". By providing splices that replicate a path that a transducing head (e.g., scanner head) will travel over the magnetic tape, very few data tracks are sacrificed due to the deformations or print-through. The tape pack (200) of the present invention can be utilized in a magnetic tape cassette or cartridge (240), which can be either a dual reel cartridge or a single reel cartridge.