Our 1 inch reel to reel tape transfer service records your 1" (one inch) 16 track and 24 track analog reel-to-reel tapes to multiple digital audio files in the .wav or .aiff format at 44.1, 48, 96 or 192 kHz at up to 32-bit. This audio tape to digital conversion lets you remix the tracks in a modern PC- or Mac-based digital audio workstation like Pro Tools, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic Pro X, GarageBand, or Reaper. Two track mixes can be played on any modern PC, Mac, or mobile device, converted to FLAC or MP3, or used for a remastering project.
1" tape was used by many studios in the 70s and 80s around the world, but digitizing allows for safekeeping and for editing and mixing digitally. This is also critical to preserve the recordings, since magnetic tape has a finite lifespan. We also provide tape baking services for older unstable tapes. Contact us now for a quote and directions on sending us your tapes.
What to Expect
- Get in touch — Contact us with details about your project: how many tapes, track count, 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 inch multitrack decks (such as the TASCAM 85-16B, MS-16 and MSR-24) with proper azimuth alignment and speed calibration, captured track-by-track to digital 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 inch Playback — real-time transfer on maintained 1" multitrack decks with proper azimuth, bias, and speed calibration for each tape
- Tape Baking Available — in-house restoration for sticky-shed tapes before playback, preserving fragile magnetic media
- Per-Track Stems — your 16 or 24 tracks delivered as separate, time-aligned files ready to drop into any DAW
- Sample Rates up to 192kHz / 32-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 and bands with unreleased multitrack sessions, demos, or masters on 1 inch tape
- Families preserving home recordings, oral histories, and personal archives
- Audio archivists, libraries, and universities digitizing tape collections
- Record labels preparing catalog reissues, box sets, or remixes from original masters
Machines like the TASCAM 85-16B tape multitrack recorder can record 16 tracks of audio on 1-inch (2.54cm) magnetic tape. Other models like the Tascam MSR-24 record 24 tracks on 1-inch tape. 3M introduced the first 1-inch machine, the M-23, which was an eight-track recorder in 1966. It remained in production until 1970 and was used by many top studios worldwide including Abbey Road Studios in London. The 16 track format became available a few years later.
1" tapes are subject to "sticky shed" syndrome — the breakdown of the binder (glue) holding the oxide particles on the tape — especially older AMPEX/Quantegy and some 3M/SCOTCH formulas. We have mastered the process of treating and rescuing these tapes (even those suffering from severe sticky shed) by baking them at a precise temperature and duration. Let our team of seasoned engineers handle the delicate process of saving your recordings, giving them an infinite lifespan in the digital domain.
Related Transfer Services
- 2-inch 24 & 16-track tape transfer — the widest professional multitrack format
- 1/2-inch 8 & 16-track tape transfer — 8 and 16-track reels and stereo mixdowns
- Noise reduction decoding — Dolby A, Dolby SR and dbx encoded tapes decoded as part of the transfer
- All audio tape and media transfer services
Before You Send Your Tapes
- What is a track sheet? — send it with your masters if you have one
- Choosing a sample rate and bit depth — 48kHz, 96kHz or 192kHz?
- Audio Tape Transfer FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a 1 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.
Will I get each track as a separate file?
Yes. We deliver your 16 or 24 individual tracks as separate, time-aligned WAV or AIFF stems, so you can import them straight into Pro Tools or any DAW and remix. A stereo or mono reference mix can be provided 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 32-bit. You choose the settings based on your intended use — archival, remixing in a DAW, or mastering for release. File delivery via download link is included at no extra charge.