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Open reel tape is the gold standard of analog audio — capable of capturing sound quality that surpasses nearly every other recording medium. Scan5 digitizes your reel to reel tapes using professional transfer equipment, preserving everything from intimate family recordings to studio-quality music sessions.
Reel to reel tape comes in a variety of speeds (1⅞, 3¾, 7½, and 15 IPS), track configurations (full-track, half-track, quarter-track), and tape widths (¼", ½", 1", and 2"). Playing back a reel correctly requires the right machine configured precisely for your tape's specifications — otherwise, you get the wrong speed, wrong track alignment, or both channels playing incorrectly.
At Scan5, we use professional open reel decks capable of handling multiple speeds and track configurations, with high-quality audio interfaces for clean, accurate capture. Every reel is assessed and configured correctly before playback begins, and our technicians monitor each transfer in real time.
We digitize open reel audio tapes in ¼" width (the most common for home and semi-professional use) at speeds of 1⅞, 3¾, and 7½ IPS. We support full-track mono, half-track stereo, and quarter-track stereo/mono configurations.
Common reel to reel recordings we receive include home recordings, family conversations and oral histories, music demos and session recordings, radio broadcasts, lectures, and corporate or institutional audio archives. If your tape is an unusual configuration, contact us and we'll assess compatibility.
Reel to reel tape can hold exceptional audio quality. We deliver transfers that honor that quality.
High-quality compressed audio, convenient for sharing and everyday listening. A good option for spoken word recordings where file size matters more than absolute fidelity.
CD-quality uncompressed audio — the standard for archival transfers. Captures the full quality of your reel to reel recording with no compression artifacts.
High-resolution archival quality — exceeds CD resolution and captures the full dynamic range of your original tape. Ideal for music recordings and professional archives.
Open reel tapes are prone to sticky shed syndrome, broken splices, and oxide shedding. We treat and repair tapes before any playback attempt.
Tapes suffering from sticky shed syndrome (squealing, shedding oxide) can often be treated through a controlled baking process that temporarily stabilizes the tape for successful transfer.
We offer noise reduction, hum removal, and editing services — including separating your recording into individual tracks and trimming silence or unwanted segments.
Once your reels are digitized, choose how you'd like to store and access your recordings.
From family recordings to professional studio archives, we've digitized reel to reel tapes for clients across the Chicago area and beyond.
Home recordings, oral histories, holiday recordings, and personal archives captured on open reel tape — we preserve every voice and every note.
Radio broadcasts, studio session recordings, institutional oral histories, and corporate audio archives — we handle large reel collections with professional care.
We understand how personal your memories are, and we treat them with the utmost care. Your photos, tapes, and videos are always secure with us, and we never share them with third parties. Your physical items are kept safe in our climate controlled inventory room at our office building with 24/7 monitoring.
We digitize ¼" open reel audio tape (the most common for home and semi-professional use) in full-track mono, half-track stereo, and quarter-track configurations at speeds of 1⅞, 3¾, and 7½ IPS. Contact us about larger tape widths (½", 1", 2") for professional studio use.
The playback speed is often written on the reel box or leader tape. If you're unsure, bring your reels in and we'll identify the correct speed and track configuration. Playing a reel at the wrong speed is a common mistake that we always check before proceeding.
Sticky shed syndrome occurs when the binder that holds magnetic particles to the tape base absorbs moisture and becomes tacky — causing the tape to squeal and shed oxide during playback. Many affected tapes can be treated through a controlled low-heat baking process that temporarily reverses the stickiness, allowing a successful transfer. Not all tapes respond to baking — contact us to discuss your specific situation.
For music recordings and studio-quality content, we recommend 24-bit / 96kHz WAV for maximum fidelity. For spoken word, oral histories, and family recordings, 16-bit / 44.1kHz WAV (CD quality) is generally sufficient. MP3 is available as an additional convenience format.
Yes. We can split your transfer into individual tracks or segments based on pauses, cue marks, or your instructions. This is particularly useful for music sessions, radio broadcasts, or any reel with multiple distinct segments.
Drop off at our Chicago studio (4001 N Ravenswood Ave Suite 502-B), schedule a courier pickup, or ship your reels with a prepaid UPS label. Reel to reel tapes should be shipped in their original boxes when possible, packed in a rigid outer box with padding.
Open reel tapes must be transferred in real time — a 30-minute reel takes 30 minutes to transfer. Most projects are completed within 1–2 weeks depending on total tape duration. Rush service may be available — contact us to discuss your timeline.
Yes. Volume discounts are available for large institutional and professional collections. Contact us with the number of reels and total estimated runtime for a custom quote.
Your open reel recordings deserve professional treatment. Let Scan5 preserve them in studio-quality digital format today.
