Technique for smoother, faster and cleaner taping: tape, stop to cut, return the control tube to the centre, as you roll out the tape also feed more tape by pushing the control tube forward. Try and keep the ends of the cut tape together. Always a good idea to practice dry taping, especially if new to running an auto taper. This also helps eliminate dry sections of tape after cutting.
If you cut and roll out the tape without advancing, there is nothing to support the mud that is coming out so it can fall into the void, the tape wheel etc making mess. When you then advance more tape it drags some mud out of the head, reducing pressure in the head. The taper then needs to build up that pressure before mud flows - that is when you can get dry tape.
