17-09-2026, 03:26 PM
USA got tape recording from Germany after WWII. They used wire or maybe steel tape before that.
https://www.analogsoundware.com/rr/aeg%2...etophon-k2
39.37 ips and first recorder with AC bias. The discovery of AC bias was made when a Magnetophon producing recordings of extraordinary quality was sent 'for repair'. The machine was found to have an oscillating DC bias amplifier. 1941. The quality was better than AM Radio.
AEG engineers made rapid strides in perfecting the system and had practical stereo recorders by 1943. Until 1945, about 250 stereophonic tape recordings were known to exist.
By 1943 quality far exceeded 78s
.
In the final stages of the war in Europe, the Allies' capture of a number of German Magnetophon recorders from Radio Luxembourg aroused great interest. These recorders incorporated all the key technological features of modern analog magnetic recording and were the basis for future developments in the field
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetophon
The 1944 German AEG K7 was stereo and Tape speed 77 cm/s = 30.315 IPS. Probably PVC tape.
The K8 was post war (1947) and 30 ips.
https://www.analogsoundware.com/rr/aeg%2...etophon-k8
Ampex was based on machines taken to USA from Germany.
No USA plastic tape machines before 1945, so 30 ips is based on AEG 77 cm/s
Bing Crosby hated studios & Holywood, hence invested in Ampex audio tape and later Video.
https://www.analogsoundware.com/rr/aeg%2...etophon-k2
39.37 ips and first recorder with AC bias. The discovery of AC bias was made when a Magnetophon producing recordings of extraordinary quality was sent 'for repair'. The machine was found to have an oscillating DC bias amplifier. 1941. The quality was better than AM Radio.
AEG engineers made rapid strides in perfecting the system and had practical stereo recorders by 1943. Until 1945, about 250 stereophonic tape recordings were known to exist.
By 1943 quality far exceeded 78s
.
In the final stages of the war in Europe, the Allies' capture of a number of German Magnetophon recorders from Radio Luxembourg aroused great interest. These recorders incorporated all the key technological features of modern analog magnetic recording and were the basis for future developments in the field
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetophon
The 1944 German AEG K7 was stereo and Tape speed 77 cm/s = 30.315 IPS. Probably PVC tape.
The K8 was post war (1947) and 30 ips.
https://www.analogsoundware.com/rr/aeg%2...etophon-k8
Ampex was based on machines taken to USA from Germany.
No USA plastic tape machines before 1945, so 30 ips is based on AEG 77 cm/s
Bing Crosby hated studios & Holywood, hence invested in Ampex audio tape and later Video.
