There’s a new kid in town for all the hipsters out there. From a Rhino email…..
INTRODUCING RHINO HIGH FIDELITY REEL-TO-REELS
Duplicated From A 1:1 Copy Of The Analog Master Tape
15 I.P.S. Half-Track Stereo 1/4″ Reel-To-Reel Tapes
Produced To The IEC Standard On Premium RTM LPR90 Tape Stock
Housed On A 10.5-Inch Metal Reel
In A Custom Box Replicating The Original Album Artwork
Each Title Limited To 500
Exclusive To Rhino.com
GET RHINO HIGH FIDELITY REEL-TO-REELS
Rewind the tape! We’re thrilled to announce that the acclaimed Rhino High Fidelity series will now feature a line of Reel-to-Reel tapes. Reel audio offers the closest experience to owning a master tape from your favorite artists.
Originating in Germany in 1928, the reel-to-reel recording process produces pristine sound. It has been favored by audiophiles and musicians since its commercial debut in the late 1940s, with pioneers like Jack Mullin and Ampex introducing this format to singer Bing Crosby. The magnetic tape format gave musicians the ability to re-record, erase, and edit their recordings—features that had not been available before.
Our series begins with limited-edition releases of T.Rex’s’ ELECTRIC WARRIOR and Yes’ THE YES ALBUM, each limited to 500 copies and available exclusively at Rhino.com. These 15 i.p.s. half-track 1/4″ reel-to-reel tapes are produced to the IEC equalization standard on premium RTM LPR90 tape stock and housed on 10.5″ metal reels. These releases are designed for exceptional longevity when stored in a cool, clean place away from magnetic fields.
Widely considered Marc Bolan’s defining work, ELECTRIC WARRIOR introduced T. Rex’s glam-rock swagger to the world with hits like “Get It On” and “Jeepster.” The album topped the U.K. charts, became a touchstone of the glam era, and remains a high point of Bolan’s legacy.
THE YES ALBUM marked the band’s breakthrough as guitarist Steve Howe joined and the group embraced a more expansive sound. Featuring classics like “Yours Is No Disgrace” and “I’ve Seen All Good People,” the album set Yes on the path to becoming one of the world’s most influential and successful progressive rock bands.
We selected these records for their dynamic and progressive sound, as well as their innovative use of pioneering techniques by producers Tony Visconti (T.Rex) and Eddie Offord (Yes). Visconti employed various sonic techniques, such as flanging and backwards guitars, to create a unique sound, enhanced by contributions from notable session musicians. While Offord featured Anderson, Howe, and Squire singing three-part vocal harmony throughout the record, Squire’s melodic bass and Bill Bruford’s spacious drumming.
The Yes album for $300 – and you thought vinyl was expensive !
That said, when I started working, I always wanted a reel to reel – something about them is inherently attractive. Never got around to it though.
$300! You’re not going to be chucking that into a hedgerow, are you? You can’t even unsnag it with a Biro.
{crosses arms, waits for Linn and/or Naim to produce a R2R deck}
Is there a Rega R2R1 on the drawing board, one wonders.
I do remember when affordable home reel to reel recorders appeared…early 60s maybe? A mate had one at his house and I’m really not sure why, thinking about it. After the thrill of recording your voice and hearing it back, and the shock therein, what was there to do with it? Off air music recordings of the time have become a treasure trove of sorts I guess.
Hifi r2r machines were always a bit exclusive, so I wonder how many are around these days? I assume they have done their market research.
Well: I have a old Revox G36 in my attic…
I did a lot of am-dram sound effects, well into the early ’00s, on a Sony R2R. Then I bought an early Philips CDR deck.
You couldn’t really cue properly on a cassette.
Maybe now’s the time for me to finally sell it on, if RtR is the new vinyl…
Bring back wax cylinders!
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.
I have thought of getting a reel to reel machine (I had a crappy one when I was a kid). Would mainly be to just put on display. I do like the look of them. Wouldn’t mind picking up some of The Beatles mono releases from the (early) sixties, but I believe they won’t sound as good as vinyl?
Actually, it might sound better than vinyl…
I think not your mass produced tapes, similar to cassettes
15ips, 1/4 inch, two track? Surely miles better than cassette??
Oh better than cassette I think. I meant mass production might result in inferior sound compared to how good they could sound
I’m not sure there were ever any mass-production “high-speed dubbing” reel-to-reels. Perhaps they could use 15ips decks to duplicate 7.5ips tapes in half the time.
I’ve just had an idea… duplicate 15ips tapes at 7.5ips – Half-Speed Mastering for tapes…
Albeit unlikely…
… but if future generations are to ever read this blog:
People enjoying the greatest pop group of all time did not, repeat ‘did not’, go into this insane amount of detail in the 60s.
They just bought a record.
Those that do go into this insane amount of detail, ‘did’ miss the greatest pop group and era of all time.
It’s a queer phenomenon, and a quirk we living in 2025 are yet to fully understand.
It’s over to you… you’re the future!
Let’s leave The Monkees out of this…
Some of them in the 60s bought tapes
“The greatest pop group of all time” were fully aware on the role of the studio in their mystique. Or will have been once George Martin was introduced to them. And, need it or not, their estates are unlikely to reject what advances in sound production can do with the product. Some of those lilies may not need a gild, but it is interesting to see/hear the outcome anyway. Those who “just bought a record” include those who have never stopped buying whatever format and whatever “insane amount of detail” is available.
I don’t normally get riled by these posts, mainly as I am not an avid purchaser of repeat scrub ups of vintage favourites, but……..
But maybe, Daze-y, old chum, that’s yer job?
My uncle had a reel to reel of Help, a proper EMI one, from time of release. People certainly did listen to them.
It would work the other way round for tapes than it does for disc cutting.
Increase the tape speed for recording and you get a longer surface for storing each second of music.
Reduce the rotation speed for disc cutting and you get a longer groove to store each second of music.
But of course you know that, don’t you.
This might interest you @dai – stupidly expensive, of course, but a worth a read.
https://rxreels.com/blogs/news/reel-to-reel-vs-vinyl?srsltid=AfmBOorCBfFhn7jkHxAeg9vBSd_lZ6Ewd42bgssIcUvf2zcNyJ3M8Rj7
Drools
That’d look great next to my SACD player.
My wallet’s safe, they take up more room than LPs so that’s a non-starter
These reel-to-reels are fascinating – they’ve been popping up in those elusive HiFi shops where they sell you »Sound stones« for »relaxing the atmosphere in your room«.
Here’s one from Yello: https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/poprock/detail/-/art/yello-stella/hnum/11887619
I’ve seen reels from Alice Cooper, Joe Henderson – and a couple of classical titles.
The initial runs of 50 copies all sold out quickly, but you can still order copies that are made on demand.