What kind of tape do you use for reel-to-reel?
Reel-to-reel systems use tape that is 1⁄4, 1⁄2, 1, or 2 inches (6.35, 12.70, 25.40, or 50.80 mm) wide, which normally moves at 33⁄4, 71⁄2, 15 or 30 inches per second (9.525, 19.05, 38.10 or 76.20 cm/s).
Is reel-to-reel the best format?
By writing the exact same audio signal across more tape, reel-to-reel systems provide a greater fidelity than audio cassette. But (there’s always a but, right?), R2R’s better sound quality comes at the cost of much, much larger tapes, which in turn paves way to less convenience and more expensive media.
Do people still use reel-to-reel tape?
Currently, only two companies consistently produce reel-to-reel audio records, one in Pennsylvania, and one in France, so the pickings are pretty slim if you’re looking for something brand new. Some more robust local libraries and archives still possess these recorders, but again, they are fairly few and far between.
Are reel-to-reel tapes worth anything?
The value of the collection is in the reels and boxes and the recorded content. The tape itself is not worth anything. Those old tapes are murder on headwear and heads are at a premium now.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of tape?
They are extremely compact, and can easily be carried from location to location. Their main downside is the danger that the metal can cut the skin during use. They also are not easily manipulated, so measuring an area that is not a straight line can be difficult.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of tape based systems?
Data backed up to tape requires fewer resources to maintain….Advantages and disadvantages of tape backup
- Tape backups require fewer resources to maintain.
- You can place the archives in a more secure place than you can place a storage system.
- You can recover data from any release of Data ONTAP.
How long do reel to reel tapes last?
Most organizations say magnetic tapes, such as reel-to-reel, should last around 20 years. But some people on online forums state they’ve had tapes lasting more than fifty years due to safe storage.
How long is a reel-to-reel tape?
Most domestic decks were designed to play commercially-released 5 and 7-inch tapes, whereas 10.5 inches is the norm for master tape copies. To play 10.5″ reels (or larger) you’ll need a higher-end vintage domestic deck or a professional one.
What is the main benefit of tape?
Tape is the IT industry’s longest-lived magnetic medium and offers a number of benefits over spinning disk and flash technology. These include capacity and cost. Once a tape system is set up, it is cheap to run and easy to expand. Tape also now works directly with file systems, making it almost as easy to use as NAS.
Where can I buy old reel-to-reel tapes?
Companies selling these tapes include The Tape Project, Yarlung Records, and IOpen Reel Records. You can find lots of old reel-to-reel tapes on places like eBay, but beware. These older tapes weren’t built to last decades, and will often be shedding oxide all over the delicate heads of your restored reel-to-reel machine.
How to choose a new reel tape?
Therefore today to choose a new (manufactured nowadays) tape is easy. PYRAL is the only reel tape manufacturer left in the world. There are also available the US based ATR tapes. However they make only one professional formula. It is a good one, but even more expensive and not widely used contrary to RMGI/PYRAL.
Can you record live on a reel-to-reel?
This will be especially welcome news to people wanting to do live recording on their reel-to-reel decks, or copy their old tapes and discs over to a more stable medium. Is reel-to-reel coming back?
What happened to Tascam reel to reel recorders?
Tascam is heavily into professional audio, but stopped making reel-to-reel recorders in 2002. They are still in demand by recording studios who want to master music productions in analog.