Today, most consumers who have had contact with magnetic recording media tend to associate the format with closed containers, such as cassettes and VHS tapes. What they may not realize, however, is that open designs, such as reel to reel tape recording, were widely considered the finest way to record audio well into the 1980s. Today, a number of artists looking for a richer, more analog sound continue to record in this timeless medium, even if they eventually transfer their music into a digital format.What makes reel-to-reel tape recording better than other methods? Audiophiles and musicians cite the subtle analog effects that naturally occur when magnetic tape is laid in close proximity with other layers of the same material. Slight harmonic distortion in the bass register and some natural compression in the upper register fill the music out in an effortless EQ distribution that many listeners seem to intuitively prefer.
Reel to Reel Lives
Today, reel to reel equipment has grown ever more sophisticated, with rapid tracking and index points that can help users find important tape locations in a flash. What has not changed is the fidelity of the medium itself, celebrated for its singular ability to put a "mastered" sheen on recorded music without benefit of additional post-production. No wonder, then, that a robust secondary market in replacement parts and newer designs for these products has arisen in recent years.
Reel to reel comes in a variety of speeds, each of which corresponds to a different recording quality. Generally, faster speeds are associated with greater frequency response, which is why most professional outfits use either 15 or 30 ips (inches per second) to get the most out of the tape. If you are in the market for quality recording devices and don't want to drop thousands on a DAT system requiring pricey software, reel to reel may still be the best way to go.
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