1 inch 16 track tape transfer and multitrack digitizing service. We transfer your one 1″ studio master recordings to 16 synced WAV tracks ready for Pro Tools, Logic, Reaper or any DAW. Free tape baking included. 5–7 day turnaround. In house since 1996, never outsourced.
OTARI · TASCAM · MOST 1″ 16-TRACK FORMATS
$174.99
Price includes the digitization of one 1″ 16 track multitrack reel.
If your tape is unplayable or requires additional work in order to transfer, we will contact you before proceeding.
1″ 16-track multitrack tape is one of the rarest formats in analog recording history, only a handful of machines were ever manufactured. We own and operate an Otari MX-70 and Tascam MS-16, kept in full working condition and professionally aligned for every transfer. Your studio master recordings come back as individual tracks, exactly as recorded, ready for Pro Tools or any DAW.
Our 1 inch 16 track multitrack tape transfer process is straightforward. You ship your reel to us, we handle everything else.
Compatibility
OTARI
Professional studio grade 1 inch 16 track tape transfer machine. Runs at 15 and 30 ips. Accepts 10.5 inch reels. The MX-70 is widely regarded as the higher-end option for Otari MX-70 transfer and delivers excellent results when properly maintained and aligned.
Tascam
An earlier Tascam 1 inch 16 track design featuring fully discrete class-A electronics and integrated dbx noise reduction. Runs at 15 ips. The 85-16B is a revised version with an improved capstan servo. Less commonly encountered than the MS-16 but fully supported, studio master recordings on either version can be digitized and delivered as individual tracks ready for Pro Tools or any DAW.
Tascam
Tascam’s dedicated 1 inch 16 track multitrack tape recorder and reproducer. Runs at 15 or 30 ips. Accepts 10.5 inch reels. Compatible with dbx Type I noise reduction. One of the most commonly encountered machines for this format, the MS-16 was a studio workhorse throughout the 1980s and remains our primary machine for 1 inch reel to digital conversion.
OTHER MACHINES
Other 1 inch 16 track configurations may also be compatible with our mail-in 16 track tape transfer service. Contact us before ordering to confirm your machine, tape speed, noise reduction type, and reel size.
If your tape was recorded with Dolby A, Dolby B, Dolby C, Dolby S, Dolby SR or DBX noise reduction we can transfer with or without it applied. Modern noise reduction tools are also available and often produce superior results.
1 inch multitrack tape from the 1970s and 1980s is at or past its usable lifespan. Sticky shed, oxide loss and signal degradation are active chemical processes. They continue whether the tape is sitting in a box or being played even in temperature controlled storage conditions.
The most widely used professional tape formulations of this era are among the most severely affected. Ampex and Quantegy 456, 457 and 499 are notorious for sticky shed syndrome. Scotch/3M 226, 227, 808 and 986 are equally vulnerable. If your studio master recordings were made in a professional facility between 1975 and 1995 there is a very high probability your 1 inch multitrack tape requires baking before it can be safely transferred.
Tape baking reverses sticky shed temporarily. Once oxide has shed during uncontrolled playback it is gone permanently. Your studio master recordings exist on one reel, there is no backup. The longer you wait the more difficult your 1 inch 16 track tape transfer and digitizing becomes and the greater the risk that some material may be unrecoverable.
The price is per reel. If your project was recorded across multiple reels each reel is priced separately. Add the quantity you need to your cart.
With your 1 inch 16 track multitrack reel transfer you will receive 16 individual audio files, one for each track plus a scanned photo of your original reel or tape box. The files are delivered as uncompressed WAV format and are captured simultaneously so they can be dragged directly into any DAW such as Pro Tools, Logic or Reaper and will remain in sync
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.
Use a rigid cardboard box, never a padded envelope or flat mailer. Wrap the reel in bubble wrap and fill any empty space with packing material to prevent movement during transit. If you need help with packaging please contact us 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 tape. Include a note with your name, order number and any relevant details about your recording such as the machine it was recorded on or whether noise reduction was used.
Common signs include squealing during playback, sticky residue on the tape path or the tape sticking to itself. If in doubt do not attempt to play it. Send it to us and we will assess it before any playback attempt.
No. Every multitrack reel is transferred from start to finish as one complete uninterrupted pass. We do not cut between songs or remove sections of the recording. You receive the complete transfer exactly as it was originally recorded. Editing and arrangement is best done in your DAW where you have full control over your material.
We also offer professional 2 inch 24 and 16 track tape transfer, 1/2 inch 8 track multitrack tape transfer, 1/4 inch 4 track multitrack tape transfer, and complete multitrack tape transfer services for all analog formats.
Every day is another day of degradation. Our 1 inch 16 track tape transfer and multitrack digitizing service has been in house since 1996, never outsourced. Mail your reel to us and we handle everything from there.
