Analogue Tape

What is analogue tape?

A thin strip of plastic coated in iron oxide that’s brown in colour.

What does analogue tape being coated in iron oxide imply?

It’s ferrous, meaning it can be magnetised when placed near a magnet.

When was analogue tape used to record sound?

From 1945-1990, but is still used by some producers to this day e.g. Foo Fighters.

What is tape saturation (soft distortion)?

When the input voltage level is exceeding the tape’s ability to record it.

Is tape saturation a desirable sound?

Yes.

What is tape hiss?

A static like noise caused by the electronic components involved in tape recording and playback (called inherent noise).

Why is tape said to have a relatively high noise floor?

Because its hiss is clearly audible.

What are dropouts and what causes them?

When the sound level drops rapidly for a split second as a result of damaged or creased tape.

What are edit points?

A pop / click sound caused by a lack of crossfade and a change in voltage when two sections of tape are spliced together.