“The Magnetic Recorder” is a 1950s black-and-white film by the State University of Iowa explaining the uses and operation of magnetic tape. Almost any sound can be recorded magnetically and played back immediately, the viewer is told at mark 00:55 as we watch a man adjusting various tape machines including an Ekotape that we’re told are available for sale to schools, churches, and industry, and are comparable to those used at radio stations and professional recording studios. At mark 01:18 we see students being tutored in a classroom while using a tape recorder to treat reading and speaking problems. As the film continues we learn of other classroom uses for a tape recorder including assisting teachers improve their teaching methods (mark 03:05). Student musicians also benefit from such recordings, as beginning at mark 04:00 we watch a trombone player practicing his music before reviewing his efforts on tape. Similar efforts are seen on the part of a pianist and violinist before the film address the use of magnetic recordings in the preparation of radio broadcasts (starting at mark 05:30) or in interviews. It can also be used in business, as men are shown practicing their sales pitches, or in meetings where the proceedings can later be transcribed. As the film continues, even more uses are described included uses including in church to practice sermons (as is shown at mark 07:40) or provide sermons to those who cannot attend. Starting at mark 08:00 the film examines the best ways to select and use such equipment as we watch a young boy set up a device followed by an animated explanation of their operation. After watching the boy record a presentation starting at mark 12:15 and its subsequent playback, we learn of how to use a tape can be reused and edited as needed as the film draws to a close. An Ampex industrial 1/4" machine is seen at 17:39, possibly an Ampex Model 400 although we can't say with certainty.
The Ekotape 1/4" reel-to-reel tape recorder shown was made by the Webster Electric Company of Racine, Wisconsin and sold for $395 new -- roughly $3500 in today's dollars! It dates to between 1948-1952 and was considered a professional machine.
mpex is an American electronics company founded in 1944 by Alexander M. Poniatoff. The name AMPEX is an acronym, created by its founder, which stands for Alexander M. Poniatoff Excellence.[1] At one time public, the remaining ongoing business unit (Ampex Data Systems Corporation) was acquired by Delta Information Systems in October 2014, with the original parent, Ampex Corporation, ceasing operations in October 2014.
Ampex's first great success was a line of reel-to-reel tape recorders developed from the German wartime Magnetophon system at the behest of Bing Crosby. Ampex quickly became a leader in audio tape technology, developing many of the analog recording formats for both music and movies that remained in use into the 1990s. Starting in the 1950s the company began developing video tape recorders, which set the studio standards for decades, and later introduced the helical scan concept that make home video players possible. They also introduced multi-track recording, slow-motion and instant playback television, and a host of other advances.
Ampex's tape business was rendered obsolete during the 1990s, and the company turned to digital storage products. They never managed to become a player in this field, and the company was moribund by the 2000s.
Check out this wonderful on-line museum of reel to reel tape recorders! museumofmagneticsoundrecording...
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFilm.com