Tape recorders 80-90s

Thanks to the invention of the tape recorder, people have the opportunity to enjoy their favorite musical works at any time. The history of this device is quite interesting. It went through many stages of development, was continuously improved, until the time came for the players of another generation - DVD and computer technology. Let's remember together what tape recorders were like in the 80s and 90s of the last century.

The very first tape recorder in the world was created back in 1898. And already in 1924 there were many companies that were engaged in their development and production.

Japanese tape recorders of the 80s and 90s, sold in our country, were quite expensive sound recording equipment, so not everyone could afford such a luxury. The most popular Japanese models of this period were the following brands of tape recorders.

• TOSHIBA RT-S913. The unit was characterized by the presence of a high-quality speaker system and a powerful amplifier. This single cassette tape recorder has been the dream of many teenagers. It sounded great and reproduced high quality music. The front side of the tape recorder was equipped with two LEDs, the equipment could be switched to the extended stereo sound mode.

• CROWN CSC-950. This radio tape recorder was launched in 1979. The single-cassette unit was in crazy demand at one time. It was a large tape recorder with excellent sound and stylish design.

• JVC RC-M70 - the tape recorder was created in 1980. Had the following characteristics:
  • dimensions (WxHxD) - 53.7x29x12.5 cm;
  • Woofers - 16 cm;
  • HF speakers - 3 cm;
  • weight - 5.7 kg;
  • power - 3.4 W;
  • range - 80x12000 Hz.

In addition to the above tape recorders, Japanese companies Sony, Panasonic and others released other models to the market, which were also popular, and today are considered rarities.

On the domestic market, tape recorders began to appear a few years after the end of the 1941-1945 war. During this period, the country continued to intensively rebuild, new enterprises were created, so domestic engineers were able to begin to implement their ideas, including in the field of radio engineering. First, reel-to-reel tape recorders were created that played music, but were very large and did not differ in mobility. Later, cassette devices began to appear, which became an excellent portable alternative to their predecessors.

In the eighties, a large number of tape recorders were produced by domestic radio factories. You can list the best reel-to-reel examples of that time.

• Mayak-001. This is the first tape recorder of the highest category. This unit was distinguished by the fact that it could record sound in two formats - mono and stereo.

• "Olymp-004 Stereo". In 1985, the engineers of the Kirov Electric Machine Building Plant named after I. Lepse created this musical unit.He was the most technically advanced model among the Soviet reel-to-reel tape recorders produced in the mid-80s.

• "Leningrad-003" - the first domestic cassette model, which created a massive sensation with its appearance, since absolutely all music lovers wanted to have it. In the course of its creation, the latest technologies, perfect LPM were applied. The unit was characterized by the presence of a separate indicator with which it was possible to control the recording level, as well as a wide range of sound reproduction frequency (from 63 to 10000 Hz). The belt speed was 4.76 cm / sec. The model was mass-produced and sold out very quickly.

• "Eureka". A portable cassette recorder that was born in 1980. Used to play music. The sound was high quality, clean, loud enough.

• "Nota-MP-220S"... Year of release - 1987. It is considered the first Soviet two-cassette stereo tape recorder. The equipment made a high quality recording. The technical parameters of the unit were at a high level.

Now is the time to tell how the cassette recorders, which were widespread in the 90s, differed from the reel-to-reel tape recorders, which were at the peak of popularity before them.

The differences are as follows:

• recording device: magnetic tape on reels in reel units, and on cassette recorders - the same magnetic tape (but narrower) in cassettes;
• the quality of reproduction of the sounds of reel units is higher than that of cassette units;
• there was little difference in functionality;
• dimensions;
• the weight;
• the cost of cassette players is lower;
• affordability: in the 90s it was easier to buy a tape recorder of any kind than in the early 80s;
• production time.

For an overview of the USSR tape recorders, see the following video.