Frequently Asked Questions

 The Reusable Altered Climate Preservation Enclosure System (RACPES) is a patent pending design and the next logical step of an invention from the late 20th century called Modified Atmospheric Packaging (MAP). MAP is a method of expelling the regular oxygenated air we all breathe from the packaging of perishable goods. It works by injecting an inert gas, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) into the package just before it is sealed. This method forces out the regular oxygenated air from the package and replaces it with the inert gas. This is beneficial because without any remaining oxygen inside the package, microorganisms such as bacteria and mold cannot flourish. This method is now very commonly used in the food packaging industry. MAP is also used in many other industries such as pharmaceutical, cannabis, chemicals, flowers, cosmetics, mining, and anywhere oxygen depletion has preservation benefits.

MAP does have one major limitation. That is, once the package is opened the benefit ends. RACPES allows the consumer a way to reuse and recapture the preserving benefits of oxygen depletion. This patent pending system uses commonly available carbon dioxide (CO2) canisters to force the regular oxygenated air out of the container. Thus, creating an altered inside air climate. Carbon dioxide (CO2) also has one additional characteristic. CO2 dissolves into moisture and fats, forming carbonic acid and lowering the surface pH. This change in acidity disrupts the metabolic functions of microorganisms.

REEDTower Pressure Bound Vertical Reed Holders are a patent pending design that preserve reeds in their best condition. They feature multiple small triangular windows on the flat side of the reed to allow the oxygen to be forced out when using the REEDTower CO2 AltAir Case. The top side of the reed is held down gently by the binding force applied to both the tip and body. Much like a paper binder clip, both sides of the REEDTower Pressure Bound Vertical Reed Holders keep the reed in place with light pressure applied to the tip and body. Also the REEDTower Pressure Bound Vertical Reed Holders have a small binding plate at the tip of the reed. This applies pressure on the tip and helps prevent moisture from escaping there while preventing warping. Lastly, reeds are maintained in the vertical stance while not in use. This insures any remaining moisture within flows evenly towards the tip. When reeds are left in a horizontal position, the remaining moisture will tend to first escape towards both ends of reed. This leaves the center heart of the reed as the last to have remaining moisture while the tip and heel ends dry out first. This effect can lead to warping especially at the tip where the reed is thinest.

Consider that reeds are made from the Arundo donax cane. It grows strait, tall, and vertically. It is only natural that preserving reeds in the same way they came out of the earth is proper.

Saxophone and clarinet players often like to remember which reed they’ve been using is their best preferred go to and will indicate them in an order to be used. REEDTower uses a colored system rather than a numbered system for a few reasons. Colors allow the player to match their favorite shade to their favorite reed in any way it is desired. When opening the REEDTower CO2 AltAir Case and REEDTower Vertical Case, the player can easily see the color indications as they look inside. While tested the REEDTower design, using number indicators on the Pressure Bound Vertical Reed Holders were found to be too small for easy viewing. Roman numerals, 1-6 dots, and line indications were also tested and found not suitable. Note, inside the REEDTower CO2 AltAir Case is the Center Column. It does have roman numeral indicators for ranking your favorite reeds.

For those who suffer from color blindness (roughly 8% of men and 0.5% of women), it is recommended to use a grease pen marker on the front-side lifting tab to make your preferred reed indication. 

Included with the full system are the REEDTower CO2 AltAir Case and REEDTower Vertical Case. The two cases are provided in so you can rotate reeds as you prepare them for your next performance. You can “break in” up to 6 reeds and first place them into the REEDTower CO2 AltAir Case with the included REEDTower Pressure Bound Vertical Reed Holders. When you have enough for your upcoming performance, you can then force out the regular oxygenated air from the REEDTower CO2 AltAir Case with the CO2 injector and seal it. Thus providing the ideal preservation for your reeds. REEDTower Vertical Case can then be used as a holding place for up to 6 more reeds as needed while your best reeds await your next gig inside the REEDTower CO2 AltAir Case. 

As if now, the REEDTower CO2 AltAir Case and REEDTower Vertical Case are only offered as a part of the full preservation system along with 12 REEDTower Pressure Bound Vertical Reed Holders. Future separate offerings may come to be available if demand is warranted.

REEDTower is designed to be used with baritone, tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone cane reeds. Bb clarinet and bass clarinet cane reeds can also be used. Other types of reeds such as synthetic, double, and/or sopranino reeds have not been tested.

Unlikely, and that is an intentional part of the design. Placing your reeds in a reed case, that sits inside your saxophone, and/or inside your saxophone case, creates a less than ideal environment for their long term playability. While doing so may be convenient, consider all the ways your reeds are subjected to oxygenated air, moisture, bacteria, mold, and various ways gravity will force the reed to unevenly dry out. 

REEDTower’s vertical design is specifically intend to promote the ideal environment for your reeds. It allows the force of gravity to evenly flow the moisture inside the reed towards the tip. When at rest or traveling with REEDTower, keep it in an upright position for best results. Whatever loss of convenience will be balanced out by better long term reed performance.

No. They are not needed nor are they desired. Moisture packs can promote a breeding ground for germs. Both the REEDTower CO2 AltAir Case and REEDTower Vertical Case are treated, by hand, inside and outside with a special polymer sealant. When used correctly, REEDTower is sealed away from outer contaminates and does not let the exchange of moisture away from your reeds. They don’t dry out easily and stay moist for an extend period. 

REEDTower is indeed manufactured using 3D printing. The design is very durable with 4 millimeter wall casings plus outer embossed ridges that contribute toward strength. The casings and lids are without a single seam joint so there aren’t any weak points. The lids are made of a tough yet flexible material. This flexibility insures a tight seal to the harder stiff material the casings are manufactured from. When you hold the REEDTower CO2 AltAir Case and REEDTower Vertical Case in your hand, you’ll immediately feel the substantial quality and durability. The REEDTower Pressure Bound Vertical Reed Holders are also made from this same stiff material.

REEDTower also goes through several hand finished post processing steps after the parts are 3D printed. For the REEDTower CO2 AltAir Case and REEDTower Vertical Case, these include a brushed on smoothing agent to reduce rough edges. Also a special polymer sealant is applied, by hand, inside and outside to create a water and air tight enclosure. The REEDTower Pressure Bound Vertical Reed Holders are sanded, by hand, at the point where the tip of the reeds are held down to ensure a smooth surface.

The Center Column inside the REEDTower CO2 AltAir Case is a vital part. It functions in four ways. 1) It keeps the REEDTower Pressure Bound Vertical Reed Holders in the correct position. 2) It channels the incoming CO2 gas from the presta value stem to the bottom of the REEDTower CO2 AltAir Case and out the sides past the REEDTower Pressure Bound Vertical Reed Holders. 3) It occupies the remaining unused space within the REEDTower CO2 AltAir Case. This feature means less CO2 gas is required to evacuate the oxygenated regular air inside. The Center Column is also treated, by hand, with a special polymer sealant and is completely water and gas tight. 4) It has roman numerals indications for ranking your favorite reeds.

Almost. The regular oxygenated air we all breathe contains approximately 20% oxygen. The goal of the Reusable Altered Climate Preservation Enclosure System (RACPES) is to reduce the oxygen concentration within the REEDTower CO2 AltAir Case to less than 5%. Thereby, starving any micrograms and preventing their ability to flourish.

Vacuum packing doesn’t deplete the oxygen that still remains close to the items in the bag. It also tends to crush and deform the items inside. REEDTower Pressure Bound Vertical Reed Holders have multiple small triangular windows on the flat side of the reed to allow the oxygen to be forced out of the area closest to the reed when using the REEDTower CO2 AltAir Case. The top side of the reed is held down gently by the biding force applied to both the tip and body. In this way, reeds are kept in an oxygen depleted state and gently held in place.

ReedTower includes a CO2 starter kit with a CO2 nozzle, CO2 cartridge sleeve protector, and 4 threaded 16g CO2 cartridges. Additional threaded CO2 cartridges can be found inexpensively through many retailers.

Note, CO2 cartridges are not approved for air travel. If you're traveling by air to your next gig, be sure to prepare your reeds in the REEDTower CO2 AltAir case before you go to the airport and leave the CO2 cartridges at home.  Alternatively, you can bring the REEDTower Vertical case instead.

No, cleaning via an automatic dishwasher is not recommended. Wash by hand with lukewarm warm water and gentle dish soap.

 REEDTower is designed, built, and hand finished in the USA with raw materials and parts sourced from China and Europe.