Domestic 1/4" Audio Reel to Reel Conversion | Oxford UK

AUDIO REEL TO REEL OXFORDSHIRE UK  

Open Reel-to-Reel Analogue Audio Tape Conversion to CD WAV or MP3

Domestic ¼” (quarter inch) reels are usually more complex due to the ability of consumers being able to record in different speeds and/or 4-track, mono, or stereo.  Tape recording speed is expressed in inches per second, abbreviated to ips. In general, the faster the speed, the better the reproduction quality . 3¾ ips and 7​½ ips were typically the speeds used for the majority of the consumer market. 

One Direction Mono/Stereo/4 Track  
Two Directions Mono or Stereo
Two Directions 4 Separate Mono Tracks


4-track (also called quarter-track) in that they recorded in both directions, provided double the amount of recording/playback time by allowing you to flip the tape over So a four-track/quarter-track tape records two channels in one direction and two in the other when the tape is turned over, each track occupying a quarter of the total tape width.

Our services support consumer clients in analysing the audio tape and then digitising the audio content. It is impossible to know exactly how long each audio reel is, so we have to guide the cost to the reel length, regardless of content because all footage will need to be converted before we are able to determine what is on the tape.

Please email cheryl@oxfordduplicationcentre.com or call one of our technicans on 01865 457000.

Corporate, Heritage and Consumer Audio Tape Digitisation

Output to Waveform Audio File Format (WAV, WAVE, Broadcast BWF) AIFF, MP3 or CD
16-bit 44.1 kHz (CD) upto 24-bit 192 kHz.  All prices exclude VAT at 20%
CASSETTE SERVICES PER TAPE 1+ 10+ 25+ 50+ 100+
Cassettes, Dictaphone, Mini and Micro Cassettes
Cassettes - upto 60mins 24.00 22.00 20.00 18.00 16.00
Cassettes - 90mins 26.00 24.00 22.00 20.00 18.00
Cassettes - 120mins 28.00 26.00 24.00 22.00 20.00
1/4" DOMESTIC SERVICES PER REEL1+ 10+ 25+ 50+ 100+
Domestic reel to reel - upto 1hr 30.00 28.00 26.00 24.00 22.00
Domestic reel to reel - 2hrs 34.00 32.00 30.00 28.00 26.00
Domestic reel to reel - 3hrs+ 36.00 34.00 32.00 30.00 28.00
Tape baking per unit - if required 5.00
Domestic spool diameters are 3.25", 5" and 7" with recording speeds of either 1 7/8 ips, 3 3/4 ips or 7 1/2 ips and usually quarter-track (4 track) mono or stereo.
1/4" HALF/2-TRACK SERVICES PER REEL1+ 10+ 25+ 50+ 100+
2-track studio master professional tape 7" 30.00 28.00 26.00 24.00 22.00
2-track studio master professional tape 10.5" 40.00 38.00 36.00 34.00 32.00
Prices include baking
Spool diameters are 7" and 10.5" half-track (2-track) stereo running at 15 ips or 30 ips.
1/4" MULTI-TRACK SERVICES PER REEL1+ 10+ 25+ 50+ 100+
4-track professional tape 10.5" 50.00 45.00 40.00 35.00 30.00
8-track professional tape 10.5" 60.00 55.00 50.00 45.00 40.00
Prices include baking
1/2" MULTI-TRACK SERVICES PER REEL1+ 10+ 25+ 50+ 100+
1/2 inch 2-track professional tape 60.00 55.00 50.00 45.00 40.00
1/2 inch 4-track professional tape 70.00 65.00 60.00 55.00 50.00
1/2 inch 8-track professional tape 80.00 75.00 70.00 65.00 60.00
1/2 inch 16-track professional tape 100.00 95.00 90.00 85.00 80.00
Prices include baking

Tape Tracks and Channels
Half Track Stereo -  Broadcast standard .There are two channels recording simultaneously in a single direction. There is no Side"B" offering the best sound quality. As tapes age, the audio is far less affected by oxide dropouts.
Quarter Track Stereo - This format uses a quarter of the tape for each track in order to record on both "sides" of the tape. The tracks in use are staggered, effectively doubling the amount of recording time.   
Four Track - This allows four tracks to be recorded simultaneously, utilizing all of the tape in a single direction. There is no Side "B". The advantage of this layout was that four separate recordings could be made independently.
To enable SMPTE time codes, tracks 1 and 2 were assigned to left and right channels of audio, and track 4 was assigned to the Time Code. Track three was used as a guard to protect tracks 1 and 2 from the harsh distinctive time code sound on track 4.

Our Services within Audio & Video

Audio Post Production and Enhancement Services Oxfordshire UK

Audio Post Production

We support our clients in creating and delivering digital media support through creative processes to bring together the best out of your Audio footage. Our post production staff can piece together your audio projects ready for marketing.

Audio Enhancement

Audio Restoration

We are specialists in audio restoration and transcribing. From complicated audio to general clean ups, we can take your audio in which ever format and restore to an acceptable balance that is suitable for your requirements.

Vinyl to WAV or MP3

Vinyls LPS 78's Voice O Graphs

Professional studio quality vinyl transfers to WAV, MP3 or AIFF files. From rare 78's, LPs, EPs, Albums, Voice O Graph we can convert using our Pro-Tools set up and prepare stunning audio transfers.

Audio  Cassettes to CD or WAV

Audio Tape Cassettes

Professional audio tape transfers to include micro cassettes. From 1 unit to the 100's. To CD or digital files. Printed CDs of family photos can ensure a beautiful bespoke present. Perfect for corporate or private clients.

DAT Tape to CD or WAV

Audio DAT Tapes

Digital Audio Tape (DAT or R-DAT) is a signal recording and playback medium developed by Sony and introduced in 1987. Like most formats of videocassette, a DAT cassette may only be recorded and played in one direction, unlike an analog compact audio cassette.

Audio Reel to  Reel Conversions

Audio Reel to Reel Tapes

Nothing quite matches the pure, warm tones of open-reel magnetic tape. But working reel-to-reel players are few and far between. It's time to fast forward to the present. Everyday we’re converting thousands of feet of audio reels to digital, preserving audio so that you can listen to it again and again.

Our offices are open Monday to Thursday 8am-4pm Friday 8am - 3pm.
29 Banbury Road, Kidlington OX5 1AQ. Parking is available at the front of the building or rear car park.

Contact Us 01865 457000 or email cheryl@oxfordduplicationcentre.com