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%
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