Reel-to-Reel Audio Tape to Digital Conversion Service

Base Pricing*

We charge by program time on tape. 
1/4" open reel tape only.

  • 30 minute tape $14
  • 45 minute tape  $19
  • 60 minute tape $23
  • 90 minute tape $27
  • Longer tapes: Add 30¢/minute

Before quantity discount. Flash drive additional (or provide your own). Shipping not included. Minimum order $85.

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Reel-to-Reel Audio Tapes

Open reel tapes were king in radio stations and recording studios from the 40s through the 90s, when digital audio came along. In the home market, open reel made it possible to record audio of events and personal reflections, along with music (the first "mix tapes").  "Living Letters" were sent from service people in Korea and Vietnam, as well as other foreign outposts, as small reels were able to be sent by mail before the Internet. 

Because of its versatility, there are a wide variety of speeds, tape thicknesses, reel sizes, track formats and resulting runtimes that make this a very complicated format to estimate, especially if the box isn't labeled.  Please see this article for more on the variables of open reel tape.

If you're looking for reel-to-reel video conversions, it may be an early videotape format. Unfortunately we do not have equipment for open reel video. Or it could be movie film. If it has sprocket holes, check out our film transfer services. 

Options
(Extra cost)

Enhancements:

  • Splice repair, leader
  • Tape resotration (tape baking)
  • Noise reduction/rejection
  • Multitrack mixdown (Four-track 1/4" only)
  • Track separation
  • CD authoring

Deliverables:

  • Flash Drive (standard)
  • CD/DVD ROM
    (for computer)
  • Audio CD
    (for standard CD players)

The Reel-to-Reel Process

We transfer your tapes uisng professional open reel machines capable of handling all quarter-inch track formats and speeds. Your tapes will be digitized at CD quality 44.1KHz/16bit, or studio quality 48KHz/24bit, as uncompressed WAV files. 

These source files are saved as uncompressed WAV files, and are then exported as compressed files (MP3 or other file type) for use on media players.  If the tape has discrete songs, we can split the output files into song files, or export them as tracks on a CD.

What You Get
(Future-Proofed Data)

On your flash drive you will receive two copies, the master uncompressed WAV file, which can be used for editing or transcoding to the next most popular compressed format, and an MP3 compressed version for use in media players. If you requested music track splitting, you'll get a separate MP3 file for each song.

You may also choose to receive output on optical media, either as a computer-readable ROM disc, or a set-top player compatible CD (audio only), Authoring fees apply, and discs have capacity limits.

How it works.

2. Drop Off
3. Pick Up

Turnaround Time:1

Typically within 1-2 weeks. Larger orders may take longer. Rush service available (extra cost).

We're located in NW Columbus, Ohio, very near the OSU airport.
(We accept major carrier shipments if you're not in the Columbus area. You provide the box!)

$85 minimum per order.*

Open Reel Tape Q&A

  • What do I need to provide for an accurate quote?

    You can combine media types with any order and get extra quantity discounts. In the contact form, please specify:

    • The TYPE of materials you want to transfer (Video, movie, stills, etc.) Combination orders are welcome and qualify for greater discounts
    • If a tape, the LENGTH of program on the tape. If you don't know how full the tape is, just report the number on the case, e.g. T120.
    • If a tape, the SPEED at which it was recorded, if you know. 
    • And the QUANTITY of each type of material
    • If items are damaged, describe the problem
    • Whether you want your files on a flash drive or optical drive (DVD/CD)
  • Can you transfer my tapes in stereo?

    Actually, mono tapes are best transferred in mono, while stereo tapes are transferred in stereo. If you have a mono recording, we may be able to add stereo reverb effects to the track. We can also mix down 1/4" 4-track studio tapes to stereo or mono (extra cost for mixdown or effects).

  • How long is my tape?

    Open reel tapes can be in a wide variety of reel sizes, tape thicknesses, track formats and speeds. Please read THIS ARTICLE to determine how long the tape might be. If it's unknown we'll make a wild guess on your estimate, and bill for the actual time found on tape.

  • Why would my tape need "baking?"

    Certain brands of tape had a manufacturing defect. If a tape exhibits "Sticky Shed," the glue that binds the oxide to the tape base has absorbed moisture and turned to goo. This gunks up the fragile tape heads and can even jam the machine. To transfer such a tape it needs to be "baked" in controlled conditions for at least 72 hours to dehydrate it, then we have a few hours to transfer it before it turns to goo again. We will advise you if we encounter this problem.

    NOTE: Tape baking is a temporary solution. It cannot permanently restore a tape. We can offer to transfer to digital then re-record to new open reel tape if you prefer the experience of tape playback.

    More on Sticky Shed and Tape Baking.

  • Can you clean up background noise in a reel-to-reel recording?

    Yes. There are several types of noise reduction we can perform:

    • Tape hiss removal is included in all transfers.
    • Advanced background noise reduction can eliminate environmental noises like AC rumbles or machinery noises. Applying drastic reduction for severe noise may create audible artifacts.
    • AI enhanced speech is now an option, though it is prone to error

    If noise-to-signal ratio is too great, it may not be possible to restore a tape. Advanced noise reduction is an extra-cost option.

  • Can you transfer commercial recordings by popular artists?

    As we understand the Fair Use provisions of copyright law, you may copy purchased recordings for personal use, but the output may not be shared or distributed publicly or privately. You bear full responsibility for any copyright infringement claims.

    It is advisable to purchase your albums as a digital download from authorized sources, or purchase CDs of your albums at a retailer. For out of print titles, try a local used record store or auction site.

  • Can you transfer off-air radio station recordings or "mix tapes"?

    This is complicated as numerous copyright owners are involved. As we understand the Fair Use provisions of copyright law, you may copy such recordings for personal use, but they may not be shared or otherwise distributed. Client bears full responsibility for any copyright infringement claims.

  • What are my deliverable options?

    USB Flash Drive:
    Most of our customers choose delivery on a USB flash drive or portable hard drive. With so many sizes available, we can usually fit all your content on one USB drive. Most modern TV sets and all computers (Mac/PC) will play content from a flash drive. We include instructions on how to backup and safeguard your investment

    CD
    Some customers prefer delivery on CD. While we can put data on a CD-ROM disc, playable on a computer, we must "author" a CD to be playable on a common CD player.  CD has the following disadvantages:

    • Cannot reorder sequence or rename files
    • Difficult to back up
    • Players are becoming rare

    If you order delivery on CD you will also get a flash drive with source files.

  • Can I provide my own disk for output?

    Yes, we support BYOD (bring your own disk). While we normally provide output on our media (cost varies with drive size), you can instead provide a new-in-box (sealed) flash drive or portable hard disk/SSD at no extra charge. We can estimate drive size needed with your estimate, and confirm it when transfers are complete.

  • Can I make my own copies?

    Absolutely! We make no copyright claim on your content, so you are free to make copies (provided, of course, the material is not copyrighted by a 3rd party). If you prefer for us to make your copies, they're available for only the cost of the media.

    Additional copies may be ordered from our master files with or without the source files for up to 3 months following delivery. Our masters are scheduled for deletion after 3 months unless you choose the archive option.

Take the next step.
Let us know what legacy materials you have to see how we can help.
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