2. analog
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Why not magnetic tapes in stead of vinyl records?

My understanding is that previously, original recordings were captured on magnetic tapes. The recording is then transferred to a metal stamper, which then creates the vinyl records we use at home. But, why don't they just copy the magnetic tape to other magnetic tapes and sell us those? I mean the same size and everything that the engineer uses. Then, audiophiles (at least some) would have nice magnetic tape players in stead of turntables.

I know people did use reel to reel for some time. I remember cassettes. But I don't believe people ever had an interface to play the big magnetic tape reels at their homes.
elegal

Showing 2 responses by harold-not-the-barrel

harold-not-the-barrel
895 posts
 
My good old c-cassette Uriah Heep: Look at Yourself (Island tapes, UK 1971) outperforms a modern Japanese super technology SHM-CD in terms of dynamics and musicality. It simple sounds more right. This c-cassette does have distortions in some extent but to my great surprise not intrusively. As we know, also CD has limitations in sound quality and sounds more or less distorted too, but I really prefer the tape quality limitations. I have always disliked the digital´s edgy and dull sound. My tapes, bought and self recorded sound better than CDs and I have stopped buying music in CDs, unless it´s extremely rare and not available in analog format. My deck is the Nakamichi RX-505 and the CD player is 24 bit. My system is truly high quality in everything I believe. I record LPs to cassette tape and listen them in my car too.

The vinyl LP is my prime source. I would very much like to experience a professional tape deck. I wonder would my surprise be as big as with cassettes...
harold-not-the-barrel
895 posts
 
Totally agree with Atmasphere about tape storage. I have c-cassettes that are over 40 years old and most of them perform just fine. Furthermore I play cassettes in my car in hot summers and very cold winters (28 Celsius minus at lowest).
Certain cassettes are kept many years in my car but never in direct sunlight. Baked or frozen cassettes play nice to me. Of course, excessive heat ruins tape but not excessive cold, heh maybe make the sound more fresh ;-)
Cassettes never sound dull but I have had some worse quality tapes that soon lost higher frequences and become worthless.
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