Half inch reel to reel tape transfer done right. We convert 1/2 inch two track reels to digital in real time on a fully calibrated Studer A820, delivering clear, accurate WAV files. You receive your audio via cloud download, USB drive, or CD and every transfer is handled in house, monitored throughout, and never outsourced.
1/2 inch reel to reel transfer and digitization is one of the most mishandled services online. Many companies run your master through whatever deck they happen to own, regardless of whether it was ever built for mastering accuracy. Others outsource the work entirely, sending your irreplaceable masters to overseas facilities or untrained operators.
We take a different approach. Half inch two track masters were originally cut on machines like the Studer A80/A820, the Ampex ATR-100 series, and the MCI JH-110, the industry standard decks of the format. Every transfer we perform is done in house on our fully restored, professionally calibrated Studer A820.
A properly restored mastering deck recovers more detail, more stereo imaging, and more of your original mix. If you want to digitize a half inch reel properly, the playback machine is everything.
Every transfer is monitored in real time to ensure accuracy, consistency, and archival quality results.
HALF TRACK STEREO · FULL TRACK MONO · 2 TRACK · 3.75 · 7.5 · 15 · 30 IPS ·
$79.99
1/2 inch reel to reel transfer sounds simple. Drop a reel on, press play, done. That is exactly what most services do and exactly why most transfers disappoint. The quality of your final audio files are determined by two things: the condition of the playback deck and it’s tape heads and the quality of the original master.
Half inch two track was the standard studio mastering and mixdown format from the 1970s through the 1990s, which means the reel in your hands is very likely the only copy of a finished master, a live board mix, or a mixdown that predates any digital backup.
A properly restored, professional grade deck captures everything on your reel accurately and completely. What we guarantee is that nothing is lost in the transfer, every bit of signal on your reel comes through on a fully restored Studer A820.
Our 1/2 inch two track transfer service is simple and secure. Send your reel to us and it is digitized in real time on a professionally calibrated deck, monitored from start to finish by someone who knows what an accurate transfer sounds like.
If your reel is a standard 1/2 inch stereo tape we can transfer it. Every configuration, speed, and equalization standard below is supported, and we handle all of them every day.
1/2 inch reels from the 1970's, 80's, and 90's are at or past their usable lifespan. The degradation is not one single problem, it is a combination of age related chemical and physical processes happening simultaneously, whether the reel is sitting in storage or being played.
Some of it can be arrested long enough to get a clean transfer. Some of it is permanent, and the only thing that stops it from getting worse is getting the audio off the tape. Either way, the recording is not going to improve by sitting in a closet another year.
We assess every reel before playback and repair what we can at no charge. Reels requiring low temperature baking or splice repair are prepared before playback. Reels requiring extensive work beyond normal preparation may be subject to an additional fee, we will always contact you with an assessment and cost before proceeding.
The price is per reel, at any length. If you have multiple reels add the quantity to your cart.
You will receive a digital audio file for your reel delivered in uncompressed WAV format. You will also receive a scanned photo of your original reel box. Your original reel is returned with your order.
We typically complete transfers within 5 to 7 business days of receiving your tape. You will receive a tracking number when your return shipment is created.
Place your reel securely in a rigid box, ideally in its original box or a padded reel case. Do not ship loose in an envelope. Fill any empty space so the reel cannot move during transit. Contact us if you need packaging advice before shipping.
Ship your tape using whichever carrier you are most comfortable with. UPS, FedEx, USPS or any other carrier is fine. We do ask that you use a service that includes tracking. Our mailing address is included in your order confirmation. After shipping please monitor your tracking number. If 3 business days have passed from the date your tracking shows delivered and you have not received a confirmation email from us please contact us immediately.
Just your reel. Include a note with your name, order number and any relevant details about your recording.
Send it to us before attempting to play it yourself. Sticky shed and splice damage are repairable as part of the transfer process at no charge. Playing a damaged or squealing reel without assessment can permanently worsen the condition of the recording.
For commercially produced or clearly sequenced masters we can split your transfer into individual tracks on request. For home and personal recordings or music that was recorded without clear stops between songs, voice recordings, interviews, or live recordings we do not split tracks, as there is no reliable way to do this without making judgment calls about your material. For large orders of commercial reels, with a high track counts across many tapes, track splitting may be subject to an additional fee. We will always contact you with an assessment before any additional charges are applied.
We transfer 1/2 inch 2 track stereo reels at 3.75, 7.5, 15, and 30 ips, and support both NAB and CCIR equalization. Half track stereo and full track mono are both handled, on reels up to 14 inches.
We also offer professional 1/2 inch 8 track multitrack reel transfer, 1/4 inch reel to reel tape transfer, 1 inch 16 track tape transfer, 2 inch tape transfer, and complete analog tape digitizing services for all formats.
Every day is another day of degradation. Our 1/2 inch reel to reel transfer service has been in house since 1996, never outsourced. We accept mail in orders nationwide, ship your tapes to us and we handle everything from there.
