how long is a reel to reel tape

How long can reel-to-reel record?

Instagram Reels are short-form, vertical videos that can be up to 60 seconds long. Instagram users can record and edit together video and photo clips set to music and share them to their Feed, Stories, and the Reels explore page.

How long is tape on 7-inch reel?

Perhaps a 5-inch reel is 30 minutes, a 7-inch reel 60 minutes, and a 10.5-inch reel 90-120 minutes.

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.

How many tracks can be on a reel-to-reel?

This layout allows four tracks to be recorded simultaneously, utilizing all of the tape in a single direction. There is no Side "B", which was no major loss because the theatre rarely used Side "B"anyway.

How many feet of tape do I need for a 7 reel?

A 7″ reel can hold from 1200 up to 2400 feet of tape, resulting in playing times of approximately 32 minutes and 64 minutes, respectively, at 7.5ips. Thinner tape is more fragile, and has significantly more “print-through” (explained later).

Is reel-to-reel better than vinyl?

But to take this audio debate even further, reel-to-reel is often considered an even better audio alternative than vinyl when played at 7½ inches per second versus vinyl at 45 rpm.

Is a reel-to-reel valuable?

They're worth something but it really depends on the make and model as there are various types of tape and size of reels. They also are climbing in value because the market is picking back up as folks who were into vinyl are looking for the ultimate in analog sound fidelity.

Is reel-to-reel coming back?

While reel-to-reel is making a comeback, it still barely moves the needle. Schneider, who says he has the capacity to produce about 200 machines a year, seeks to sell 20 to 30 players this year and about double that next year.

Is tape reel better than vinyl?

For starters, it has greater dynamic range than vinyl, with extraordinary sound at the frequency extremes: the treble and bass. Next, consider the amount of signal processing that each medium requires.

Do reel to reel tapes degrade?

Reel-to-reel tapes are experiencing a resurgence of interest among audio buffs, but they are prone to degradation, which has been a topic of active research for many years. It's well known that applying heat can often reverse the damage sufficiently to enable playback, usually by baking the tapes in an oven.

Can you play a 4 track on a 2 track reel-to-reel?

"Inestimable" Reel to Reel expert You can not play 4 track tapes on a 2 track machine, but as you have not got a 2 track machine that is not going to be a problem for you.

Can you record on both sides of a tape?

Two stereo pairs of tracks (four total) are available on a cassette tape; the first stereo pair is played or recorded when the tape is moving in one direction and the other pair when moving in the opposite direction. So a standard 60 minute tape can contain up to 30 minutes of recorded material on each side.

How many plays can reel to reel tapes have?

If all this TLC was taken into account, then most reel-to-reel tapes can undergo many plays without noticeable loss of hi-frequency signal, giving you around 50 or more plays without noticeable degradation. Not bad but not great either, but hey, we’re talking about some old machinery here.

What was the first form of magnetic tape?

It feels like eons ago, but at one time, reel-to-reel (or R2R) tape was the pinnacle of audio engineering – the earliest form of magnetic tape used for audio recording.

How many plays are considered the end of life for a tape?

Like all analog media, that answer isn’t set in concrete because there are so many outside factors that affect it; however, if the situation was ideal, a good half-life would be around 200-500 plays with around 1,000 plays considered the end of life (EOL) for a tape.

Does recording speed affect reel to reel quality?

In addition to tape thickness, recording speed plays a part in the preservation or degradation of reel-to-reel tapes, especially if the tape has been re-recorded several times. The more layers of recording you impose on your tapes, the more you’re degrading the sonic quality and so forth.

Do reel to reel tapes last forever?

Let’s just get the cat out of the bag now – reel-to-reel tapes won’t last forever. In fact, if you’re sitting on a trove of reel-to-reel gold, there’s a strong chance they’re already on their last leg. After all, a large piece of analog media that’s 70 years old doesn’t stand much of a chance, regardless of how properly it was cared for. But there is good news!

How many plays does a reel to reel tape have?

After about 50 plays, degradation on a reel-to-reel tape will become slightly noticeable to acute listeners. The average half-life is considered between 200-500 plays.

How Long Does Reel-to-Reel Audio Last?

All good things must come to an end, and magnetic tape audio recordings are no exception.

How long does a magnetic tape 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.

Do reel to reel tapes degrade?

Just like cassette tapes and VHS tapes, reel-to-reel recordings will slowly degrade over time. But this degradation can be reduced by properly storing your reel-to-reel tapes.

What was the first tape recorder to use reel to reel?

Magnetophon from a German radio station in World War II. The reel-to-reel format was used in the earliest tape recorders, including the pioneering German-British Blattnerphone (1928) machines of the late 1920s which used steel tape, and the German Magnetophon machines of the 1930s.

Who makes reel to reel tapes?

Studer, Stellavox, Tascam, and Denon still produced reel to reel tape recorders in the 1990s, but as of 2017. [update] , only Mechlabor continues to manufacture analog reel-to-reel recorders. Currently (2020), there are two companies that manufacture magnetic recording tape: ATR Services of York, Pennsylvania, and Recording ...

How does tape affect magnetic signal?

Tape formulation affects the retention of the magnetic signal, especially high frequencies , the frequency linearity of the tape, the S/N ratio , print-through, optimum AC bias level (which must be set by a technician aligning the machine to match the tape type used, or more crudely set with a switch to approximate the optimum setting.) Tape formulation varies between different tape types ( ferric oxide [Fe 2 O 3 ], chromium dioxide [CrO 2 ], etc.) and also in the precise composition of a specific brand and batch of tape. (Studios therefore generally align their machines for one brand and model number of tape and use only that brand and model.) Backing material type and thickness affect the tensile strength and elasticity of the tape, which affect wow-and-flutter and tape stretch; stretched tape will have a pitch error, possibly fluctuating. Backing thickness also affects print-through, the phenomenon of adjacent layers of tape wound on a reel picking up weak copies of the magnetic signal from each other. Print-through on analog tape causes unintended pre- and post-echoes on playback, and is generally not fully reversible once it has occurred. In professional half-track use, post-echo is considered less problematic than pre-echo (as the echo is largely masked by the signal itself) and therefore tapes stored for long periods are kept "tails-out", where the tape must be first wound "backwards" onto the take-up spool before playback.

How does tape affect recording?

The performance of tape recording is greatly affected by the width of the tracks used to record a signal, and the speed of the tape. The wider and faster the better, but of course this uses more tape. These factors lead directly to improved frequency response, signal-to-noise ratio, and high-frequency distortion figures. Tape can accommodate multiple parallel tracks, allowing not just stereo recordings, but multi-track recordings too. This gives the producer of the final edit much greater flexibility, allowing a performance to be remixed long after the performance was originally recorded. This innovation was a great driving force behind the explosion of popular music in the late 1950s and 1960s. The first multi-tracking recorders had two, three, or four tracks, then eight, sixteen, and twenty-four, and so on. It was discovered early on that new special effects were possible, such as phasing and flanging, delays and echo by re-directing the signal through one or more additional tape machines, while recording the composite result to another. These innovations appeared on pop recordings shortly after multi-tracking recorders were introduced, although, Les Paul had been using tape echo and speed-manipulation effects on his single-track recordings from the 1940s and '50s.

Why do artists prefer analog tape?

In addition, high end frequencies can be slightly compressed, which some claim is more natural to the human ear, though this claim is difficult to quantify due to the very personal aesthetics as to what is 'natural' sound. In this century, it is not uncommon for some artists to record directly onto digital equipment and then re-record the tracks to analog reel tape (or vice versa) for this effect, which can sound pleasing or "warmer" due to the increase of even harmonics that can often enhance musicality, much in the way vacuum tube amplifiers are preferred over solid-state devices for the same reasons. In addition to all of these attributes, tape "saturation" is a unique form of distortion that many rock, blues and funk artists find very satisfying, though with modern technology, these forms of distortion can be simulated digitally.

What size reels are used for PET film?

Studios generally used 10 1⁄2 inch reels on PET film backings. Inexpensive reel-to-reel tape recorders were widely used for voice recording in the home and in schools, along with dedicated models expressly made for business dictation, before the Philips compact cassette, introduced in 1963, gradually took over.

Why is tape speed better?

In general, the faster the speed, the better the reproduction quality. Higher tape speeds spread the signal longitudinally over more tape area, reducing the effects of dropouts that can be audible from the medium , and noticeably improve high frequency response. Slower tape speeds conserve tape and are useful in applications where sound quality is not critical.

How thick is reel to reel tape?

The thickest tape normally used in cassettes is about 26 µm in thickness, and is used in C60 cassettes and in shorter lengths such as the C46.

How many splines are in a tape reel?

In each case the shaft or hub had three splines. In machines designed to allow for vertical mounting, the upper part of the shaft or hub could commonly be rotated by 60° so the upper splines locked the reel in place (or, more recently, used a rubber stopper placed on the spindle). Some tape decks could accommodate either format by using removable hubs for the larger reel size. When in use these hubs were locked onto the cine spindles by the same mechanism used to secure the smaller reels.

How much tape is in a micro cassette?

The original standard MC60 microcassette contained 43.2 m (142') of tape for 30 minutes recording per side at 2.4 cm/s (about 15 ⁄ 16 ips, making it half the standard speed of a compact cassette). Most recorders also provide a slower speed of 1.2 cm/s, doubling the recording time but with poor sound quality. The only other common sizes are the MC30 with half the length of slightly thicker tape, and the MC90 with 50% more tape length then the MC60, and correspondingly thinner tape.

What is a tape used for long distance calls?

In the days when long-distance telephone calls were expensive and often very low quality, three-inch or smaller reels of triple-play or even thinner tape were used for sending long recorded messages by post, most often using 1 7 ⁄ 8 -ips tape speed. These were known as message tapes.

What is 3600 tape?

Thinner tapes with thicknesses of 18 µm, fitting 3600' on a seven-inch reel and 1800' on a five-inch reel were known as triple-play tapes. Triple-play tape was too fragile for many tape decks to safely rewind even on a full seven-inch reel, and was more commonly used on five-inch- and smaller reels. However 3600' tapes on seven-inch reels were commercially available for those who wanted them.

What is tape thickness?

All tape thicknesses here refer to the total tape thickness unless otherwise specified, including the base, the oxide coating and any back coating. In the USA, tape thickness is often expressed as the thickness of the base alone. However, this varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and also between tape formulations from the same manufacturer. Outside of the USA, the overall thickness is more often quoted, and is the more relevant measurement when relating the thickness to the length that can be fit onto a reel or into a cassette.

What is the speed of a recorder?

Most recorders also provide a slower speed of 1.2 cm/s, doubling the recording time but with poor sound quality. The only other common sizes are the MC30 with half the length of slightly thicker tape, and the MC90 with 50% more tape length then the MC60, and correspondingly thinner tape.

How long do reel to reel tapes last?

Reel to reel tapes have a common life of 20 years, but with proper storage some enthusiasts have noted that their tapes have remained in good condition for up to 50 years. Following certain guidelines can significantly increase the lifespan of your reel to reel tapes.

When did reel to reel tape start?

The reel-to-reel format was used in the earliest tape recorders, including the pioneering German-British Blattnerphone (1928) machines of the late 1920s which used steel tape, and the German Magnetophon machines of the 1930s. One of the first Sony reel to reel recorders available in the US was the 553.

What companies make reel to reel tape players?

There are a few manufacturers that are producing new reel to reel tape players. They include Ballfinger, Metaxas and the most recent addition the Thorens TM 1600. If you would prefer a classic machine, United Home Audio, Mara Machines and J-Corder sell completely refurbished reel to reel players. After they have been refurbished some customers prefer the performance of the classic machines to those that are brand new. For the technically inclined there are many reel to reel recorders that can be found on after-market sales sites and through vendor services that can be repaired at home. There are many specialty sites that will allow you to repair damaged or missing items on your current reel to reel machines. Below you will find a brief synopsis about the parts, history, problems, repairs, and intricacies of reel to reel players that will allow you to have a greater understanding of their place and use in the world of recording and how an enthusiast like you can join in the fun.

How to protect tape reels?

They protect the tape by helping to exclude dust and debris as well as preventing the flanges from deflecting and pressing against the edge of the tape. Damaged, bent or nicked reels can also pose a risk to your tapes. RX Reels provide premium protection from this kind of tape damage because the reels are made from carbon fiber and aluminum hubs rather than plastic; they are incredibly strong and not subject to warping, bending or nicks in the same way that a similar plastic reel may be.

What is a tape head?

Tape Head - The tape head is the part of a tape recording or playback device which converts the magnetic fluctuations present in the tape into an electrical signal, which is then amplified and sent to speakers or headphones.

Why do you need to store tape tails out?

It is considered best practice to store your tapes tails out because of a process called “print-through,” which is the process by which the magnetic flux of the tape slightly alters or prints on the layer below . The imprint can create a “pre-echo” for heads out tape storage or a “post-echo” for tails out tape storage.

Why is tape speed better?

The faster the speed, the better the reproduction quality. Higher tape speeds spread the signal longitudinally over more tape area, reducing the effects of dropouts that can be audible from the medium, and noticeably improving high frequency response. Slower tape speeds conserve tape and are useful in applications where sound quality is not critical.

Handling & Care

Tape Half-Life

Tape Thickness and Lifespan

• Elongated playback quality and half-life doesn’t just have to deal with proper handling, storage and care. It also takes into consideration the thickness of the tape itself. For example, a ½” tape is a thicker reel-to-reel tape with the tracks wider and further apart. Due to this, the interaction among signals on the tape will typically last longer...

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Digitizing Your R2R Tapes