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Reel-to-reel tape recorders

Reel-to-reel audio tape recording, also called open-reel recording, is the form of magnetic tape audio recording in which the recording medium is held on a reel that is not permanently mounted in an enclosed cassette. In use, the supply reel (feed reel) containing the tape is placed on a spindle or hub; the end of the tape is manually pulled out of the reel, threaded through mechanical guides and a tape head assembly, and attached by friction to the hub of the second, initially empty take-up reel.

Reel-to-reel systems use tape that is 1⁄4, 1⁄2, 1, or 2 inches (6.35, 12.70, 25.40, or 50.80 mm) wide, which normally moves at 3 3⁄4, 7 1⁄2, 15 or 30 inches per second (9.5, 19.1, 38.1 or 76.2 cm/s). All standard tape speeds are derived as a binary submultiple of 30 inches per second. The tape in a compact cassette is 0.15 inches (3.8 mm) wide and normally moves at 1 7⁄8 inches per second (4.8 cm/s). By writing the same audio signal across more tape, reel-to-reel systems give much greater fidelity, at the cost of much larger tapes. In spite of the larger tapes, less convenience, and generally more expensive media, reel-to-reel systems, which first started in the early 1940s, remained popular in audiophile settings into the 1980s, and are filling a widening niche in the new millenium. To enjoy our very informative VIDEO about the "History of reel-to-reel tape recording, please click HERE

To see larger images of our Open Reel Machines please click HERE

OTARI MTR-15

Mastering Tape Recorder

1 Track system: 4-track, 2-channel, stereo/monaural system

2 Motor: Quartz PLL capstan, DC reel

3 Reel size: up to 12.5 inch reel

4 Equalization: AES, NAB, IEC

5 Tape speeds: 3 3⁄4 7 1⁄2 15 30 ips

6 Wow and flutter: 0.04% (30 ips)

7 Frequency response: 40Hz to 20kHz (30 ips)

8 Signal to Noise Ratio: 78dB

9 Total harmonic distortion: 0.3%

10 Crosstalk: 50dB

11 Dimensions: 482 x 300 x 488mm

12 Weight: 46kg


STUDER B-62

Mastering Tape Recorder

1 2-track, 2-channel, stereo system

2 Motor: 2 x reel, 1 x capstan

3 Reel size: up to 12.5 inch reel

4 Equalization: NAB, CCIR

5 Tape speeds: 71⁄2 (15 ips)

6 Wow and flutter: 0.05%(15 ips)

7 Frequency response: 30Hz to 18kHz(15 ips)

8 Signal to Noise Ratio: 61dB

9 Total harmonic distortion: 1%

10 Crosstalk: 40dB

11 Dimensions: 482 x 356 x 220mm

12 Weight: 28kg

REVOX B-77

Mastering Tape Recorder

1 Track system: 4-track, 2-channel, stereo/monaural system

2 Motor 3-motor tape drive, 2 AC driven spooling motors; 1 AC driven capstan motor, electronically regulated

3 Reel size: Up to 10.5 inch diameter

4 Equalization (NAB): 15 ips: 50 µsec / 3180 µsec 

5 Tape speeds 15 ips, electronic change-over 

6 Wow and flutter: at 15 ips less than 0,06% 

7 Frequency response: At 15 ips:
30 Hz ... 22 kHz +2 / -3 dB
50 Hz ... 18 kHz ± 1.5 Db 

8 Signal to Noise Ratio:at 15 ips better than 65 dB

9 Total harmonic distortion: > 1.5%

10 Crosstalk: Stereophonic: Better than 45 dBMonophonic: Better than 60 dB

11 Dimensions: 452 x 414 x 207 mm

12 Weight: Approx. 17 kg

OTARI MX 5050

Mastering Tape Recorder

1 Track system: 2-track, 2-channel, stereo system

2 Motor: 2 x reel, 1 x capstan

3 Reel size: 7 or 10.5 inch reel

4 Equalization: NAB, IEC

5 Tape speeds: 7 1⁄2 (15 ips)

6 Wow and flutter: 0.06% (15 ips)

7 Frequency response: 30Hz to 20kHz (15 ips)

8 Signal to Noise Ratio: 66dB

9 Total harmonic distortion: 0.5%

10 Crosstalk: 55dB

11 Dimensions: 527 x 430 x 225mm

12 Weight: 24kg


AMPEX ATR-102

Mastering Tape Recorder

1 2-track, 2-channel, stereo system

2 Motor: 2 x reel, 1 x capstan

3 Reel size: up to .14 inch reel

4 Equalization: NAB, EIA

5 Tape speeds: 151⁄2 (15 ips)

6 Wow and flutter: 0.05%(15 ips)

7 Frequency response: 100Hz to 10kHz(15 ips)

8 Signal to Noise Ratio: 69dB

9 Total harmonic distortion: <0.05%

10 Crosstalk: 45dB

11 Dimensions: 533 x 482 x 813mm

12 Weight: 126kg

TELEFUNKEN MAGNETOPHON 15A

Mastering Tape Recorder

1 4-track, 2-channel, stereo system

2 Motor: 2 x reel, 1 x capstan

3 Reel size: up to 12.5 inch reel

4 Equalization: NAB, CCIR

5 Tape speeds: 71⁄2 (15 ips)

6 Wow and flutter: 0.03%(15 ips)

7 Frequency response: 30Hz to 16kHz(15 ips)

8 Signal to Noise Ratio: 65dB

9 Total harmonic distortion: 1%

10 Crosstalk: 48dB

11 Dimensions: 308 x 645 x 525mm

12 Weight: 53kg

OTARI MTR-12

Mastering Tape Recorder

1 Track system: 4-track, 4-channel, stereo/monaural/multi channel system

2 Motor: 3 x DC servo

3 Reel size: up to 12.5 inch reel

4 Equalization: NAB/IEC/AES

5 Tape speeds: 71⁄2 15 (30 ips)

6 Wow and flutter: 0.04%(30 ips)

7 Frequency response: 60Hz to 29kHz(30 ips)

8 Signal to Noise Ratio: 73dB

9 Total harmonic distortion: 0.15%

10 Crosstalk: 55dB

11 Dimensions: 1156 x 584 x 660mm

12 Weight: 113.4kg

TASCAM ATR-60

Mastering Tape Recorder

1 2-track, 2-channel, stereo system

2 Motor: PLL (Phase-Locked Loop), DC, Direct Drive Capstan Motor

3 Reel size: up to .12 inch reel

4 Equalization: NAB,CCIR

5 Tape speeds: 30 (15 ips)

6 Wow and flutter: 0.05%(15 ips)

7 Frequency response: 30Hz to 26kHz(15 ips)

8 Signal to Noise Ratio: 73dB

9 Total harmonic distortion: <0.8%

10 Crosstalk: 55dB

11 Dimensions: 570 x 820 x 1200mm

12 Weight: 110kg

OTARI MTR-10

Mastering Tape Recorder

1 Track system: 2-track, 2-channel, stereo/monaural system

2 Motor: 3 x DC servo

3 Reel size: up to 10.5 inch reel

4 Equalization: AES, NAB, IEC

5 Tape speeds: 7 1⁄2 15 (30 ips)

6 Wow and flutter: 0.03% (30 ips)

7 Frequency response: 50Hz to 20kHz (30 ips)

8 Signal to Noise Ratio: 79dB

9 Total harmonic distortion: 0.15%

10 Crosstalk: 40dB

11 Dimensions: 482 x 400 x 177.8 mm

12 Weight: 70kg