Pre-recorded Cassettes' Last Stand

In the 1990s cassette sales were falling just as their quality was improving. This video takes a look at some of the techniques used (including DIGalog) to make pre-recorded tapes sound better, with the hope of slowing their demise.

CORRECTIONS:
07:46 - "July 1992" (not July 2002)
07:55 - "August 1992" (not August 2002)

LINKS

(CORRECTION: This video was one linked to in a discussion on this subject (which I don't really understand)..but it apparently shows something different - nothing to do with PCM pulses sorry)

(But they've sold out of this colour now)

Duplication machine images from HDT duplicators
HDT are the largest manufacturer of audio cassette tapes in Europe.

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[mdjmurray]

I love how Teacmoan’s old cassettes all seem to be hip hop.

[Vednier]

WHAT? They refused to pay extra 3-6 cents to get much better tape, while prerecorded cassette already 6-7$ in market and later was asking why CD and other formats taken over so fast? Perfect example how extreme pursuit for margin and refusal to investment and adapting to new enviroment can put you out of business. Pretty much same as we see today, when copyright holders try to fight all new technologies.

[TheBitGuy]

Based on the experiments I did, I think VHS suffered from the same analog duplication problems.

[JacGoudsmit]

I went to a job interview at a duplication facility in 1989 (I think); I didn't get the job but they showed me around and it was very interesting to see how duplication works. This place did mostly video tapes (prerecorded cassettes were never very popular in the Netherlands).

They had a special machine that would copy a professional tape (Betacam or U-Matic or whatever) to a special intermediate format that was essentially mirrored VHS. They used a ferric tape for this. Then they would use this tape in machines where it was essentially just heated up to a certain temperature while it was pressed against a blank chrome tape. They explained that at that certain temperature, the magnetic particles on the chrome tape would be re-magnetized by the ferro tape, but the ferro tape wouldn't be affected.

So the tape was essentially mechanically copied, the signals wouldn't get distorted by electronics because of the high speed (and there weren't any issues with the need to copy video - a high-frequency signal - at an even higher speed), there was almost no chance that the copy would fail if the operator would make an error (unlike electronic duplication where distortion was possible if the volume was too loud), etc. The chrome tape was literally a mirror of the ferro original, and they could run the tape through the machine at basically any speed (and even if the speed wasn't constant, it didn't matter); the only requirement was that the head (basically a heated wheel which the tapes were spinning around) would have enough time to heat up the tapes to the right temperature.

Anyway, I had never heard of Digalog, so this was an interesting video. And I liked the bit at the end; very Meta! :-)

[zubirhusein]

It really is amazing how well these late era cassettes sound. I have a couple of Bollywood tapes from 1999-2001 and they sound great, as good as the CD version.

[andrewhaines]

Wow. A time when CDs were more expensive than vinyl or cassette! Those were the days!

[IsopropylRecordings]

And here i am in 2019, and investing in tech to play cassette again.

[patking]

I never thought pre recorded cassettes sounded bad. I listen to them now, and i think they sound better than streaming services. The problem is that the average joe had a low end deck, and the improved tape wouldnt have made a difference. CD took over because a cheap player sounds lightuears better than a cheap cassette player.

[MrTonglong]

That feeling when you see the outro, but there is still time left on the video :)

[vargasmaggot]

Wow, I really wondered if anyone still gave a damn about the technology of yesteryear and could provide us, now after all the years, with well researched information. But this is more than that... it is going the distance and taking that interest into action at home by buying the technology, testing and fiddling with it until we can acknowledge and wonder. I love this channel, highly entertaining and educating with just the right amount of both.

[CHolz-ndwn]

Your content is so incredibly well made! You sir, deserve more views.

[this_connor_guy]

There is a cassette manufacturer in southern Illinois that says they've actually seen an uptake in Cassette sales. So who knows what will happen with that.

[AgnostosGnostos]

What I like in a Cassette is that it was easy to start from were you finished your listening. Something not possible by most CD players and MP3 players. Very useful for listening recorded radio episodes on cassettes or learning a foreign language.

[timecage]

Brilliant video, thank you so, so much for all your work.

[elviswjr]

I was born in 1987 and I don't recall ever buying cassettes. In fact, I didn't buy very many CDs either. Now, all of my music is digital and, at this point, mostly lossless. However, I have been interested in older technology lately and I've been buying some CDs and vinyl records as collector items. Now I'll be keeping a look out for these high quality tapes as well.

[blisslife]

The puppet bits at the end are pretty awesome. Cheers

[semloh]

Every time this channel publishes a new video I feel excited and pleased. Keep producing more quality videos and I love the puppets!

[snapper]

Even more interesting than usual. DIGalog was completely new to me, as were the various methods of tape duplication. Many thanks.

[producerone]

absolutely LOVING YOUR CONTENT!! So articulate, well edited, never boring. Don't EVER stop. I've seen almost all of your brilliant videos. And yes, I do love your puppet plays! You sir, are a delight. Thank you!

[randypullman]

Another brilliant episode Mat! the tech at the very last looks intriguing. Mr Green and his pop are superstars! Soon we'll be voting on the title of their owe sitcom. Cheers