Audio Equipment

Analog Open-Reel

The open-reel recorder was, until recently, one of the top choices of the seasoned professional field recordist. Although now being displaced by newer, lightweight, high-resolution, digital systems, many of these machines are still in use. The advantages are sheer durability, fidelity, long battery life, immunity to humidity-related problems, and accuracy. The disadvantages are generally weight, higher cost, and frequent tape changes. Three companies, Nagra, Uher and Stellavox manufactured portable audio open-reel recorders suitable for natural sound recording work.

To the best of our knowledge only the Nagra and Stellavox are still currently available. Nagra offers a stereo machine (Nagra IV-S) that costs about $14,000.00. Stellavox offers the SP-9 for about $5,000-$7,000 depending on head block configuration. Good used machines can often be found at substantial savings. Our experience has shown that the Nagra is the most durable tape recorder that one can purchase. They simply do not fail. The Lab of Ornithology has 25-year old Nagras that are still in regular service. One other important factor to consider is the availability of open-reel tape stock. Current market trends are favoring digital recording devices; however there is still one analog tape manufacturer Quantegy, Inc. offering stocks for these portable machines.