Old 1/4" tape To WAV or MP3
Old 1/4" tape To WAV or MP3
Author
Discussion

JonV8V

Original Poster:

8,194 posts

154 months

Saturday 5th December 2015
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I've just been given an old 1/4" tape reel which has a conversation between my aunt and I from when I was about 3 years old. I've seen places converting cine films but not tapes. Any suggestions?

JulianHJ

8,871 posts

292 months

Saturday 5th December 2015
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Look up local recording studios - hopefully they'll have the kit.

NiceCupOfTea

25,606 posts

281 months

Saturday 5th December 2015
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ebay for a cheap to reel to reel? Then sell it back on. Love the clunks of a nice reel to reel!

otherman

2,266 posts

195 months

Saturday 5th December 2015
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I ran a service for many years doing vinyl and cassettes to cd/mp3, and occasionally I got asked for reel to reel. Technically its straighforward, but finding someone with the right reel to reel player still working will be the problem. There were a few different formats. Maybe these people can help.

JonV8V

Original Poster:

8,194 posts

154 months

Sunday 6th December 2015
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Thanks, I'll give them a call. i think the recording studios might have 4 track stuff if they still have anything and I imagine this isn't but also worth a thought.

clived

577 posts

270 months

Monday 7th December 2015
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JonV8V said:
Thanks, I'll give them a call. i think the recording studios might have 4 track stuff if they still have anything and I imagine this isn't but also worth a thought.
Most studios would have had stereo 2 track 1/4" and most domestic machines were stereo 4 track (two tracks in each direction, so you could flip the tape over.

Studio machines would also be 7 1/2 and 15 ips. Domestic machines were mostly 3 3/4 and 7 1/2 so depending on how yours is recorded if your local studio still has a R2R in the corner, don't assume all will be well.

LordLoveLength

2,351 posts

160 months

Monday 7th December 2015
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clived said:
Studio machines would also be 7 1/2 and 15 ips. Domestic machines were mostly 3 3/4 and 7 1/2 so depending on how yours is recorded if your local studio still has a R2R in the corner, don't assume all will be well.
Through the wonders of modern technology it is possible (and common) to play in to a computer at 15 ips and equalise / slow down in the software domain.
Don't worry too much about finding the correct speed!

JonV8V

Original Poster:

8,194 posts

154 months

Monday 7th December 2015
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Yes if I can get it at any speed I can manipulate the speed so that's not a worry. I may have an option as a friend on here didn't realise I had the need and he knows an retired old school sound engineer who has a room of kit.

It's one of those situations where I'd almost prefer not to try than to send the tape away and somebody butchers it and loses it forever.

Monty Python

4,813 posts

227 months

JonV8V

Original Poster:

8,194 posts

154 months

Tuesday 8th December 2015
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Monty Python said:
Could well be thx. It looks like a nice drive out there too!