[Michelle Engbino]

Reel-to-reel Tape Recorders​

Remember reel-to-reel tape recorders? Long before computers and digital playlists, these machines were the pride of music lovers and home tinkerers alike. Before magnetic tape, there were wire recorders used by professionals, but when tape arrived, suddenly sound recording became something everyday Aussies could enjoy.

Many of us can still picture the spools spinning as voices, radio shows, and songs filled the room. Some had the Philips model, others a trusty H.G. Palmer—each with its own hum and charm. Today, they’re relics of a time when recording something felt almost magical.

Image source: Australia Remember When / Facebook.

Did you have a reel-to-reel tape recorder growing up, or know someone who did? Share your memories in our forum!

 

[Mr Chips]

I got my first Reel2Reel when I was 11 years old in 1962 for Christmas. I would record songs from the radio (which was attached to) and play them back for my mother when she was cleaning and cooking. It was a combination of Radio plus R2R on the top with two 3 inch (I think) reels. I loved it and that led to an almost obsession where I owned some very sophisticated Reel2Reels up until the 80's when they went out of fashion. Frankly, the sound reproduction was actually amazing.
I remember back in 1966 using my little portable R2R to record 20 mystery sounds to use at a school Christmas party. The game was to listen to the sounds one at a time and write down what you guessed the sound was. It was a fantastic game that everyone enjoyed. The looks and gasps of exasperation on faces when the results were revealed were very funny. Perhaps a good idea for a family game even now.
Yes. R2R was excellent.

 

[yogi1942]

I still use my big reel to reel, the cover is two loudspeakers with excellent quality. I know how to extend the playing time by removing the screw. I have done different speeds of recording. I still use my Reel to Reel

 

[Miss Chris]

I got one of these for my 14th birthday in January 1968…..it was housed in a nice blue case with a carry handle and I was so excited to get it…..I couldn’t afford singles at the time so I could only listen to popular songs on TV Top of the Pops or Radio Caroline on the radio, or if someone put one on the jukebox while we stayed for ages in a cafe nursing a bottle of coke. I thought I’d be able to record my favourite songs and listen to them whenever I wanted…….Cue my younger brother …. He always appeared when I was trying to record something….it needed to be quiet to record something because the recorder picked up practically .every little whisper…..he’d come in and proceed to squawk and screech as loudly as he could and just wouldn’t let up, I could’ve brained him .. in the end I had to content myself with recording me singing or reciting poetry just to be able to use it…