• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

What's the Modern Purpose of Reel-To-Reel??

U

UnGrounded

Well-Known Member
Okay, this is my first thread on the Tape forum, and I have ZERO experience with R-T-R.

I rarely see R-T-R's and whenever I do, they're on sale.

I am completely ignorant about tape mediums, and I don't mean to sound rude, but what's the modern purpose of Reel-To-Reel?

I recently won a vintage tube stereo console at an auction and someone had put a Tandberg Model 6 in it. On the Tube Audio end of AK, I was informed that this is a great 4-track deck to own.

So, I'm excited for being the owner of an unexpectedly nice Reel-To-Reel but....

WHAT DO I DO WITH REEL-TO-REEL?!?!?!?!

Do I just keep it in my basement and record my band?

Is reel-to-reel only used for recording these days?

Until now I've been recording live music all-digitally on a Presonus Firestudio, but I guess I'll eventually try recording my music on it before mixing and mastering digitally. Is this close to the modern purpose of R-T-R??
 
Register to hide this ad
They're great for playing back pre-recorded open-reel tapes. My mother and I had a great time listening to Sinatra's "September Of My Years" last night, and the sound quality was amazing on my Tandberg 9200XD.
 
I'd love to have a reel to reel. I'd just use it to record my LPs or make mix tapes or whatever. They're cool looking as all get out! If you've got one in good working order, consider yourself quite fortunate.

Modern purpose? I suppose you could say you're a modern hipster cuz you're so retro? Maybe?

Anyway, modern purpose is overrated.
 
I always dreamed about having a reel to reel when I was a kid. Now, I have some of the best made. A lot of it is nostalgia, I suppose. I also have a collection of 8-tracks and decks.:D
 
Is there a market for pre-recorded tapes? Meaning, were there ever record companies producing open-reel albums, or are they all personalized "mix tapes"??

In my opinion, the best quality sounds I get are from a modern mp3 player through a vintage tube stereo. It's crisp, yet warm, and perfectly quiet.

Vinyl is fun, but often too noisy for me. The slighest ticks and pops make me cringe. Only about 10% of my vinyl collection is in "like-new" shape, where noise levels are low enough to be tolerable. So, I can't see myself making mix tapes among my favorite vinyl cuts, but maybe I'll try recording a little guitar on it and see where it takes me.

Also, this Tandberg Model 6 has some very complicated looking guts. It's going to take some serious patience to replace all of those capacitors.
 
Why am I replacing the caps?

Good question. I don't know enough about R-T-R to make a valid decision. My natural inclination is to treat it like every stereo I've rehabed, I always assume any unit old enough to be 100% tube-driven must have some leaky 'lytics. Of course, I should probably invest in a quality multi-meter first before I take the time.
 
UnGrounded said:
Is there a market for pre-recorded tapes? Meaning, were there ever record companies producing open-reel albums, or are they all personalized "mix tapes"??
Click to expand...

The record companys did produce albums on reel to reel. I'm not sure of the exact years. There seems to be quite a good market for them today, likely because they aren't nearly as plentiful and weren't made for nearly as long as Lp's.
 
UnGrounded said:
Why am I replacing the caps?

Good question. I don't know enough about R-T-R to make a valid decision. My natural inclination is to treat it like every stereo I've rehabed, I always assume any unit old enough to be 100% tube-driven must have some leaky 'lytics. Of course, I should probably invest in a quality multi-meter first before I take the time.
Click to expand...
The same rules apply: Replace all Electrolytics, and replace all paper caps. Other varieties you might be able to leave alone, but it depends on the specific caps.
 
UnGrounded said:
Is there a market for pre-recorded tapes? Meaning, were there ever record companies producing open-reel albums, or are they all personalized "mix tapes"??
Click to expand...

Today R2R tape is used only by those that desire the ultimate fidelity of recorded music without any limits. Many (most) of the Hi-End companies purchase them for demonstration purposes at the various shows (CES, RMAF, etc.) to give attendees an idea of how good their products actually are.

In my opinion, the best quality sounds I get are from a modern mp3 player through a vintage tube stereo. It's crisp, yet warm, and perfectly quiet.
Click to expand...

That's probably true, but there are new vistas that you may not have experienced yet.

Vinyl is fun, but often too noisy for me. The slighest ticks and pops make me cringe. Only about 10% of my vinyl collection is in "like-new" shape, where noise levels are low enough to be tolerable. So, I can't see myself making mix tapes among my favorite vinyl cuts, but maybe I'll try recording a little guitar on it and see where it takes me.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you've let your vinyl get pretty dirty, or at least it's been awhile since they've been cleaned, or you have an old or damaged stylus. I have very few records that have any noise, pops or tics on them and many are 40 years old.

Also, this Tandberg Model 6 has some very complicated looking guts. It's going to take some serious patience to replace all of those capacitors.
Click to expand...

Very few worthwhile pursuits are easy. Take your time, do it right and it will get done.

Best Regards,
TerryO
 
AAA3330 said:
The record companys did produce albums on reel to reel. I'm not sure of the exact years. There seems to be quite a good market for them today, likely because they aren't nearly as plentiful and weren't made for nearly as long as Lp's.
Click to expand...

Or they still sound better than anything else.
BTW: Tapes are still being produced, but they aren't cheap!
 
One look thru EBay and you will see alot of prerecorded tapes for sale. Some rock tapes are insane pricewise. I have a few prerecorded, and really do enjoy them. I got a used 10.5" TDK tape recently. I decied to have a listen before I record over it. Seems it was taped around 1992. Sounds pretty darn nice, BUT, as I played the tape, side one went from 7.5 to 3.75 speed several times. Like the person was recording, stopped for a while, then taped another album at a faster speed. Stopped, then started at a slower speed. Too bad, as I have enjoyed all the music :) R2R is obviously just another way of playing music, but, its hard to beat the nice long playtime they can provide
 
krazygrrl said:
One word: nostalgia :D

Besides, they look neat! :yes:
Click to expand...

The other two words: Ultimate Fidelity :music:

They do look neat I suppose, but it's the level of performance that really counts and there's no other medium today (not MP3, CD, Hi-Rez digital files, or Vinyl) that can successfully compete with R2R playing master tapes for Ultimate Fidelity.

Best Regards,
TerryO
 
For the absolute best prerecorded tapes available try:

www.tapeproject.com/

It doesn't get any better that this, I've heard many of these and they've also been compared to other media...absolutely no contest!

Best Regards,
TerryO
 
Last edited:
TerryO said:
The other two words: Ultimate Fidelity :music:

They do look neat I suppose, but it's the level of performance that really counts and there's no other medium today (not MP3, CD, Hi-Rez digital files, or Vinyl) that can successfully compete with R2R playing master tapes for Ultimate Fidelity.

Best Regards,
TerryO
Click to expand...

Okay... perhaps!!!! :nono: You certainly have me there then!! :D

One day, when I get a place with more room, I want one just to be a conversation piece... Reel-to-Reel just looks so totally fabulous! :yes:

Wasn't there, in the late 1970s or early 1980s, some adaptation using the 1/2" VHS video cassettes strictly for sound recordings? I remember reading something about that in an old magazine I think.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom