THE BEST SOUNDING FORMAT (part I): 4 Track Reel to Reel Tape & Recorders 

Great video. As I entered my 40's, I started to revisit the music formats I enjoyed in the past. Within the last 2 years got the vinyl setup, cassette tape and looking into reel to reel. I really enjoy the interactive experience with those formats that are not available with digital formats. Thanks again for the information!

Thanks for taking the time to put this together! I was an avid reel-to-reel collector in the 70's.I have plenty of Ampex & Columbia tapes at 7 1/2. I still have 2 TEAC & 1 Dokorder machines which I haven't touched in years. It's time for eBay. Thanks again for putting this together!

Its a great joy and suprise to so many reel to reel tapes to gather, never seen such a collection in my life , must thanks to the people who has done this

Love your walk down memory lane . In 1978 I bought a TEAC - 2300SD . In 1979 I bought a TEAC - 3340 -S . They served me well until 2013 when the motor bearings dried up and seized . In between those years I had worn out the gaps on a few channels .So all 4 heads were replaced . The Memorex , Basf , TDK , Sony ,Maxell and Scotch 3M tapes where the ones I used and still have . When you buy the best tapes the binder never wears out . I can't say the same for the 456 Grand Masters of Ampex . Those binders turned to glue and properly buggered everything up . I had invested heavily due to the claims made by Ampex Corporation . In the end I lost my shirt in that fiasco . I now use Teac cassette decks . Not the same band for the buck , but pretty fine sound for a 68 year old . Yours truly .......Dudley Rathborne

I still have my 1974 Akai 4000DS and it still works perfectly even in 2020. The sound quality is outstanding! and the reliability speaks for itself. Did Akai imagine it would last well over 40 years in 1974? Built like a tank and to a standard not a price!

Paper never died. Vinyl is coming back. REEL 2 REEL WILL BE BACK !!!! Calligraphy is back. Woodworking is back. Screw the fake new trends that only are designed with planned obscolescence in mind !!!

Excellent and informative video, thanks for your efforts. Keep up the great work 👍

Great video! I am looking forward to seeing the next videos in the series. I have a TEAC A-1500-W reel to reel in beautiful shape. I have been running FLAC files through a Cambridge Audio upsampling DAC, and recording onto high bias tapes. I have been getting some great sounding recordings! I like 7 1/2 IPS also. Thank You much for the video!

It always makes me smile when you say typology. Love it 💗

Cavolo, ma sei Italiano! Hai tutta la mia stima, sempre più raro trovare gente appassionata e che faccia questi generi di video, così ben spiegati. Corro a vedere la seconda parte.

That's a nice machine! I really like your detailed instructions.

You sure love the word "typology". Very educative video btw.

MAN KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK TAPE GURU!

Incredible information! What a lesson! Thank you 🤟

Hi, thank you for the great series, I am just starting to try reel to reel thanks to your videos!

I have a Technics 2-Track, AND an Otari MX-5050, AND a TEAC A3340S. I’m an Oboist/Guitarist. Dad was a professional Pianist. Tape! What a big warm beautiful sound!!!!

Nice!!! Wow i love this channel ✌ Soon you'll have me hooked on this type of equipment 😅

I have a Pioneer RT-1020L machine that works beautifully! Back in the mid70s I owned a Pioneer RT-1050 two track. I miss that machine.

I am lucky to have a working Akai GX-747 purchased in Germany early 80's. I am having it restored by Muse Audio Service located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I cannot wait to get it back from these talented folks at Muse. The 747 is an awesome tape player/recorder, I am using a DBX noise reduction unit with it and a DBX 1BX as well. I kick my self for not getting the DBX 3BX when I had the chance. Reel to Reel is the way to go...

Take a shot when he says “typology” 🥃

Very informative video!!

I am also a fan of tape....I currently have 2 Pioneer RT-1020s, a Pioneer RT-707, and a TEAC X-1000R (w/dbx). Also a couple of high-end cassette decks, a Pioneer CT-F1250, and a TEAC R888-X. Love `em all ! :-) The best-quality pre-recorded R2R tape in my collection is "Vivaldi`s Four Seasons", with Lorin Mazel directing the Orchestra National de France, Sound quality is incredible. Thanks for sharing your videos !

I recently got a TEAC A-2300SX for next to nothing. It's in almost perfect condition! It came with a NOS sealed reel, BASF LP35. I swear, unwrapping the cellophane on a 40+ year old tape is surreal.

Lots of good information thanks a lot. last year I got ahold of a Tascam 32 2 Channel I think it just needs a belt and some lubrication should be good to go thanks again.

I used to be the buyer and general manager of a store in central London called Teletape. We specialised it tape recorders and tapes. We used to import prerecorded reel to reel tapes from America and we also sold the machines to play them. Over time prerecorded reel to reel tapes fell out of favour with the introduction of high end cassette recorders like Nakamichi. A lot of people would buy the vinyl records and make cassette tapes from the records and settle for that.

When I was a kid a friend of mine introduced me to Reel to Reel. His brother was in Vietnam and had brought home a couple of machines from Japan. He still has them and they have been treated very well. I don't remember brands or capabilities.

Great explanation, thanks!

I’m considering buying a stereo reel to reel machine, but is it going to be better than a cassette deck with Dolby S ? I had a mono reel to reel fidelity machine for Christmas in the 1970’s it was a 4 track machines that ran at 3and 3 quarters IPs and remember it being vastly superior to the cassette machine of the day .

I have a half track Revox B77. What were they smoking when they came up with the four track? These units are and can be unnecessarily-complicated - especially with auto reverse.

nice recorder you have!

i had a Voice Of Music Circa 1953 reel-to-reel i loved it

Cool I came across a Pioneer 1020; what is the value of these units on the market? Also have a Pioneer 770 rack mount model; where can I find the current value of that unit? Let me know. in case I wanted to sell them or just so I know. Thanks

I for one would love to see more time spent on the Technics RS - 1500 through 1800 series, their qualities and what it was about them, that made them so darn good and sought after. Thanks!

I have an revox G36 2 track. is this machine able to playback 4 track tapes ? i have som four track tapes but i hear also the back track. let me know

Hi you seem like someone best to ask this question. I would like to buy a Reel to Reel for sampling my music back into my DAW when working with music to give it some tape love. Would I be ok with something like an Akai 4000D for example using 7.5ips or would you say something like a Otari Mx5050 2 track would be much better? Like is there a huge difference in what I'll be using it for. Running vocals, drums and various stems to gain some tape love and experimentation? Maybe you haven't used these machines in this way. Thank you in advance and great video.

I have 12 machines in my stable. Yes... I love tape!

I have a Revox A-77 that still works beautifully, purchased in 1974.

u are real good thank you J.P.

I agree I'm getting a akai gx 210D. I still enjoy LP

Just come across your channel great tutorial and explanation how the different systems work looking forward to watching more as I catch up with your channel. I could do with a bit of advice I bought a Akai GX4000D with quite a few tapes it sounds great and records fantastic not problems. I just have one issue which i could do with some help please it's with one of the breaks it goes fast forward and stops perfect no slack tape. It rewinds and stops perfect no slack tape. But when I play a tape and stop it sometimes it leaves some slack tape just after the pinch roller is this one of the breaks and if so which break do you think requires adjustment will it be the tape up spool or the supply spool as its hard to tell when watching it. Thanks in advance keep up the good stuff i have lots to learn about this great hobby.

Hello, you doing really great job!!! Excellent knowledge base for people who don’t know to much, but love music and want to get better and better. What you suggest about first real to real tape deck. I won’t to start but don’t know with what.

I've always used a reel to reel. My first recorder I received as a gift, I was 9 years old. I am 57 now and I'm still using them. I have 2 Pioneer decks A RT909 and a RT707. I have a Tascam 32 for 2 track and 15 inches per second speed. You can't beat the sound quality of the 15 ips speed.

cool and well explained !

I agree , reel to reel is much more like a live performance than nearly every other format

If I may, I'd like to make an important observation concerning magnetic tape. First, all decks are slightly different when it comes to play, rewind, and fast forward tension. The decks were older, and so are the reels. So, because of tension differences between decks, and playing a reel that hasn't been played on YOUR deck, I suggest playing at correct play speed in both directions BEFORE you use the fast forward or rewind functions. That is one sure way to break a tape, or stretch the tape, both undesirable! How was the tape stored in the last 40-70 years? A garage in Michigan? An attic in Louisiana? Some tape manufacturers were better than others in thickness, oxide particles etc. I recently got a batch of records that included a professional 1/4" 10" reel. The tape was like ...sticky tape! As if it was soaked in glue. I unscrewed the reel and the tape was as solid as a rock. I threw out the solidified tape and gained a Scotch 10" empty reel :-)

Nice, really helpful. I have from my dad a Sony Tapecorder TC-530 and some 7 1/2 cassettes of Andy Williams but we don’t have the power cord to give it a try again, hope to find one compatible. This device is from what year? Do you know? What artists can i found in this format? In ebay they are just a few, more soundtracks of movies than rock bands or other artists. Thks

Nice I never new about the different speed on those tape I know they sound good but I never bought one cus is expensive n hard to find those tape on the music I like that dope bro fresh 👍😎

Hello!!! Can I get some help I want to get as my first reel to reel player the revox a77, Im looking for something that is good and can still look good on my room should I get this one?

Teac a-3340 or Teac x-1000m. Which is better?

my fav is old analogue 45,s but i did hear a reel to reel as a kid & my memory was it sounded much better than tape cassette.but a very very long time ago but me im getting into recording so i have an old tape 8 track.but put it this way everything was recorded using tape fuji tape has stood the test of time & sounds as good as the day it was recorded.also i was recently just given a box of about 100 old tapes by my mums friend.some rare ones for sure all of them are the faster tapes so i might get a machine & listen also the machine look,s great fine post peace...

Here's a different reel to reel story...I was a 12-year old audio nerd. I had a Wollensak 4-track in my own modest, but decent system. I was wanting so bad to get a pre-recorded reel to reel tape of any rock music possible.so I went with my sister to Birmingham, Alabama because she had to go to her optometrist for her contacts. This was summer of '71. She was looking for some place called Godwin Radio that was supposedly stocking some pre-recorded reel to reel titles. Some girl ran a red light turning in front of us (she was to only turn when it was green and clear) and me an my sister ran into the front corner of her. It crushed the front end of my sister's Kharman Ghia (orange no less) which was less than two years old. Thank goodness we were safe but the other driver had no insurance which was not unusual back in those days. So to this day, and I'm 60 now, I've never bought a pre-recorded reel to reel tape yet I still have a reel to reel macine.

Thank you so much for the informative vid! I am a beginner, somone offers me 4 track 7.5 tape, does my Akai 4000ds good for that speed 7.5?

You need to make a t-shirt that just says "Typology"

Where do you buy theese original tapes? I have a Phlips N4506 totally restored.

Man your killing me, I want to buy some.

It's a good archival format too. For historical thingies and important audio :3

Top quality of recording

Can you maybe assist me with some advice on the following: Will it be possible to use (play) a 8-Track Recorded on 1/2 inch Tape on a 16-Track 1/2 inch machine ??? Will highly appreciate the feeback. Regards. GN

I have AKAI GX650D and I love it!

I have 2 TEAC 80-8's that I bought for my coffeehouse. I was going to get at least one of them working properly and even bought some spare parts. I am just too old to mess with it. They are 8 channels which is what I wanted for live music recordings. I have so many other decks to deal with.

If i want the best quality recording , do i need then dbx or dolby , or is recording without these better.

I have a Roberts 778X. It's a Great machine. Has the 8 Track in the side and works Great. I have the 15ips capstan drive also.

Okay, how does a 3.75 ips recording on a R2R compare to a recording onto metal or chrome tape with a Nakamichi dragon or ZX-7 or 9 please?

hi, i liked your presentation. are there any r2r decks that play both 2 and 4 tracks?

why is the knob on the otari important? Black Knobs white knobs?

What Model do you suggested for a High End Freak but a simple audiophile Music Lover? Merry Christmas. Jan

Thanks for your marvellous video - I have a REvox B77 I bought recently - I have a small collection of LP which I started to buy in the 70's and I am still buying LP . Question can you advice where to buy such pre recorded Reels on the web ? ? ebay ? what else ? thanks daniel

Thank you so much for posting this - I was hearing about this format and I'm learning so much. Do you have any tips on where to find 7 1/2 inch pre-recorded for a good price as well as blank quality tapes? I'm considering getting an Otari MX5050 (not sure on the model yet but likely the BQ ii2 model..) I am open to any suggestions on machine too, but I really like that the Otari seems so serviceable and parts are readily available.

Where u bought d led zepprelin 7 1/2 ?

Lots of great decks out there. Tandberg makes some great ones.

I have a revox B77 MKII with 2 tracks and two speeds ( 3 3/4 ips and 7 1/2 ips ) , which kind of reel to reel tapes I should buy to be able to read them ? thanks for your help

Hi, I would like to buy a Philips N4520 or a Tascam 34. Which one do you prefer? Do you know which NAB adapters are good for these machines? Do I need original one or use the cheaper, universal one? Best regards, Peter

It's worth mentioning that the continued development of cassette decks was imperative, but even at it's peak the format still never became as good as reel to reel.

very good reel to reel :0

Hey thanks for the video! I have a few questions: is it possible to convert a digital stereo source from dac to reel to reel on a 4 track machine(technics 1506) with the highest possible fidelity or is the machine designed to leave space for the remaining 2 tracks on the tape? If 2 tracks remain empty, can I run the same source through the empty tracks to make it *full*(I have only one stereo dac)? How can I make sure the second run lines up with the original print? Sorry if I'm not making any sense, I'm eyeing a used 1506 thats on sale for 500$. Demoed it, will need some work but I can handle repairs and send the heads to JRF for a refurbish.

I would be interested in knowing how often you clean your tape path and heads? For instance, do you follow the same cleaning procedure with your reel to reel tapes that you do with your vinyl records? In my own experience the tapes we buy on eBay are quite old. I find playing these tapes leaves more of an oxide trail than compared to playing brand new tapes. I am cleaning my reel to reel deck more often than I ever used to just to keep from having a build up of gunge on the tape path and heads - which as you know, if left uncleaned over time will create a buildup of dirt that will affect sound reproduction.

What make and model of open reel machine is that in the background? the styling looks like a Philips.

11:22 no leading tape in green and red? When I bought blank tapes, they were equipped with green nonmagnetic tape in the beginning, red in the end, both I could use to write the tape's name on it.

Great video, thanks! Are those license reels? Great rarity? What is the price of one, at least approximately?

heyy, what camera do you use sir?

I have a reel to reel tape with my husbands grandmothers voice from an old answering machine. The machine recently stopped working and I would like to be able to record it digitally so he can play it without the old answering machine. Do you have any recommendations for anyone who could do that for me?

you didn't play the beatles one, I wanted to know how the bass in come together sounded. the music you played sounded too "thin" and "tinny", I assume it was supposed to sound like that, right?.

Ahh the 70s. My bud was running crowns. 2 of each dc60, dc150 , dc300. On jbl components. Including 15 inch woofers. Recorded vynil on a a77 at 15ips.. tt was a thorens with an sme arm and shure v15 , stanton 681eee and a few others. . Source was vynil masters.

How about vinyl? Vynil or Cassette tape, wich is the best?

I confess right away that I know nothing and haven’t even listened to this entire video yet, but I have a question. Is reel to reel music available direct from the manufacturer like records and cassette tapes, or was the point to record live audio and/or dub music from other media types to this new type? My parents have a machine that they used when I was a baby to copy their records onto for some reason, and I would like to have it but I’m not sure how to use it. My husband was like “oh, so it’s like an iPod” since it seems like they were recording their favorite albums/songs onto one new seamless recording (not having to switch sides, etc). I’m confused, but I think I want their reel-to-reel machine since they don’t want it anymore.

love my reel to reel, just a cheap old Sony, but I made some videos with it too.

It is why I liked computer type of a reel to reel, you need just to put a tape on and the rest will be done by the mechanism itself. It is a very convenient.

I really need help , I have one reel and I do not know what its ips ! So I want to buy the top one to make sure it will play it with no issues , I end up with OTARI mx5050 and AKAI gx 630D SS , can u help for whom I have to go with ? I want one support 4 track and All speed ( ips ) 7 1/2 , 3 3/4 , 15 Help me plz

Where can you buy blank tapes for recording I always bought TDK or maxell 10-1/2 reels of blank tape who sells it now please help me I have 2 Teac x 1000 RBl units. And I am thinking of buying the Revox if they release it to the public again. Revox had the B77 and they made another prototype unit to be tested.

I love tape. I still do more tape than most humans. I got into the consumer 4 tracks several years ago. They CAN sound amazing, but they rarely do. The tapes were usually bin looped and very little care was taken in production. The B side program material leaking througb in quiet spots is really a killer for me. No matter how well your machine is setup, its gonna happen. They were usually made with low levels to keep bleed and other problems minimized. That means a higher noise floor. That being said, I have videos of bunches of them over on my channel. I finally gave up uploading them all, because YT strikes them. I transferred my collection to DSD and havent looked back.

1970s technology, no new recordings since then. eye wateringly expensive media. This format is nuts.

What do you think about Akai gx 4000db?

Btw, what's your opinion on elcaset?

can you buy Scully tape recorder

What is your opinion about pioneer rt-707

THANK YOU ! 😭

I'm sorry my ignorance or fool question, I'm from Brazil, but what is exactly the meaning of 4 tracks? Are you talking about what? Thank you a lot!

Newbie question as I am starting to get into this hobby, I see that RTM is recommended for a source of new tapes, what type do you recommend for a Revox B77 MK2? Its a 2 track unit. I am after the best quality tape that the unit can handle. Would the SM900 or SM911 be ok? I gather its 1/4 inch width tape I want for this unit? I gather the unit would need to be recalibrated to work with that tape?

Where to purchase Reel-to-reel recorders, I use to have one in the 70s when I worked in radio.......

As an audio / recording engineer with 50+ years' experience, I will only say that were it not for the hiss, wow, and flutter, analogue tape - and the associated audio chain - would certainly be the best sounding of all. The 'sampling rate' is infinitesimal (no nyquist!) and the natural warmth is something few ears now would appreciate. However, these analogue devices were far from "pure" especially the tube ones which added harmonic distortion (of the pleasant 2nd order) and intermodulation distortion. Wonderfully pleasing to the ear, but not accurate. From the moment the sound waves from the particular instrument or voice in the studio impacted the microphone diaphragm (or ribbon), the additions began. Thru the mic and its preamp, to the console input, its preamps, line amps, to the tape machine and it's circuitry, then on the the mag tape, back off the tape through the tape machine back to the console, through the console and back to the mixdown tape machine again. Then to mastering - and before finally being committed to a lacquer groove (where it once again becomes a physical representation of the original soundwaves) a trip through more electronics yet again. Yes, analogue sounded wonderful, but it was anything but true and accurate. Were digital to have sampling rates up in the megacycles, we'd have a better approximation of real analogue sound and without the added distortion. I for one, do not miss the hiss, flutter, and wow....and I sure as shit do not miss doing full record/repro alignments on a Dolby-equipped 24 track tape machine.