Our 1/4 inch reel to reel tape transfer service records your stereo 2 track 1/4" (quarter inch) analog reel-to-reel tape to .wav or .aiff files at 44.1, 48, 96, or 192kHz at 16 or 24 bit. This audio tape to digital conversion produces files you can play on any modern PC or Mac, convert to MP3 or FLAC, or use for a remastering project. We can also write 2 track tapes to CD-R. We provide tape baking services that may be required for the transfer of older, unstable tapes. Contact us now for a quote and directions on sending us your tapes. We also transfer 1/4 inch 4 track tape.
What to Expect
- Get in touch — Contact us with details about your project: how many tapes, tape speed, and any special requirements.
- Ship or drop off your tapes — We'll provide our studio address in Lakewood, CA. Pack your tapes securely and ship via USPS Priority Mail or your preferred carrier.
- We transfer your masters — Each tape is transferred in real-time on calibrated 1/4 inch stereo decks with proper azimuth alignment and speed/EQ calibration (NAB or IEC) for an accurate, archival-grade transfer.
- Download your files — Once complete, you'll receive a link to download your lossless WAV or AIFF files. Unlike other services, we don't charge extra for cloud storage or downloads — it's included in the price, no matter how large your files are.
- Get your tapes back — We return your original tapes with tracking information so you can follow the shipment home.
Why Choose Deep Signal Studios
- Calibrated 1/4 inch Playback — real-time transfer on maintained 1/4" stereo decks with proper azimuth and speed/EQ calibration for each tape
- Tape Baking Available — in-house restoration for sticky-shed tapes before playback, preserving fragile magnetic media
- Sample Rates up to 192kHz / 24-bit — archival-grade lossless WAV or AIFF at the resolution you need
- Free File Delivery Included — many services charge $5–$30 extra for cloud storage or downloads. We don't. Your files are ready to download at no additional cost, no matter the size
- Experienced Engineers — your tapes are handled by audio professionals on maintained machines, not outsourced to a mass-digitization facility
- Local Drop-Off Available — in the Los Angeles area? Drop off your tapes at our Long Beach studio
- Trusted by Musicians & Studios — Read what our clients say about working with us
Who This Service Is For
- Musicians preserving stereo mixdowns, master recordings, or live-to-2-track sessions on 1/4 inch tape
- Families preserving home recordings, oral histories, and personal archives
- Audio archivists, libraries, and universities digitizing tape and radio-broadcast collections
- Record labels preparing catalog reissues or remastering from original stereo masters
Quarter inch (1/4") reels are probably the most recognized open reel type in the world. This type of tape has been used in homes and recording studios alike dating back over 60 years. Pre-dating the compact cassette, 1/4" decks were used for recording everything from live studio sessions to dictation. Many record labels released commercial music on this format as well. In a studio environment, stereo 1/4" was often used for multi-track mixdowns, or live recordings (such as a radio broadcast).
In home recording, many consumers used these decks for recording from LPs or radio broadcasts. Many consumer decks were also capable of recording stereo (2 channels) on both sides of the tape, just like a cassette. In 1972, TEAC released the 2340, a four channel, 1/4" reel-to-reel deck which introduced many to multi-track recording for the first time and was sometimes used for quadraphonic home stereo setups. 1/4" reels came in a variety of sizes, with the consumer type being smaller, on plastic reels, and varying from 2" to 7" in diameter.
Professional reels are nearly always 10.5" in diameter and made of metal. Although the consumer use of the 1/4" format is nearly non-existent nowadays, many studios and musicians around the world still use 1/4" machines. However, when it comes to editing, most engineers now choose to transfer reel to reel tapes to digital (aka digitizing), allowing for safekeeping and easy editing in Pro Tools or any other DAW. This is also critical to preserve the recordings, since magnetic tape has a finite lifespan.
Older 1/4" tapes including AMPEX/Quantegy and 3M/SCOTCH are unfortunately prone to "sticky shed" syndrome, due to the breakdown of the binder (glue) holding the oxide particles on the tape. Fortunately, Deep Signal Studios has mastered the process of treating and rescuing these tapes (even those suffering from severe sticky shed). Let our team of seasoned engineers handle the delicate process of saving your recordings, giving them an infinite lifespan in the digital domain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a 1/4 inch tape transfer take?
Turnaround is generally around one week from when we receive your tapes, depending on how many tapes you send and our current workload.
How is the audio delivered for a 2-track stereo tape?
Your stereo 2-track reel is delivered as a WAV or AIFF file (interleaved, or split left/right on request), ready to play on any computer, convert to MP3/FLAC, or use for a remastering project. We can also write 2-track tapes to CD-R on request.
What file formats do you deliver?
We deliver lossless WAV or AIFF at sample rates up to 192kHz and bit depths up to 24-bit. You choose the settings based on your intended use — archival, remastering, or release. File delivery via download link is included at no extra charge.