Modern Pre-Recorded Reel-to-Reel Releases - D.O.A or just really niche?

[Kirk-R]

Hi all 🙂,
I’ve been using reel-to-reel since the early ’90s — mainly for recording, restoration, and archiving work. I love everything about the format. I'm more two track over four track but still play and work with both formats. Even with a massive obsession, I've still only ever bought one pre recorded tape that was something like 350 quid at the time. Bit of a disappointment, it sounded nice but the packing was a bit naff and I just ended up selling it.

I know the format is super-niche but I still wonder if there is a market for reel to reel releases if the price wasn't so insane and the selection so limited. Seriously thought about starting a publishing comany for two track, synthwave and eighties retro style where artists get 50% of the profit and reels are more like 120 rather than half a mortgage. I've seen 'dodgy' issues for more than that but I'm talking about legit licensed recordings. Anyway, I'd love to know about anyone's experiences with R2R recordings that they've bought new or second hand or any thoughts if there's even a market left!

Cheers, Kirk

 

[Jasonovich]

I had dirty thoughts about purchasing a R2R tape machine but costs and practicality had brought me to my senses.

I believe Nativedsd have a collection of R2R titles, the price might bring tears to your eyes! 😅

https://www.nativedsd.com/product/audiophile-analog-collection-vol-1-analog-reel-to-reel-tape/

 

[daytona600]

$400/500 per Tape & $10k-50k for a tape deck

2025 TAS Super Tape List - The Absolute Sound

2025 TAS Super Tape List - Jonathan Valin curates a list of the best- sounding open-reel tapes you can buy.

www.theabsolutesound.com

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Seriously doubt there's a market worth the bother.

 

[abacus]

Niche is an understatement, hence the cost of the tapes.
If you want to make recordings on R2R to sell, the market is practically none existent, you would be better just using a quality ADC to convert it to FLAC and sell that way at a much lower price, which will be better in the long run as sales will be way greater.. (There will be no difference in the sound quality (Assuming you use a quality ADC)

Bill

 

[jjbomber]

Hi all 🙂,
I’ve been using reel-to-reel since the early ’90s — mainly for recording, restoration, and archiving work. I love everything about the format. I'm more two track over four track but still play and work with both formats. Even with a massive obsession, I've still only ever bought one pre recorded tape that was something like 350 quid at the time. Bit of a disappointment, it sounded nice but the packing was a bit naff and I just ended up selling it.

I know the format is super-niche but I still wonder if there is a market for reel to reel releases if the price wasn't so insane and the selection so limited.

Cheers, Kirk

Probably more towards the professional end of the marketplace, rather than the public. Most professional musicians of the older generation used them. Every professional musician I have ever asked has said they prefer vinyl.

 

[Jasonovich]

I just love watching the tape reel go round and round, never mind about the sound, kind of hypnotic.
There seems to be some interest, is this the catalyst or possibly witnessing a renaissance like vinyl?

Below, if you have the time is worth reading.

“The Ultimate Source Component?” Blog post by Jonathan Valin in The Absolute Sound, January 22, 2010​

“United Home Audio’s New Tape Deck and Next-Gen Reel-to-Reel Tapes” by Jonathan Valin in The Absolute Sound, January 23, 2013​

“Reel-to-Reel Tape is the new vinyl: A guide to the latest trend in retro audiophilia” by Rene Chun in The Verge, October 5, 2015​

2023 Editors’ Choice: Tape Decks, The Absolute Sound, March 31, 2023​

 

[Al ears]

I just love watching the tape reel go round and round, never mind about the sound, kind of hypnotic.
There seems to be some interest, is this the catalyst or possibly witnessing a renaissance like vinyl?

Below, if you have the time is worth reading.

“The Ultimate Source Component?” Blog post by Jonathan Valin in The Absolute Sound, January 22, 2010​

“United Home Audio’s New Tape Deck and Next-Gen Reel-to-Reel Tapes” by Jonathan Valin in The Absolute Sound, January 23, 2013​

“Reel-to-Reel Tape is the new vinyl: A guide to the latest trend in retro audiophilia” by Rene Chun in The Verge, October 5, 2015​

2023 Editors’ Choice: Tape Decks, The Absolute Sound, March 31, 2023​

Reel to reel will never be the new vinyl.
Limited choice and cost alone will see to that.
Vinyl only ever made sense if you already owned a turntable, or a turntable only makes sense if you already own a significant collection of LPs.
How many people still own a reel to reel machine?
It will remain a very niche product only affordable to the very well off.

 

[Jasonovich]

Vinyl only ever made sense if you already owned a turntable, or a turntable only makes sense if you already own a significant collection of LPs.

I totally agree on that.

 

[Kirk-R]

I just love watching the tape reel go round and round, never mind about the sound, kind of hypnotic.
There seems to be some interest, is this the catalyst or possibly witnessing a renaissance like vinyl?

Below, if you have the time is worth reading.

“The Ultimate Source Component?” Blog post by Jonathan Valin in The Absolute Sound, January 22, 2010​

“United Home Audio’s New Tape Deck and Next-Gen Reel-to-Reel Tapes” by Jonathan Valin in The Absolute Sound, January 23, 2013​

“Reel-to-Reel Tape is the new vinyl: A guide to the latest trend in retro audiophilia” by Rene Chun in The Verge, October 5, 2015​

2023 Editors’ Choice: Tape Decks, The Absolute Sound, March 31, 2023​

I'm the same, it's about the whole experience of using the format, not just the sound that comes out of teh speakers 🙂