Mass digitization of audio archives with per-tape optimization
Trusted partner for European archives, museums, libraries and broadcasting companies. We handle demanding projects where quality and material safety come first. Audio tape digitization is our speciality.
Service Package A: Mass digitization of reel-to-reel tapes, cassettes and other recordings
When your collection spans hundreds or thousands of hours, we handle the entire process. Our goal is to make the project as effortless as possible for you.
The service includes:
- Inventory and numbering: Every archival unit and tape is identified and tracked throughout the process.
- Condition assessment and preparation: We inspect each tape before playback. We replace failed splices and add missing leader and trailer tapes.
- Per-tape optimization: We determine the correct track configuration and speed for each tape and adjust the azimuth. We account for speed or azimuth changes across different sections of the tape.
- High-quality digitization: We use calibrated studio-grade equipment. The analogue-to-digital conversion follows IASA archival standards.
- Digital deliverable: 48 kHz / 24 bit WAV (fmt/141) by default. Other formats available on request.
- Metadata and technical documentation: Technical metadata in AudioMD format (or other agreed standard), with documentation of the digitization workflow and equipment used.
- Integrity verification: Checksums (MD5/SHA) for every file.
- Secure delivery: Files delivered securely over the network or on encrypted physical storage media.
Service Package B: Recordings requiring special treatment
For fragile, damaged or exceptionally valuable unique recordings that need special methods and customized playback equipment.
Our special expertise:
- Mechanical repair and cleaning: We clean mould damage and repair damaged tapes and cassettes.
- Degradation management: We handle Sticky-Shed Syndrome, breakage and oxide layer flaking.
- Non-standard equalization curves: We play back tapes with historical or custom EQ curves that deviate from standards.
- Atypical track configurations: We adapt our playback equipment for rare track counts and widths.
- Paper-based tapes: We have fully customized playback equipment for early paper-based recordings (e.g. Soundmirror) that require gentle handling and a modified playback head.
- High-resolution capture: Conversion up to 768 kHz / 32 bit integer or 192 kHz / 32 bit float.
Project planning support
Digitizing a large collection takes careful preparation. We are happy to join the conversation early, so your project can launch smoothly.
We help you assess the scope of the material and prioritize the parts that need the most urgent attention. Together, we build a realistic schedule and, if needed, split the work into manageable batches.
We play all compact cassette and 1/4" reel-to-reel tape formats
Our equipment covers every speed and track configuration from every era. We use only high-quality, serviced and calibrated tape machines. From 1940s paper-based tapes to 1990s digital tape formats.
Reel-to-reel tapes
We handle all 1/4" tape formats and speeds (15/32 to 30 ips) using multiple parallel Studer and Revox machines. Our primary workhorses are the Studer A810 and B67. Slow-speed materials go to Revox C274 logging recorders.
Studer A810
Speeds: 3¾–30 ips
- • NAB stereo (2-track, 2-channel)
- • DIN/IEC stereo (2-track, 2-channel)
Studer B67
Speeds: 3¾–15 ips
- • Full-track (1-track, 1-channel)
- • DIN/IEC stereo (2-track, 2-channel)
- • NAB stereo + TC (2-track, 2-channel)
- • 4-track, 2-channel
Revox C274 logging
Speeds: 15/32–1⅞ ips
- • Full-track (1-track, 1-channel)
- • NAB stereo (2-track, 2-channel)
- • 4-track, 4-channel
Revox C274
Speeds: 3¾–15 ips
- • 4-track, 4-channel
Compact cassettes
We primarily use Studer and Revox decks for cassette digitization. For special speeds and multi-track cassettes, we have Nakamichi and Tascam machines.
Studer A710 / A721
Speeds: 1⅞ ips
Standard cassettes
Revox B710 / B215
Speeds: 1⅞ ips
Standard cassettes
Nakamichi 680ZX
Speeds: 15/16 ips
Standard cassettes, half speed
Tascam 122
Speeds: 3¾ ips
Standard cassettes, double speed
Tascam 424
Speeds: 1⅞ and 3¾ ips
4-track cassettes
Tascam 238
Speeds: 3¾ ips
8-track cassettes
Dictation tapes and digital formats
- Dictation tapes: Micro, mini and NT cassettes.
- Digital tapes: DAT cassettes and MiniDiscs are read directly in the digital domain, avoiding unnecessary A/D conversion.
Other formats
- Elcaset cassettes: We digitize this rare large-cassette format using a Sony EL-7 recorder.
- Wire recordings: We play back Webster-Chicago type 2¾ inch reels.
- Vinyl records: We digitize standard vinyl records as part of larger archive collections.
Noise reduction systems
We have a comprehensive set of noise reduction decoders for correct playback:
Dolby: A, SR, B and C
dbx: dbx-I, dbx-II and dbx-disc
Other: High-Com, High-Com II, C4 and Telcom
Let's plan your digitization project together
Whether you have a special collection of ten tapes or an archive spanning thousands of hours, we will provide a clear plan and cost estimate.