Preserve Your Audio Memories

Cassettes, Microcassettes, Reels & More

Keep your cherished audio recordings safe with Scan5’s expert digitizing services.

Why Digitize Your Audio Now?

Audio formats degrade over time, leading to diminished sound quality and potential loss of irreplaceable memories. Cassettes and reels are especially vulnerable to deterioration from humidity, heat, and age. By digitizing your audio recordings today, you ensure that these precious sounds are preserved and accessible for future generations.

Audio Formats We Digitize

Whatever type of audio recording you have, we’re here to help preserve it:

Cassettes

Microcassettes

Reels

DAT (Digital Audio Tape)

Handled by Experts with State-of-the-Art Technology

Not all audio conversion methods are created equal. While some consumer-grade services may offer basic digitizing, they often lack the professional quality and care necessary for preserving your precious recordings.

At Scan5, we utilize advanced audio equipment to ensure your tapes are digitized with high fidelity, capturing the crisp sound quality of the original recordings.

Cleaning and Restoring Damaged Audio

If your recordings are damaged, don’t worry. We can repair and clean them to ensure the best possible outcome:

Tape Repair:

Fixing broken cassettes and addressing audio dropouts.

Cleaning:

Removing dirt and residue to improve playback quality.

Custom Editing:

Need segments trimmed or arranged? We’ll help craft your audio story.

Choose the Best Way to Preserve Your Memories

Once your physical items are digitized, you have a few options for how to store them. While all methods are secure, cloud hosting offers the ultimate flexibility and peace of mind.

Cloud Hosting

(30 DAYS FREE!)

Access your memories anytime, anywhere
automatically backed up
protected from loss
easy to share with family
no physical devices required

USB or HDD

If you prefer to keep your files on a physical device, we also offer USB thumb drive or portable hard drive options
store your memories in the palm of your hand
A local option for storing your files and sharing across devices

Trusted by Families and Institutions.

We’ve worked with families and institutions to help preserve invaluable memories

Family Home Movies

Industry-leading technology, including the Lasergraphics scanner, ensures top-quality results.

Archival Projects

Digitizing is done on-site in Chicago, keeping your media safely in trusted hands.

What Our Customers Say

"Scan5 digitized my parents' cassette tapes, and now I can finally hear their voices again. The service was quick and the quality fantastic!"
Emily
Chicago, IL
"I had a collection of reel-to-reel tapes from my youth, and Scan5 converted them beautifully. I’m so grateful!"
David
Evanston, IL

Audio Digitizing FAQ:

Cassettes, Microcassettes, Reels & More

1. What types of audio formats can Scan5 digitize?

We digitize a variety of audio formats, including:

  • Cassettes
  • Microcassettes
  • Reel-to-reel tapes
  • Digital Audio Tapes (DAT)

We digitize a variety of audio formats, including:

2. Why should I digitize my audio recordings now?

Audio recordings deteriorate over time due to environmental factors like heat, humidity, and exposure to air. This can result in distorted audio, tape degradation, or complete data loss. By digitizing your tapes now, you preserve these sounds for future generations before they degrade beyond recovery.

3. Can Scan5 restore and repair damaged audio recordings?

Yes, we offer various restoration and repair services, including:

  • Tape Repair: Fixing broken cassettes, reels, or slack tapes.
  • Mold Cleaning: Safely removing mold from tapes to avoid further damage.
  • Audio Enhancement: Reducing noise, equalizing sound, and improving audio clarity.

These services help ensure the best possible outcome when digitizing damaged or deteriorated tapes.

4. How does Scan5 ensure high-quality audio digitizing?

We use professional-grade audio digitizing equipment designed to capture every nuance of your recordings. Our technology ensures:

  • High Fidelity Audio: Crisp, clear sound quality.
  • Audio Enhancement: For recordings that require it, we apply noise reduction and other enhancements to maximize clarity and quality.
5. What are my options for receiving the digitized audio files?

You can choose from:

  • Cloud Hosting: Secure and accessible from anywhere. This is the most convenient and flexible option, offering automatic backups and easy sharing with family and friends.
  • USB or External Hard Drive: Physical storage devices are also available for local access and sharing across your personal devices.

For the most reliable long-term solution, we recommend cloud storage as the best way to store your audio memories securely.

6. How long does the audio digitizing process take?

The typical timeframe for audio digitizing is 2-4 weeks, depending on the size and complexity of the project. We also offer rush services for those who need faster turnaround.

7. Can Scan5 edit my audio recordings?

Yes, we offer custom editing services, which include:

  • Trimming and Organizing: Tailoring your audio files to focus on specific sections or organizing them into a cohesive narrative.
  • Sound Enhancement: Adjusting audio levels, removing background noise, and improving overall sound quality.

Let us know your preferences, and we’ll customize your recordings to your needs.

8. What is the cost of audio digitizing?

Audio digitizing starts at $X per tape, with bulk discounts available for larger collections. Contact us for a custom quote based on your specific project.

9. How do I get my audio recordings to Scan5?

We offer several convenient methods for submitting your audio media:

  • Drop Off: Bring your items directly to our local office.
  • Courier Pickup: Schedule a secure courier to collect your items from your home.
  • Mail via UPS: Ship your audio recordings to us using our prepaid shipping option, and we’ll notify you when they arrive.
10. Is my data secure with Scan5?

Absolutely. We prioritize your privacy and ensure your digitized audio recordings are stored securely. Your files will never be shared with third parties, and our cloud storage comes with industry-standard encryption for added protection.

11. Can Scan5 handle large audio digitizing projects for institutions?

Yes, we specialize in handling large-scale digitizing projects for organizations such as schools, universities, and historical archives. If you have an extensive collection of audio recordings, we offer custom solutions to meet your needs.

12. Can Scan5 digitize specific sections of my audio recordings?

Yes, if you have particular parts of your recordings you’d like digitized, simply provide us with timestamps or instructions, and we’ll focus on those sections.

13. What precautions are taken to ensure my audio recordings are handled safely?

We use professional handling procedures for all audio media. Our technicians wear gloves, and each tape or reel is cataloged and tracked throughout the entire process to ensure it is safely returned in its original condition.

14. How does Scan5's technology compare to consumer-grade audio digitizing options?

Our equipment is far superior to consumer-grade options. Many at-home devices or general stores offer basic audio transfers but lack the resolution and sound clarity that professional-grade equipment can capture. We ensure each recording is digitized with the highest possible sound quality, preserving every detail.

15. Do you offer post-digitizing support for organizing my files?

Yes, we provide post-digitizing support, which includes help with accessing your audio files, organizing your digital archives, and creating additional copies if needed. Our support team is here to assist with any post-project needs.

Simple Pricing and Quick Turnaround

Starting Price:

$X.XX

per disc

Bulk Discounts:

Available

for larger collections

Turnaround Time:

2-4 weeks

with rush services available

Your Privacy Is Our Priority

Your memories are personal, and we treat them with care. We guarantee your discs will be handled securely and privately, with files never shared with third parties.

Ready to Save Your Memories?

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Let Scan5 digitize your discs with care, so you can relive your memories whenever you want.