The most expensive music format (in the world)
Techmoan・2 minutes read
Vinyl records are back in trend, sparking discussions on whether reel-to-reel tapes will follow suit and regain popularity among high-end audio enthusiasts. Despite challenges in availability and competition from other formats, new pre-recorded open reel tapes are being offered by companies like The Tape Project, with the use of digital masters for duplication helping preserve the original tapes.
Insights
- Reel-to-reel tapes, despite not being readily available in stores as pre-recorded tapes, are gaining popularity among high-end audio enthusiasts, with companies like The Tape Project offering new pre-recorded open reel tapes resembling studio masters.
- The resurgence of reel-to-reel tapes is driven by their superior sound quality and the availability of organizations like United Home Audio offering heavily modified machines for purchase, indicating a growing market for high-quality audio playback equipment despite the lack of new manufacturing.
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Recent questions
Will reel-to-reel tapes experience a resurgence like vinyl records?
Reel-to-reel tapes have been gaining popularity among high-end audio enthusiasts, but they are not as readily available for purchase as pre-recorded tapes in stores. The market for them is not as widespread as vinyl records, but there is a niche audience that appreciates the superior sound quality they offer. Companies like The Tape Project are offering new pre-recorded open reel tapes, resembling studio masters, which indicates a growing interest in this format. While they may not reach the same level of mainstream popularity as vinyl records, there is a dedicated community that values the unique audio experience that reel-to-reel tapes provide.
What is the history of reel-to-reel tape formats?
Reel-to-reel tapes have evolved over the years with different formats, track widths, and speeds affecting sound quality. Stereo reel-to-reel systems progressed from staggered heads to inline heads, impacting audio quality and cost. Machines from the late 1970s to early 1980s were considered the golden era of reel-to-reel, offering superior recording capabilities. Despite facing competition from stereo records in the late 1950s, reel-to-reel tapes have maintained a niche following due to their high-quality sound reproduction.
Are there new pre-recorded open reel tapes available for purchase?
Companies like The Tape Project are offering new pre-recorded open reel tapes, running at 15 inches per second, resembling studio masters. These tapes are aimed at high-end audio enthusiasts who appreciate the superior sound quality of reel-to-reel recordings. While they may not be as widely available as other formats, the availability of new pre-recorded tapes indicates a growing interest in reel-to-reel technology.
What are the costs associated with purchasing reel-to-reel tapes and machines?
Companies like United Home Audio offer heavily modified Tasker machines for purchase, ranging from $6,500 to $22,000, with a waiting list for 2017. Albums like "Willy and the Poorboys" from Creedence Clearwater Revival are available for $450, with two-reel sets priced up to 445 euros. While the initial investment in reel-to-reel machines and tapes can be high, there is a dedicated community of audio enthusiasts willing to pay for the superior sound quality that reel-to-reel technology provides.
Are new reel-to-reel machines being manufactured?
New reel-to-reel machines are not currently being manufactured, but refurbished Tasker machines are available for purchase. Companies like Reeboks are rumored to release a new tape machine for 15-inch per second tapes, indicating a continued interest in reel-to-reel technology. While the market for new machines may be limited, there is still a niche audience that values the unique audio experience that reel-to-reel tapes offer.
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Summary
00:00
Resurgence of Reel-to-Reel Tapes in Audio
- Vinyl records have made a comeback in recent years, leading to a surge in the market for them.
- The question arises whether reel-to-reel tapes will experience a similar resurgence.
- An article from 2015 on the Verge website titled "Reel-to-Reel Tape is the New Vinyl" prompts this discussion.
- Reel-to-reel tapes are not readily available for purchase as pre-recorded tapes in stores.
- Despite this, reel-to-reel tapes are gaining popularity among high-end audio enthusiasts.
- The Pioneer RT 909, a renowned open reel recorder, was a popular model from the late era of consumer reel-to-reel.
- Machines from the late 1970s to early 1980s were considered the golden era of reel-to-reel, offering superior recording capabilities.
- Different formats of reel-to-reel tapes evolved over the years, with varying track widths and speeds affecting sound quality.
- Stereo reel-to-reel systems progressed from staggered heads to inline heads, impacting audio quality and cost.
- Reel-to-reel tapes faced competition from stereo records in the late 1950s, leading to a decline in their popularity despite superior sound quality.
15:04
Revived Reel-to-Reel Tapes: High-Quality Analog Sound
- Companies have started offering new pre-recorded open reel tapes, running at 15 inches per second, resembling studio masters.
- The Tape Project is a notable organization selling these tapes, with a wealth of information on their website about the tapes and recommended playback machines.
- Professional machines are ideal for playback, but prosumer machines can be used with component replacements to drive reels and extract audio.
- United Home Audio offers heavily modified Tasker machines for purchase, ranging from $6,500 to $22,000, with a waiting list for 2017.
- Albums like "Willy and the Poorboys" from Creedence Clearwater Revival are available for $450, with two-reel sets priced up to 445 euros.
- Companies claim to create duplicate copies of original master tapes in real-time, with some using digital masters for duplication to avoid wearing out the original tape.
- Analog Records may be using a digital master for duplication, as digital masters allow for perfect copies without wearing out the original tape.
- New reel-to-reel machines are not being manufactured, but refurbished Tasker machines are available, with Reeboks rumored to release a new tape machine for 15-inch per second tapes.
