An audio tape recorder is an analogue storage device which *generally* uses a magnetic tape as a recording stock. Magnetic tape originated around 1930 and before this, a wax coated tape was used. From what I can tell this wax tape operated on similar principles to a vinyl player – with a needle carving/following grooves in the wax.
The first consumer tape recorders became available in 1946, and they became an incredibly popular medium. By the 1990s compact cassettes (used in tape recorders) were the primary form of music distribution.
I actually own an old tape recorder called the ‘Sony Cassette-Corder TCM-71’ (according to eBay it’s worth about $6 USD now). I can remember playing around with the recorder back in the day; recording little snippets of music, fake news broadcasts, etc. I just found it while cleaning out my room, and I’m really keen to buy some blank cassette tapes (somewhere) and test it out. Unfortunately for me, mini-Aidan left the batteries in it, so now there’s a bit of a battery acid situation. I’m pretty confident I can clean that up though.
I’d like to use my old recorder in some kind of project (either for Studio or just personal stuff), however first I’ll need to clean it up AND find somewhere to buy cassette tapes. Any suggestions on that second point?
