Hi-Fi Hall of Fame
Technology Inductee
Reel to Reel Tape Recorder

Introduction

The reel to reel tape recorder revolutionized the world of high fidelity audio in the mid-20th century. Offering excellent sound quality and versatility, these machines became a staple in music production studios and audiophile Hi-Fi systems. With its ability to record and play back audio with exceptional clarity, the reel to reel tape recorder quickly became synonymous with high-quality stereo sound. Let’s explore the features and benefits of this iconic audio equipment that continues to captivate enthusiasts even in today’s digital age.

Evolution of the Reel to Reel Tape Recorder

The development of the high fidelity reel to reel tape recorder is a fascinating journey that spans several decades and involves the contributions of many inventors, engineers, and companies. Here’s a brief overview of its development:

Early Magnetic Recording

The origins of magnetic recording can be traced back to the late 19th century. In the 1890s, Danish engineer Valdemar Poulsen invented the Telegraphone, an early magnetic recording device that used steel wire to capture audio signals. This marked the beginning of practical magnetic recording technology.

Development of Steel Tape Recording

Steel wire was impractical as a recording medium, leading Ludwig Blattner to develop a recordable steel tape as an alternative. The recorder was dubbed the “Blattnerphone” and the first models were developed for the British Broadcasting Corporation in the 1930s. Those original machines recorded on quarter inch wide steel tape which ran at 5 feet per second. A full spool weighing 21lbs contained just over a mile of tape giving a recording time of twenty minutes.

Invention of Magnetic Tape

Steel wire and tape were expensive, heavy, and impractical as recording media, so Fritz Pfleumer, a German engineer, developed magnetic tape as an alternative. The tape used a magnetic powder coating on a strip of paper or plastic. Here’s a photo of Pfleumner with his magnetic tape recorder around 1931.

AEG Magnetophon

Reel to reel recording took a big leap forward when the AEG Magnetophon K1 was unveiled at the Berlin Radio Fair in 1935. The K1 employed three motors and three heads and used BASF C1 magnetic tape. Performance of that original machine was underwhelming, but two major improvements were quickly introduced. The first improvement was the introduction of ferric oxide tape in 1939; the second improvement was the application of high frequency Alternating Current (AC) bias.

World War II and Advances in Tape Recording

During World War II, magnetic tape recording technology was further refined for military purposes such as voice logging and radio broadcasts. AEG developed a military version of the Magnetophon recorder for the German armed forces.

Post-War Development

After World War II, magnetic tape recording technology was brought to the United States, where it was further developed. Companies like Ampex and 3M played crucial roles in advancing the technology. Ampex introduced the first professional reel-to-reel tape recorder, the Model 200, in the late 1940s. In the 1950s, Ampex pioneered multitrack recording with the introduction of the Ampex 8-track recorder. This innovation revolutionized the music industry by allowing for separate recording and mixing of individual audio tracks, giving birth to modern studio recording techniques.

Consumer Reel-to-Reel Decks

While reel-to-reel tape recording was initially limited to professional settings, it eventually found its way into the consumer market. Companies such as Philips, Bang & Olufsen, Studer, Sony, and Teac began producing compact and affordable reel-to-reel tape decks for home use in the 1950s and 1960s.

Advancements in Magnetic Tape Formulations

Over the years, there were significant improvements in the magnetic tape formulations, which enhanced audio quality and durability. These developments included the introduction of new oxide coatings and various tape widths to accommodate different recording needs. Most audiophiles used 1/4 inch tape from a major manufacturer such as Scotch, BASF, TDK, or Ampex.

Decline and Transition to Other Formats

In 1963, Philips launched the compact cassette format, which made tape recording much easier by enclosing the reels and tape into a small, enclosed shell. Initially, the sound quality was very poor and cassettes were just used for low fidelity audio recording. By the 1970s, manufacturers were producing cassette recorders that could deliver reasonably good audio quality. Reel-to-reel tape recorders gradually declined in both professional and consumer markets.

Digital Revolution

The advent of digital recording in the 1980s and audio streaming in the 1990s further marginalized analog reel-to-reel recording. The era of the reel to reel recorder was, sadly, drawing to a close by this time.

Legacy and Niche Use

Despite their decline in popularity, reel-to-reel tape recording has not disappeared entirely. Audiophiles and recording enthusiasts continue to use reel-to-reel equipment for its unique warmth and fidelity, and some artists still prefer it for its analog charm.

In summary, the development of high-fidelity reel-to-reel tape recorders is a story of continuous innovation and refinement in magnetic recording technology. While the technology has largely been superseded by digital recording formats, its legacy persists in the realm of audiophiles and collectors who appreciate the unique sound quality it offers.

Popular Reel to Reel Tape Recorders

The industry produced hundreds of different recorders, from the earliest models in the 1950s to the end of the era in the 1990s. Some had a significant impact on the recording industry and Hi-Fi as a hobby. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular models.

Ampex Model 200

The Ampex Model 200, introduced in the late 1940s, was one of the first professional reel-to-reel tape recorders. It played a pivotal role in advancing the quality of audio recording and was widely used in the broadcasting industry.

Ampex 8-Track Recorder

Ampex’s development of the first multitrack recorder, which later became the Ampex 8-track recorder, revolutionized music recording. It allowed for the separate recording and mixing of multiple audio tracks, shaping modern studio recording techniques.

Studer A80

The Studer A80, introduced in the 1970s, is often considered one of the best professional reel to reel tape recorders ever made. It was renowned for its exceptional audio quality and reliability and was widely used in studios for mixing and mastering.

ReVox A77 and B77

In 1967, Studer developed an iconic reel to reel recorder for the Hi-Fi enthusiast: the ReVox A77. The A77 was a popular consumer reel-to-reel tape recorder in the 1960s and 1970s. Known for its build quality and audio performance, it introduced many people to high-quality home audio recording. In 1977, ReVox introduced a more advanced model, the B77.

Nagra IV

The Nagra IV, produced by the Swiss company Nagra, gained fame for its compact and portable design combined with exceptional audio quality. It was often used in film production and became synonymous with high-quality location audio recording.

Sony TC-250 and TC-377

Sony produced many fine recorders over the years. The Sony TC-250A was produced in the 1960s and delivered really excellent performance. In the early 70s Sony introduced the iconic TC-377, which sold well and offered excellent audio performance.

Akai 4000DS

Akai was another Japanese manufacturer that produced a number of excellent recorders over the years. The Akai 4000DS was notable because it was inexpensive and compact, and performed well.

TEAC Recorders

TEAC produced many Hi-Fi recorders over the years, such as the entry level A-2300 and the high end X-1000.

These reel-to-reel tape recorders (and many others) played crucial roles in shaping the history of audio recording, from professional studio applications to home use. They contributed to the development of the music industry, film production, and audio technology in general, and their influence can still be seen in today’s digital recording workflows.

Modern Recorders and Tape

A few manufacturers such as Studer, Stellavox, Tascam, and Denon continued to produce reel to reel tape recorders into the 1990s, but eventually sales declined and production was discontinued. After a run of more than 40 years, the era of the Hi-Fi reel to reel recorder seemed to be over.

However, in 2023, when this was written, there were two manufacturers still producing analog reel to reel recorders for fans of the format. Analog Audio Design is manufacturing the TP-1000, and Ballfinger is making the M-063.

Here’s a link to Analog Audio Design’s website:

Here’s a link to Ballfinger’s website:

There are also two companies that continue to manufacture magnetic recording tape and reels: ATR Magnetics and “Recording the Masters”.

Here’s a link to ATR Magnetics website:

Here’s a link to “Recording the Masters” website:

Induction into the Hi-Fi Hall of Fame

Reel to reel tape recorders played a pivotal role in the history of high fidelity audio. They were among the earliest recording devices that allowed for high-quality audio capture and playback, making them instrumental in the evolution of the audio industry.

The best reel to reel tape recorders were known for their exceptional audio quality, offering superior sound fidelity compared to many other audio formats of their time. Today, audiophiles continue to appreciate their analog warmth and dynamic range.

These machines were used in recording studios, radio broadcasting, and for personal audio enjoyment during the mid-20th century, leaving an indelible mark on the music and entertainment industry. Many iconic recordings were made on reel-to-reel tape recorders.

Reel to reel tape recorders introduced several technical innovations, including multiple track recording, variable tape speeds, and different tape formulations for various purposes. These innovations contributed to the evolution of audio recording and playback.

For all of these reasons, the Reel to Reel Tape Recorder is inducted into the Hi-Fi Hall of Fame.