Dnepr tape recorders: history of creation, features, review of models

We live in a modern world. Today, in order to listen to music, you no longer even need to insert a disc into a disk drive or a cassette in a tape recorder, you just need to connect to the Internet - and your favorite songs are with you at any time of the day.

But earlier, about 15 years ago, in order to enjoy their favorite melody, people used reel-to-reel tape recorders, which were quite massive, and, of course, it was not possible to take such a unit with them. In this article we will plunge into the history of 70 years ago and talk about the Dnepr reel-to-reel tape recorder.

The reel-to-reel tape recorder in the Soviet Union became popular after the end of World War II.

At the beginning of 1949, the Kiev Musical Plant developed, designed and created such a device, which was called a reel-to-reel tape recorder "Dnipro" (Dnipro). The design of the device was carried out by engineers V.M. Korneichuk and V.E. Varfel. The tape recorder went down in history as the first domestic reel-to-reel tape recorder, with the help of which it became possible not only to record, but also to reproduce sounds both in professional and amateur forms of activity.

The device was really special for those times, and not only because the Dnepr reel-to-reel tape recorder was so unique.

The device layout was unique.

The reel tape recorder "Dnepr" had the following features and technical parameters:

• a ferromagnetic tape was used to record sounds;
• you could reproduce sound using any source;
• the belt of the mechanism moved at a speed of 18 cm / sec and 46.5 cm / sec;
• rewinding of the tape was carried out only on one reel, right;
• recording playback time - from 20 to 40 minutes;
• device power - 3 W;
• type of food - electrical network;
• power consumption - no more than 140 W;
• parameters - 51x39x24.5 cm;
• weight - 29 kg.

By the way, this device at that time was considered quite compact and lightweight. If desired, it could be folded into a special suitcase or case and transported. It was all of the above parameters that contributed to the fact that the reel-to-reel tape recorder "Dnepr" was preferred by the consumer and stood in almost every home.

The success after the creation of the first reel-to-reel tape recorder was so great that after a while other, no less successful, models of this device were created. We would like to acquaint you with quite popular models with serial numbers.

Dnipro-2. This device is considered the very first Soviet radio tape recorder, mass-produced. When creating it, the first reel-to-reel tape recorder "Dnepr" and a radio receiver were taken as a basis. The device was used as a receiver of local stations with a certain frequency of the range.

Dnipro-5. The model was created by engineers of the Kiev Musical Plant in 1955. The tape recorder recorded and reproduced sounds. The big advantage of this model was that the recording on this device can be played many times, but the old music, which is fed up, can be erased.The recording and playback time of sound was 19.05 cm / sec, continuous - 44 minutes, dimensions - 51.8x31.5x33 cm, weight - 28 kilograms.

Dnipro-10. This model appeared in 1958. This is the first in Dnipro to record a phonogram on two tracks. The device was characterized by the following parameters:

• film speed - 19.05 cm / sec;
• coil length - 350 meters;
• continuous recording duration - 30 minutes.

The main difference between the unit and its predecessors was the presence of the “Fast forward” function. The dimensions of the device are 51x35x32 cm, weight - 28 kilograms.

Dnipro-11. The model was created in 1960. There were two speeds - 19.05 cm / s and 9.53 cm / s, a synchronous motor and finger lamps. The device can be controlled using the buttons located at the bottom. The appearance of the tape recorder was completely changed, it was a tabletop structure in a polished wood case. Dimensions - 55x35x33 cm, weight - 24 kilograms.

Dnipro-12. This original model appeared in 1966 and featured a three-motor tape drive. The unit was of two types - desktop and portable. The operation of the device was provided by 7 finger lamps. Possessed the following parameters:

• belt speed - 9.53 cm / sec and 4.76 cm / sec;
• tape length - 250 meters;
• power of the desktop model - 3 W, portable - 1 W;
• size - 62x34x28 cm;
• weight - 22 kg.

Compared to its predecessors, this tape recorder is more advanced, more compact and lighter.

Dnipro-14. Year of birth - 1969. The device was characterized by the presence of:

• a scale on which you could see the amount of the reproduced tape;
• a button with which you can add sound.

Also, the tape recorder was equipped with a remote start, a signal switch and a button, when pressed, you can stop the playback of sounds. It could even be called a kind of speaker system as it had three loudspeakers. The speed of the tape is 9.53 cm / sec and 4.76 cm / sec, the length of the tape is 250 meters, the playback time of the recording is from 2 hours 44 minutes to 2 hours 88 minutes.

"Dnepr-14a". This model, like the previous one, appeared in 1969. Its parameters:

• two-track tape for recording;
• film speed - 9.53 cm / sec and 4.76 cm / sec;
• film length - 375 meters;
• recording playback time - from 44 to 88 minutes.

The type of power supply is an electrical network, the voltage of which is from 127 to 220 V. The dimensions of the device are 62x32x30.5 cm, and the weight is 25 kg.

Today, all of the above models of the reel-to-reel tape recorder "Dnepr" are rightfully called rarities. This device has its own amazing and interesting history. You can purchase such a unit if desired. However, it is best to do this in specialty stores or at legitimate auctions.

Watch the video for an overview of the Dnepr-14a tape recorder.