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Although open reel decks (a.k.a. reel-to-reel decks) cannot be found in the mainstream consumer market today through major electronics chains and audio/video specialty stores, there is still a demand for them among some dedicated audiophiles and they are found in virtually all recording studios worldwide. In fact, not too long ago, this was the only format used in studios. Invented as a communication tool for World War I, the open reel format initially recorded on magnetic steel wire. Subsequent open reel machines used oxide coated paper and then oxide coated plastic, which is used today for all tape formats.
There are several reasons for the apparent decline in popularity of reel-to-reel decks over the past two decades. With the development of the cassette deck as a high fidelity medium, many consumers were convinced that cassette decks were sufficient for their needs. Also, cassettes are compact enough to carry in shirt pockets. Open reels, on the other hand, are loose reels that are usually at least 7 inches in diameter. On top of that, many listeners find cassettes more convenient in usage because they only have to be inserted into cassette machines to be used. With open reels, the tape itself usually has to be manually threaded through parts of an open reel machine.
Still, this format has its advantages. Unlike other tape formats, open reel tape can be edited through a technique called splicing (physically cutting out unwanted portions and attaching desired portions together) so that even unwanted individual notes in music can be deleted. Playing time is also much longer. Open reel decks still outperform cassette decks in all crucial areas of sound reproduction. A variety of inherent qualities result in better speed stability, sound reproduction with more freedom from unwanted noise and distortion, and the ability to record louder sounds (especially high-pitched sounds) with ease. For those readers who find the open reel alternative attractive but are afraid of the possibility of its extinction there should not be any cause for concern. Although this format is rare it will occupy its niche in the market for quite some time. They can still be purchased through professional audio retailers and a few well-established mail order outlets.
Features found on open reel machines include a full logic mechanism, recording level controls, recording level meters, tape selection switch, bias adjustment, three heads, track configuration switch, multiple motors....
