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Directions for a Reel-to-Reel Tape Recorder

Reel-to-reel tape recorders often were used between the late 1940s and mid-1990s. Enjoyed for their ease of use and transport, millions of reel-to-reel tape recorders were produced for businesses and individual consumers. Reel-to-reel tape recorders were used in the radio industry up until the early 21st century because a razor blade could be used to edit recordings. Computerized editing replaced this technique. Consumer reel-to-reel recorders were designed with the non-tech savvy consumer in mind.

Instructions

    • 1

      Load your tape reel onto the tape recorder. The tape recorder features a lead reel peg and an uptake reel peg. Place the the lead reel on the left peg. Place the uptake reel onto the right peg.

    • 2

      Turn the left reel counterclockwise until a small piece of tape comes unraveled.

    • 3

      Guide the unraveled piece of tape over any additional wheels that may be between the reel and the tape head. Guide the unraveled piece of tape across the tape head and up through the uptake reel.

    • 4

      Slide the tape through a slot in the uptake reel, and manually turn the reel counterclockwise until the tape is secured to the reel.

    • 5

      Press the "Play" button on your tape recorder to hear audio sounds from the player's speakers.

    • 6

      Press "Play" and "Record" at the same time to record.

    • 7

      Press the "Stop" button to stop recording or playback.

    • 8

      Press the "Rewind" or "Fast Forward" buttons to back up or speed forward to a certain point on the tape.

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Recording Music

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