Open Reel To Reel

23/07/2025

30 Reel Tape Albums To Listen To Before You Die

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30 Tape Albums To Listen To Before You Die

23/07/2025

Belafonte At Carnegie Hall [8LPs 1-Step Edition]

https://www.thesoundoftape.com/blogs/news/new-8lps-1-step-edition-belafonte-at-carnegie-hall

22/07/2025

NEW 2025 LP Record Release: Pure Analog Sessions. Now For the FIRST TIME On LP Record those 14 tracks performed by Bedford Green and the Kingsize Playboys were recorded during this Pure Analog Recording Session.

Preorder online https://www.thesoundoftape.com/products/bedford-green-and-the-kingsize-playboys-pure-analog-session-lp

22/07/2025

[For Open Reel Audio Tape] End Hold Down Tape 1/4" - Studio Grade

Did you ever open a tape and the end is all scrunched up in the box and the tape pack is loose with some edges of the tape flattened out? This tape prevents the end and your tape pack from coming loose.

This Tape Tail End Hold Down Tape down tape is used to fasten down the loose end of the tape media to keep the tape pack intact before storage. Otherwise the reel tape pack will loosen on reel spool, and you can possibly damage the edges and end of reel tape and recordings.

To make a good hold down tape, there's a delicate balance between too much adhesion and not enough adhesion, and there's many considerations regarding the type of adhesive and base film used. This specially made polyester based hold down tape is designed not to goo or leave residue on reel tape or reel spool at all.

Also, the aerospace grade adhesive is designed for surviving elevated temperatures such as baking tapes. There is no better Reel Audio Tape End Hold Down Tape on the market!

Note: Don't use any other hold down tape to attach the beginning or end of the reel audio tape to a reel spool!

Hold Down For 1/4" Reel Tape Features:

Fixing Reel Tape Tail Ends On Reel Tape Spool
Special silicone-based adhesive - leaves no residue on the tape material
Width: 1/4"
Length: 65m
Colour: Blue / Green / Red
Available format: 1/4"
Quality: Studio Grade
Tape manufactured: From a high-grade Polyester
Base: Polyester
Adhesive: Silicone
Manufactured: Made in The UK

Order Online https://www.thesoundoftape.com/products/audio-hold-down-tape-1-4

Don't Do Music Without It - www.thesoundoftape.com

Your trusted source for audiophile quality music releases and much more

22/07/2025

Reel Tape Storage Conditions Advice

Magnetic tape was developed more than 75 years ago and has shown to be a cost effective storage medium for audio, video and data. BASF has tapes that were recorded in the 1930’s that are still playable today. Never the less, problems will occasionally occur when using magnetic tape. Most causes are caused from careless handling of the tape. If handled and stored properly, magnetic tape is a very good archival medium.

The best storage conditions are as follows;

In the studio the temperature should be between 15ºC-26ºC or 59ºF-78ºF and the Relative Humidity 45%-70%.

In an archival situation the conditions should be 15ºC-22ºC or 59ºF-72ºF and the Relative Humidity 40%-60%.

The conditions of the environment are critical in that they do not vary. The temperature and humidity range listed above are guidelines on what the room should be. The recommendation is whatever the temp and humidity is, it should not vary more than +/- 2ºC or +/-3.5ºF and +/-5% humidity. It is the stable environment that is the key to longevity. Heat and high humidity can cause the tape to absorb moisture from the air (hydrolysis), that can cause the “sticky shed” syndrome some formulas have had in the past. The fluctuation of temperature will cause the tape to expand and contract on the reel or hub causing uneven winding and possible cinching of the tape. The uneven tension of the tape can also lead to edge damage and “cupping”, which is the edge of the tape is not flat compared to the middle and the edge rises above the head during playback. Once the edge is damaged it is very difficult to recover the information from the reel. It is also recommended that the tapes be rewound and then played every 2 to 3 years to exercise them and then store them again.

The tape must also be kept away from magnetic fields, such as electric motors, lights, transformers, power supplies, etc. It does take a magnetic field of twice the coercivity of the tape to affect the recorded information, but some appliances such as a vacuum cleaner can have a field that is strong enough. Needless to say, don’t put tape in a carpeted room and have the cleaning crew come in and vacuum the room. Many of the tapes stored on the bottom shelves may be affected. Weak magnetic fields can cause an increase in print through, large fields and erase the tape.

The reels should also be stored in the tails out condition. This will give the reel a smooth tape pack and even tension across the length of the reel. If the tape is rewound and then stored, you will have uneven tension and possible leafed layers. The reels should be store in the vertical position so the tape is supported by the center hub in the box. Do not lay the reel horizontally as this will put pressure on one edge of the tape and can cause deformation of the edge.

Boxes and any labels attached to the boxes should be made from acid free paper. Acids, which are found in some packaging can act as a catalyst in the chemical breakdown of the magnetic tape when in close proximity to tape over long periods of time. The result can be crystallization of the lubricant or hydrolysis.

Before use, the tape should be acclimatized for a few hours if the temperature of the tape archive deviates by more than ±5°C (±9°F) or its relative humidity by more than ±10% from the conditions in the studio.

Keep all parts of the tape drive mechanism that come into contact with the tape free of debris and other contaminants. All parts of the machine that come into contact with the tape should be cleaned with a suitable cleaning agent (e.g., methyl alcohol) at least once a day.

The tape tension of the machine must correspond to the manufacturer’s prescribed values. A regular check is recommended not just to keep head wear as low as possible, but also to achieve the most careful treatment of the tape possible. Winding the tape too tightly causes deformation of the magnetic coating by the matt back coating and indentations by foreign objects that are wound into the tape. Winding the tape too loosely leads to slipping of individual windings (cinching) and creation of folds and creases when tape is accelerated.

Sweat from the finger contains salts, fats and other chemicals that can damage the tape. For that reason, touching the tape with bare fingers should be avoided.

Never press the reel fl**ges together. Replace any fl**ges that are bent. To prevent edge damage the tape should never rub against either fl**ge.

Source: RTM website

Magnetic tapes are valuable items, so how do we keep them safe? Get Storage Conditions Advice here for maintaining their quality. Read now!

21/07/2025

Guo Yazhi - Sorrow of The River [Crystal Disk CD]

Guo Yazhi is considered one of the best suona players in the world. The woodwind instrument from Central Asia, which resembles the Western oboe, plays an important role in Northern Chinese folk music and is characterized by its powerful, loud sound. Todd Garfinkle of MA Recordings recruited the exceptional musician for this recording in 2007 and released "Sorrow of the River" for the first time on his California label in 2010. Guo Yazhi plays other exotic reed instruments in addition to the suona, accompanied by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.

This album is a gem for anyone interested in Chinese culture. Perhaps most accessible to Western ears is the duet "Reflection of Moon Upon Er Quan" with He Tao, featuring Guo playing soprano saxophone. Audiophile listeners will delight in "The Marriage Journey," with a thunderous, low-frequency drum capable of rattling windows. The titular "Sorrow of the River" is one of the best-known pieces of Chinese traditional music. Guo plays the softer-sounding guan for this track.

Alabum: Guo Yazhi - Sorrow of The River
Label: Modern Audio - M074A-XGL
Format: Crystal Disk Glass CD
Country: Japan

21/07/2025

Tracing the past and present of the 300-year-old ancient theatre, inheriting the 200-year-old Qingqu dream opera rhythm, watching the Sheng, Dan, Jing and Chou rehearsing the Spring and Autumn Period, and listening to the stringed gongs and drums full of human feelings.

In 2014, Ruiming Music joined hands with dozens of Yuan Peking Opera artists to pick up the sound on the spot in the 300-year-old Zhengyi Temple all-wooden theatre.

Producer Ye Yunchuan took the lead in production, and Chinese recording master Mr. Li Dakang and his team personally recorded it, and artistic director Chi Jun supervised it.

This is a combination of ancient architecture and national quintessence art, with a deep aura and a natural sound field. The auditory group image of Peking Opera is formed in a "harmonious but different" way, highlighting the moving charm of Peking Opera's contemporary voice.

21/07/2025

Reference Sampler Vol. 2 - A collection of vocals, percussion, string instruments, and wind instruments.

Crystal Disc uses 2P (Photo Polymer) resin on professional optical glass to form a precise signal layer, and is coated with a pure gold reflective film, which greatly enhances the accuracy of the signal, thereby effectively reducing the bit error rate.

At the same time, it is not easy to scratch or break, and realises the most perfect CD that is not affected by environmental changes.

21/07/2025

Zhao Cong - Sound of China Dance In the Moon (P**a Album)

As a leading P**a performer in China, Zhao Cong is known for her unique style which blends the classic and the modern in grace and harmony. Her innovative and dynamic performance reveals her distinctive versatility and ingenuity. All the songs played by Zhao Cong on this album were written by talented Chinese composer, Ma Jiu Yue. His love of Chinese traditional music and his natural gift aptly demonstrate why his compositions touch our hearts. Besides the beautiful composition of the songs, the production of this album itself yields some very interesting stories.

Firstly, the music attracted the attention of highly experienced and revered Danish sound engineer, Hans Nielsen, who not only owns the largest private recording studio in Denmark, but who has also produced and recorded thousands of albums. Secondly, the project has brought together both Chinese musicians and Western producers to create a superb blend of world music which combines Eastern and Western culture. The marriage of these two different cultures has actually produced an extremely powerful and exotic musical panorama.

Finally, the icing on the cake has been the fact that Modern Audio Limited has released the album, and music lovers everywhere who have been eagerly waiting, can now get their hand on this wonderful international music production.

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Modern Audio - Sound of China - Listening to China - Made in Japan