Audio Format

DAT

About half the size of a cassette, but recording digital sound. Through the 90s, studios, radio stations and live engineers kept their masters on DAT.

released year
1987
released by
Sony
max. recording length
120 mins
Output file format
MP3 / WAV
DAT dimensions
73 × 54 × 10.5 mm
Sample rate
48 kHz / 16-bit

Fig. 1 — A DT-46 digital audio tape

DAT
Open reel1935Cassette1963DAT1987

§ 01 — Timeline

A short life of DAT

  1. A Sony DAT deck1987
  2. A DAT cassette beside a compact cassette48kHz
  3. Sony PCM-7030 professional DAT recorder1990s
  4. A pile of DAT tapes2005

1987 · 1 / 4

Sony launches DAT

Sony released the first DAT deck in Japan. The tape is 3.81 mm wide like a cassette, in a shell only 73 × 54 mm.

What is Digital Audio Tape?
Fig. 2 — DAT tapes from several makers

§ 02 — Learn more about DAT

DAT

What is Digital Audio Tape?

Digital Audio Tape (DAT) is a digital recording format introduced in the late 1980s and widely used throughout the 1990s. Designed as a high-quality alternative to analogue audio tapes, DAT offered superior sound quality and greater durability.

What are DAT tapes used for?

DAT tapes gained popularity in the professional audio industry due to their exceptional sound quality. Many recordings from the 1990s remain in use today, though the tapes are nearing the end of their lifespan.

Digitise Audio Tape Now

§ 03 — Size comparison

How small is DAT?

DAT next to a compact cassette and a microcassette, drawn to scale. Capture digitises all three.

  • DAT

    DAT

    73×54 mm

    This page
  • Compact Cassette

    Compact Cassette

    101.6×63.5 mm

    For scale
  • Microcassette

    Microcassette

    50×33 mm

    For scale

Roughly to scale (shell width × height, in mm)

Photos via Wikimedia Commons: DAT — Inpriva (CC0) · Compact Cassette — Hans Haase (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Microcassette — Gelpgim22 (Sergio Panei Pitrau) (Public domain)

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How long does DAT tape last?

§ 04 — Came to an End

Your DAT Tapes Won’t Last Forever

How long does DAT tape last?

Production of blank audio DAT tapes reportedly ended in 2015, so even the newest ones are over a decade old. Over time, they can develop mould, damage, or sticky shed syndrome, making playback and data transfer difficult. To avoid losing recordings, it's best to back them up while they're still playable.

Which Digital Format Should You Choose?
Fig. 3 — The waveform once digitised

§ 05 — What Output File Format?

MP3 or WAV?

Which Digital Format Should You Choose?

When digitising your DAT tapes, you can choose between two high-quality formats:

  • MP3 (Smaller File Size, Easy to Share) : Perfect if you want a compact file that you can play on phones, computers, and streaming apps.

  • WAV (Studio-Quality Audio, Lossless) : Ideal for music professionals or if you want the best possible audio preservation.
Digitise Audio Tape Now

§ 06 — What are the benefits of digitising audio tapes?

Relive Your Audio Memories!

Preserve Precious Memories: Tapes wear out and grow mould over time; a digital copy keeps your recordings safe.

Easy Access & Playback: No more searching for outdated tape players—digital files can be played instantly on phones, computers, or smart devices.

Protect Against Damage & Loss: Physical tapes can get damaged, lost, or erased. Digital backups safeguard your recordings from deterioration or accidents.

Revive Your Tapes Now

DAT Digitisation Service Fee

HK$400/ tape

One flat price per tape, whatever its length, delivered as MP3 or lossless WAV.

If a tape has mould or sticky shed, we inspect it and quote for cleaning and repair first.

Capture · Our team

Any Questions?
Feel free to contact
our Memory Specialists

Not sure what format you have or how best to handle it? WhatsApp us and one of the team will take a look.

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