Tape duplication refers to the process of making copies of audio from one tape onto multiple other tapes. It involves transferring the content from the master tape to the slave tapes using specialized equipment.

Yes, the quality of the duplicated tapes can be influenced by several factors, including the condition of the master tape, the quality of the equipment used, and the duplication speed. Generally speaking the audio quality of high speed duplicated tapes is lower than realtime recorded copies.

Yes, but only up to 25 tapes. If an album is 40mins long the process of recording it onto another tape will also take 40mins. This is why we can’t offer larger quantities.

A J-card is the folded insert that goes inside the plastic case of a cassette tape. It typically contains artwork, track listing, and other relevant information about the release.

Designing a J-card involves creating a layout that fits the dimensions of the cassette case and includes the desired artwork, text, and graphics. You can use our free template which includes example layouts and size charts to help you design your own. Click here to download.

Printed labels refer to adhesive stickers that are affixed to the cassette body to provide information about A or B side, branding, or visual identification. They are typically designed with text, graphics and logos.

“C30” or any other number after the C refers to the total recording time available on the cassette. The “C” stands for “compact” or “cassette,” and the number represents the duration in minutes. In this case, C30 indicates that one side of the cassette tape can hold up to 15 minutes of audio content.

If your recording is a few minutes over the mark we simply take the next larger option. In this case it would be C40. If you want to avoid long empty sections before the side ends we can cut them to in-between numbers like C34 (2x 17mins). Alternatively if your tracklist isn’t conceptually important, sometimes it also helps to restructure the order of your songs.

Leaving 5-10 seconds of space before the recording ends on a cassette tape is important due to the variations in tape length and potential imperfections in the cutting process. Every cassette isn’t perfectly cut to an exact length, and by leaving space, you ensure that the entire recording is captured on the tape and isn’t cut off abruptly.

Tape decks are designed to output audio at line level, which is typically higher than the headphone output levels expected by most consumer headphones. As a result, when headphones are directly connected to the tape deck’s headphone output, the audio can be excessively loud. Either run the tapedeck through an interface and plug the headphones into the interface where you can control the volume or use headphones with high impedance / ohm Ω.

Analog systems often exhibit a more gradual and forgiving response to clipping than digital systems. When the peak level indicator enters the red zone momentarily or starts to clip, it can introduce a subtle amount of analog distortion, which some people find pleasing and characteristic of the analog sound. This effect is often referred to as the legendary “warmth”. On tapedecks you can sometimes push the volume up to +6db without destroying the recording noticeably.

Right now we are doing tape runs between 25 and 300 units. If your plan is to order less or more than that, simply reach out to us, maybe we can find a solution.

Cassettes are relatively durable and can be reused and overdubbed multiple times without a significant decrease in quality. This reusability reduces the need for new tapes, thus conserving resources. Some tapes are made using recycled plastic for their outer shells. This repurposes plastic that might otherwise end up in landfills or the ocean, helping to reduce the demand for new plastic production. Besides the plastic cases there are also so-called O-Cards, paper or cardstock sleeves that wrap around the cassette.

Usually between 3-6 weeks depending on the complexity of the order plus added shipping time. If we happen to have the right cassette color and length in stock, faster turnarounds are possible.

Start by cleaning the tape head. Use Isopropyl alcohol and a clean, lint-free swab or cotton swab to gently clean the tape head by swiping in one direction only, no scrubbing. Dust and debris can accumulate not only on the tape head but also on other components like the capstan and pinch roller. Clean these parts as well to ensure smooth tape movement.

Important Note: When cleaning the pinch roller, avoid using alcohol. The pinch roller is typically made of rubber and will become porous over time.