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Posted by on May 20, 2015 in TellMeWhy |

How Does a Tape Recorder Work?

How Does a Tape Recorder Work?

How Does a Tape Recorder Work? When recording on a tape recorder, a microphone changes the tone of your voice into electrical signals. As the tape rolls past the part of the recorder called the recording head, magnetism arranges tiny particles of iron on the tape into patterns that correspond to the sound patterns of your voice. When the tape is played, it goes past the recording head again.

This time, the tape magnetizes the recording head, which changes this magnetism back into electrical signals. The signals go into the speaker, and your voice is heard. The simplest tape recorders are very simple indeed, and everything from a Walkman to a high-end audiophile deck embodies that fundamental simplicity.

Magnetic recording on a tape recorder is a backbone technology of the electronic age. It is a fundamental way for permanently storing information. In the audio realm, magnetic tape (in the form of compact cassettes) is a popular way of distributing music. People either buy tapes pre-recorded with material, or make their own tapes from CD’s.

If you have concluded that with the advent of the digital age, the era of magnetic tapes is over, let me tell you that it is far from the truth. Magnetic tapes are still popular in several areas such as

  • medical research
  • patient monitoring
  • surveillance
  • spying
  • production control
  • industrial research

And so on. Certainly there might be certain advantages of using magnetic tapes which make them so popular till date.

Content for this question contributed by Gary Surgeon, resident of Lincolnton, Lincoln County, North Carolina, USA