This “side business” started many years ago after a close friend asked me if I could take some old reel-to-reel tapes and transfer them to CDs. I told him I could and would. I have been using analog tape machines since my early recording days and fortunately, I still have my first ones. It made sense to add analog to digital transfer as a studio service.

Like restoring paintings or any other type of old art, retrieving audio from reel-to-reel tape or records can be quite challenging. Some tapes and records arrive in bad condition. Care must be taken in their handling. Special equipment which requires maintenance and calibration is needed to complete the process.

There comes a time when a magnetic audio tape recording will be rendered un-playable. The key is to get the information transferred from the media as soon as possible before any further deterioration can occur. Playing an old tape will most likely cause more damage and high frequency loss, so it is very important not to play the tape.

I truly love this work. I never know what will be on a tape and some of the time, the client doesn’t know either. The most rewarding part of this “job” is to send the client back voices and memories from the past - preserving their family history.

I transfer/convert reel to reel magnetic audio tapes and phonograph records to digital files and CD. Clients include record companies, film companies, artist's catalogs, songwriters and private individuals. Services include analog audio recording, digital audio recording, editing, mixing, transferring, restoration, mastering, remastering. Dehydrating or baking tapes is performed should a tape require it. It is a free service if you have me transfer your tape(s). I also prepare CD masters that are error checked and ready for CD replication.

* Transfer to CD price estimates: Price depends on the length of the recording (running time or playing time) and condition of the media supplied. If you would like a rough estimate of transfer cost, please supply the following information in your email. Tape brand and number (i.e., Scotch #111, Ampex #406). Reel size in inches. Tape width (i.e., ¼", ½"). Tape length (i.e., 1200', 1800'). Tape speed. Usually hand written as a note (i.e., 3¾, 7½, 15 IPS). Indicate If the tape is recorded in one or two directions (sometimes, this is not known until the tape is played). I do not have a flat-rate transfer price beacuse every tape has a different running time. I do not charge for blank portions of tape. I personally do all the work myself.

Analog magnetic audio tape formats I accept for transfer, conversion, restoration and archiving to digital files and CD:

• ½" 8-track reel to reel 7½, 15 I.P.S.
• ½” 4-track and 2-track reel to reel 7½, 15, 30 I.P.S.
• ¼” 2-track, half-track, full-track reel to reel 3¾, 7½, 15, 30 I.P.S.
• ¼” 4-track, quarter-track reel to reel 3¾, 7½, 15 I.P.S.
• ¼” 8-track, eigth-track reel to reel 15 I.P.S.

Other formats accepted for transferring and archive:

• DAT
• Tascam DA-88
• Audio Cassette
• Phonograph Records, 16, 33, 33-1/3, 45, 78 RPM

Tape machines used for tape to digital or CD transfer:

• Ampex ATR-102 ¼” 2-track reel to reel 3¾, 7½, 15, 30 I.P.S.
• Ampex AG-440C ½” 2-track, 4-track or ¼” 4-track reel to reel 3¾, 7½, 15 I.P.S. (also variable speed)
• Ampex AG-440B ¼” 4-track reel to reel 7½, 15 I.P.S.
• Ampex 350-2 ¼” 2-track reel to reel 7½, 15 I.P.S.
• Ampex 300-4 ½” 4-track reel to reel 7½, 15, 30 I.P.S.
• Fostex 80-8 ¼” 8-track reel to reel 15 I.P.S.
• Teac 4330-S ¼” 4-track reel to reel 7½, 15 I.P.S.
• Tascam 80-8 ½" 8-track reel to reel 15 I.P.S.
• Tascam TSR-8 ½" 8-track reel to reel 7½", 15 I.P.S.

Noise reduction units available for transfer:

• dbx 155 type I, 8 channels
• Dolby SR, 2 channels

This is a sample of a 78 RPM disc I received for transferring to digital files and then to CD. The disc was recorded on a home-type record cutter in the late 1940’s as told by the client. The client brought numerous discs to be transferred. All were in horrible condition, probably from poor storage. The disc in the worst condition can be seen in the photo below and was the one used in the following sound sample. What appears to be dust on the surface is actually deterioration of the surface. This record also had a radial crack. Most records in this type of condition are usually good for one or two plays. Playing such records only deteriorates the grooves even more. The key is to get signal off of the record within one or two passes.

This is a sample of a reel-to-reel magnetic tape I received for transferring to digital files and then to CD. The tape was Scotch/3M #150 ¼” recorded at 3¾ IPS ½ track mono. The tape was recorded in Europe by an amateur in 1970 as told by the client. The tape was threaded onto an Ampex ATR-102 (with cleaned heads). After playing a few feet, it was apparent that the tape was shedding from the Polyester backing. The tape was removed from the machine and immediately “baked”. After the baking process, the tape was successfully transferred to digital files.

When a tape is played on a tape machine tape shed is obvious after playing from a few feet or so. When shed happens, the tape should not be played any further until it can be properly baked. Trying to play the tape without baking will cause the iron oxide to come off and clog up the heads and tape path mechanisms and cause terrible squealing sound that can be heard close to the clogging heads and mechanisms. The squeal can also be heard in the transfer. Playing a shedding tape can also destroy precious high frequencies on the tape and render the tape unplayable.

Before the client brought the above tape to me, he had taken it to someone else who was not aware that the tape needed to be baked. He made a digital transfer for the client. This is a sample of that transfer. The sound of “shed squeal” is obvious in this sample. Luckily, the tape was not ruined and I was able to make a successful transfer.