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 Dorkorder 7100 3 Head 3 Motor Reel to Reel Tape Recorder NICE!! US $199.00 
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 REVOX STUDER PR99 reel to reel tape recorder PR 99 1/4" MKII MK2 US $152.50
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 REVOX STUDER B77 B 77 B-77 MKII MK2 MK 2 reel to reel analog tape recorder US $81.00
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 Akai GX-77 Auto Reverse Reel To Reel tape deck w new Belt package US $482.07
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 VINTAGE WEBCOR REEL TO REEL MODEL 210-10 TAPE RECORDER US $9.99
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 DUKANE Reel tape Recorder Vtg SAMS Photofact Folder US $4.99
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 10 Reel to Reel Ampex 671 DOUBLE PLAY tapes US $36.00
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 Lot of 4 Used MAXELL Reel To Reel Tapes 90 min. 1800 Feet blank or pre-recorded US $32.99
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 Recorded Reel-To-Reel Audio Tape Reels/12 Five Inch Reels & 1 Three Inch Reel US $22.00
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 AKAI GX - 280D STEREO REEL TO REEL TAPE DECK US $499.00
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 AKAI 150D 3 Speed Stereo & Mono Monaural Reel to Reel Tape Recorder Guaranteed ! US $249.00
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 AMPEX 641 Professional Blank Reel-To-Reel Recording Tape NOS US $7.00
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 Vintage Lafayette Computor-Matic RK-960 4-Track Stereo Reel Reel Tape Recorder US $200.00
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 Vintage 408 Quantegy Audio Mastering Tape 1/4 x 600' 5" Reel NEW SEALED (S35) US $9.99
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 Wilcox-Gay Master Recordio Portable Reel to Reel Tape Recorder US $60.00
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 Lot of 11 USED 7“ Reel Recording Tape - Various Brands US $9.99
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 TDK 3600-SD Tape Metal Reel to Reel 10 1/2" x 1/4 US $21.51
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 Scotch 3M 1/4" 12" Empty Metal Reel to Reel Audio Analog Recording Tape A US $23.50
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 Scotch 3M 1/4" 12" Reel to Reel Audio Analog Recording Tape US $23.50
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 Lot:10 USED SCOTCH 3M 7" Reel to Reel Sound Recording Tapes and 2 Take up Reels US $20.20
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 SCOTCH MAGNETIC TAPE 215 3M 7" REEL TO REEL RECORDING TAPE NEW! BARGAIN!! US $5.00
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 BLANK REEL TO REEL 10.5 IN METAL AUDIO BLANK TAPE 2PCS NEW PRODUCT BY BASF US $45.99
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 Teac 4010SU,Auto Reverse,vintage reel to reel tape recorder deck,Power up,spins US $149.99
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 Tiny Universal reel-to-reel tape recorder US $5.00
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 Akai X-201D Reel To Reel Tape Recorder Guranteed Nice Working Condition US $250.00
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 VINTAGE MID-60s 4-TRACK MYSTERY REEL-TO-REEL 7 INCH TAPE - 7-1/2 IPS SCOTCH 3M US $.99
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 ELECTRONICS WORLD MAGAZINE AUG 1966 BATTERY OPERATED TAPE RECORDERS REEL TO REEL US $3.00
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 Norelco Model EL3549A Reel to Reel Tape Recorder Player US $50.00
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 LARGE LOT BOX OF REEL TO REEL STEREO TAPES 25 PCS 7" US $49.99
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 Analog REel to Rell Tape Deck T shirt - Revox - ampex one of a kind shirt US $10.99
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 7 inch (seven) Gray Empty Tape Reel (for Reel to Reel Tape Deck) take-up reel US $1.99
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 LOT OF 4 10.5" REEL TO REEL TAPES 2 WITH TINS 2 IN BOXES US $12.50
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 SONY TC-260 TAPE RECORDER REEL TO REEL AUDIOPHILE WORKS US $49.99
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 Lot of 2 Maxell UD 35-180 open reel tapes Sealed Never Opened Or Used tape US $137.50
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 Teac X-3 & X-3R X300 Reel to Reel Tape Deck Belt Kit US $18.99
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 TEAC A-3440 Reel to Reel 4 Ch Multitrack Tape Deck w/ SIMUL-SYNC US $225.00
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 NEW Tape Deck Head Demagnetizer Cassette Reel to Ampex US $12.95
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 Teac Ad, 1989, Open Reel, Tape, CD, 1 pg, Frame it! US $6.00
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 Sony TC-580 Stereo 7" Reel to Reel Tape Deck with 75 reels US $150.00
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 RARE Irish Stroboscope Reel to Reel Tape Player Recorder Speed Calibration Disc US $24.95
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 reel to reel tapes US $125.00
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 3M 996 1/2-INCH RECORDING TAPE- NEW IN BOX - 8 ROLLS - 2 ON REELS - VIRGIN STOCK US $9.99
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 TDK L-1800 Professional Reel to Reel 7" Tape Quality Tested Guaranty!! US $29.99
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 aiwa 3inch a.c. and battery powered 1965 open reel tape recorder US $3.95
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 Vintage Wilcox-Gay Recordio Tape Reel-to-Reel Recording Machine US $42.49
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 Maxell XLI 35-90B(N) Blank Tested Reel to Reel Tape US $36.99
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 New Reel to Reel Metal Sensing Foil for 1/4" R2R Tape US $12.99
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 10 TDK LX35\90B 7" Quality Tested Reel to Reel Tapes US $279.99
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 Teac A-6300 Reel to Reel Tape Deck Capstan Belt w/Instr US $10.99
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 Tandberg TD 20A Reel-to-Reel Tape Deck in Very Good Condition US $1,275.00
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 Teac A-6300 Reel to Reel Tape Deck Counter Belt US $7.99
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 Pioneer RT-901 Reel to Reel Tape Deck Belt w/Instrut's US $12.99
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 5 VINTAGE REEL TO REEL TAPES NEVER USED SHIELD BRAND1800' 7" REELS NOS US $12.00
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 VINTAGE ANTIQUE PRESTO RECORDING CORP TAPE NOS REEL US $150.00
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 Teac X-10 Reel To Reel Tape Recorder Plus Xtras US $800.00
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 Ampex Reel to Reel Tape - Blank Media, New never opened, 10 Reels in this lot US $335.00
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 SONY TC 468 REEL TO REEL TAPE DECK RESTORED plays and records perfect US $800.00
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 NEW Quantegy 795 Reel to Reel 1" Tape 14" Hi Tech Cold War Souvenir Telemetry US $89.99
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 NEW AMPEX 795 Reel to Reel 1" Mastering Tape 14" Hi Tech Cold War Souvenir !! US $89.99
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 Hitachi Tape Reel R-7 Professional Magnetic Tape-Mint w/Box-Unused ! US $13.78
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 Lot of 3 Maxell UD 35-180 blank reel to reel tapes, 10.5" metal reels US $114.55
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 BASF Triple Play Tape LH hifi 18cm (7"), reel to reel, 90-180 min US $13.51
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 VINTAGE ANTIQUE SCOTCH METAL REELS EMPTY TAKE UP TAPE US $75.00
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 Matthews Southern Comfort/Later that same year reel to reel GREAT TAPE! US $6.20
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 Teac A-3340 series Reel to Reel Tape Deck Capstan Belt US $10.99
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 Vintage REVOX G36 MKIII STEREO REEL-to-REEL TAPE RECORDER US $899.00
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 SONY VINTAGE REEL TO REEL TAPE RECORDER PARTS TC 105A COVER MIC PHONE PICK UP US $19.99
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 Reel to Reel Tapes Sony SLH-180 Professional and 2 others Used US $3.99
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 Sony TC-580 Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder Owner's Manual US $10.99
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 TEAC 3300 REEL TO REEL (10.5"/7") TAPE DECK RECORDER IN EXCELLENT CONDITION ! US $549.00
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 tape reel NAB hub 1/4" aluminum10.5" satin finish US $10.00
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 1960s Vintage Mayfair FT-1024 Tape Recorder Player Portable Reel To Reel 5" Size US $21.99
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 "SHERLOCK HOLMES" CLASSIC DETECTIVE RADIO SHOW REEL-TO-REEL 7" AUDIO TAPE US $7.95
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 "HONEYMOONERS" CLASSIC COMEDY RADIO SHOW REEL-TO-REEL 7" AUDIO TAPE US $7.95
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 + 2x Superb ZONAL 675 Professional Reel to Reel Tape + US $63.26
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 TEAC A-4010S AUTOMATIC REVERSE TAPE DECK REEL TO REEL US $99.00
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 Vintage WEBCOR ROYAL EP2611-1 Reel To Reel Tape Player Recorder WORKS VIDEO LIST US $129.95
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 Mama Cass Dream A Little Dream Of Me Reel To Reel Tape US $60.00
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 RMG Take Up Reel 1/4" Tape 10.5" Metal Reel w/ Box SM911 SM900 LPR35 Takeup US $25.00
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 Lot of 5 3M Scotch reel to reel tape US $10.00
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 Sony TC-377 Reel to Reel Tape Belt Kit W/Instructions US $24.99
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 Pioneer RT-909 Reel to Reel Tape Deck Belt w/Instrut's US $13.99
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 TDK LX 50\60B 7" Quality Tested Reel to Reel Tape US $29.99
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 Shamrock Recording Tape 1/4" 5 inch reels 5 pc. used in boxes Used US $1.99
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 Bel Clear Recording Tape 1/4" 5 inch reels 5 pc. used in boxes Used US $1.99
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 Scotch Recording Tape 1/4" 5 inch reels 5 pc. used in boxes Used US $1.99
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 Vintage 1979 Technics RS-1500US 1500 Reel to Reel Tape Recorder Deck +Dust Cover US $911.06
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 Pan Canada Recording Tape 1/4" 5 inch reels 7pc. used in boxes Used US $1.99
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 Recording Tape 1/4" 7 inch reels 4pc. used in boxes Used US $1.99
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 Kodak Reel to Reel Tapes and can containers LOOK Vintage! US $6.99
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 Vintage Revox A-77 A77 Reel to Reel Tape Recorder Deck Fixer w/ NAB Hub Adaptors US $61.00
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 Lot of 30 Sealed New NOS Radio Shack Concertape 1800 7 Inch Recording Reel Tapes US $119.99
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 Vintage Pioneer Model RT 909 Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder US $122.50
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 Vintage Pioneer RT-909 Reel to Reel Tape Recorder Deck Fixer w/ NAB Hub Adaptors US $101.87
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 counter for the reel pulled from webcor royal coronet reel to reel tape recorder US $7.99
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Reel Tape
Scratching Reel-to-reel Tape Decks (ver.1.2)
Reel to Reel - The Heart of Analog Audio Recording
What kind of mental picture comes to mind when you think about "reel to reel"? Some of us conjure up the video projectors with the great spools of film rolling between the reels - others think about the reel to reel recorders that were commonly used in classrooms. It really depends on the era and how willing you are to show your age.
The History of the Reel to Reel - Over 60 Years Young
Prior to reel to reel tape decks people were using recorders with spools of wire. Wire recorders were first invented in 1898 and became popular in the consumer market during the 1940s. However with the invention of the open reel tape deck and its release to the public in 1948 the wire recorder declined into obscurity.
Why the Switch
The audio fidelity between wire and tape was comparable but open reel tape gained favor quickly not only due to the quality of the analog sound but also in how easy it was to edit the tape. To edit a wire recording the wire had to be cut and then joined by tying the two ends together in a knot. While this worked, it wasn't ideal - splicing magnetic tape was much easier and resulted in a higher quality edit.
With magnetic tape on an open reel, the audio could be quickly edited on the fly by making a simple cut, then rejoining the tape with a thin adhesive called a "splice." Because most commercial reel to reel recording devices came with a splicing block, a skilled individual could rapidly edit audio in a very precise fashion.
The Birth of Something New
The reel to reel as we know it today has roots in Germany during the World War II era where it was then known as a Magnetophon. The technology was captured during the war period by the U.S. Army Signal Corps under the eye of American audio engineer Jack Mullin. Seeing potential in the design, he worked to improve it and develop a commercial use for the machines in the US.
In 1947 he pitched the recorder to MGM studios where he caught the attention of Bing Crosby. Impressed with the design and also with the potential of the product, Crosby invested in the production of the device through a company known as Ampex. Crosby then went on to be the first American to master commercial recordings on tape - including pre-recordings of his radio programs. The continued research and production by Mullins and Ampex led to the development of commercial stereo and multi-track audio reel to reel recorders.
Reel to Reel Audio - For the Love of Quality
Audiophiles and industry manufacturers quickly realized that the performance of a recording was directly affected by both the speed at which a recording was handled and the width of the tape itself. People embraced the quality of the reel to reel tape system but with all the components of reel to reel there was a potential for variances that could directly affect quality.
- Tape formulation (backing and thickness)
- The design of the reel to reel recorder
- Machine speed stability
- Head gap size & quality
- Head design and quality of technology
- Alignment
- Tape tension regulation
- Track width
Each of these can affect quality and signal-to-noise ratios. Because of the variances, especially with the type of tape, its make-up, and width, a recording studio or commercial operation would often set their machines up and align them to handle a specific brand of tape. Unless a change was necessary, they stuck to that brand and model. This helped to eliminate a number of variances that negatively impacted sound quality.
The Difference in Reel to Reel Tape Speeds
As mentioned, the faster the speed of the recording, the better the quality. The downside to this method is that it uses a lot more tape. A slower speed would in turn use less tape but there is a higher signal-to-noise ratio that reduces the sound quality. Slower speeds were far more common when the quality of sound was less important:
15/16ths of an inch per second (in/s) or 2.38 cm/s
Common for lengthy recordings or logging. This could include long lectures or radio addresses where a station needs to "log" its entire output.
1 7/8 in/s or 4.76 cm/s
The speed would lend itself well to extremely long speeches that need some measure of improvement over the quality of the above. This was considered to be the slowest domestic speed that most found to be acceptable.
3¾ in/s or 9.52 cm/s
This was typically the most common domestic speed when it came to recording and playback because it offered a fair amount of quality in terms of speech and general recording purposes where reel to reel is concerned.
7½ in/s or 19.05 cm/s
While this is considered to be the highest domestic speed for the best quality in general recordings, it was the lowest acceptable speed for professional recordings such as dubs or commercial announcements.
15 in/s or 38.1 cm/s
The most common speed for professional reel to reel recording. This speed was typical of music recording as well as most commercial radio programming.
30 in/s or 76.2 cm/s
When the most quality was in demand for a specific recording, this was the chosen speed. While it used a great deal of tape it provided much more professional sound necessary for clear recordings of such pieces as classical music.
The Power of Reel to Reel
While digital recording adds a lot of convenience to the modern recording process, there's a reason why analog & reel to reel technology still exists today. Audio enthusiasts recognize now the same thing they saw then - analog audio in a reel to reel setup has a very rich, robust and melodic sound that many believe can't be achieved with digital technology. To some, with a trained ear, they would tell you that digital technology offers substandard sampling when compared to analog.
The reel to reel tape recorder was made available to consumers for use in their homes for a period of approximately 25 years (from the mid 50's through the 70's) before it was pushed aside by the convenience of the cassette tape. Prerecorded music reels were still sold into the '80s but were much harder to come by. Still, those audiophiles with a love for sound as well as those in the professional recording industry recognize the power of reel to reel recording and the commercial use of this system.
This is why many artists continue to record both in digital and analog formats, using reel to reel commercial tape recorders in studios even today.
About the Author
Audible Forensics is not only a forensic audio company but in addition we are experts with audio transfer and digitization services. We can transfer your microcassettes, standard cassettes, 8-tracks, minidiscs, and reel to reel to CD or a digital file format. We also offer transcription services if needed.
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