Tape with no shell, running from one reel to another. Before the cassette, radio, studios and enthusiasts recorded their best sound on it.
- released year
- 1935
- inventor
- Fritz Pfleumer
- Tape width
- ¼ inch (6.35 mm)
- Common reels
- 3 – 10.5 inch
- Tape speeds
- 3¾ · 7½ · 15 ips
- Track formats
- 2-track · 4-track
Fig. 1 — A 7-inch open reel tape
§ 01 — Timeline
A short life of open reel
1928
1935
1948
1963
Today
1928 · 1 / 5
Magnetic tape is born
German engineer Fritz Pfleumer coated paper strips with iron powder and patented it as a sound carrier: the start of tape recording.
§ 02 — Learn more about open reel
Open Reel
What is Open Reel?
Reel‑to‑reel tapes are magnetic audio recordings on open spools, introduced in the 1930s before compact cassettes, and are played with dedicated reel‑to‑reel recorders.
Though delicate and requiring careful handling, they are famed for their outstanding audio quality and were historically used for high‑fidelity recordings of important events such as political speeches.
§ 03 — Accepted sizes
What types of open reel tape does Capture accept for digitisation?
The reel sizes Capture accepts, drawn to scale, with a compact cassette alongside for scale.
≤ 4"
≤ 102 mm
Accepted5" – 6"
127 – 152 mm
Accepted7"
178 mm
Accepted
Compact Cassette
101.6×63.5 mm
For scale
Roughly to scale (reel diameter, in mm)
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Tape reel — Danielteolijr (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Compact Cassette — Hans Haase (CC BY-SA 3.0)
§ 04 — Came to an End
Open Reel Was Replaced
The Fall of Open Reel
By the 1990s, open‑reel audio tape was largely phased out of mainstream use in favour of digital recording. Today, it remains important mainly for archival material that requires professional preservation and digitisation.
§ 05 — How to ensure a long lifespan of open reel?
Tips on storing tape
How to Store?
- Store reel‑to‑reel tapes in a cool, dry place away from heat and light.
- Keep reels upright and stored tails‑out.
- Avoid storing tapes near magnetic or electrical equipment.
Proper storage alone does not guarantee reel‑to‑reel longevity—playback frequency is equally important. Every pass through the machine causes some wear, and how much depends on the tape’s condition and how well the machine is maintained. A well-kept tape on a well-maintained deck can survive hundreds of plays; a worn or poorly stored one can suffer much sooner.
§ 06 — Preserve
Still have old reels?
Every play wears open reel tape a little, and the machines are getting hard to find. While yours still play, digitise them and the sound stays for good.
Open Reel Tape Digitisation Service Cost
HK$600from / reel
Priced by reel size, for reels up to 7 inches, whatever the recording length.
If tape has mould, sticky shed or breaks, 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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