Exclusive Reel-To-Reel Records

Original Master Tapes

In a world where music has become as available as tap water, we seek and capture outstanding musicality on master tape — analogous to legendary studio recordings by Pink Floyd, Queen and The Beatles.

A unique experience for music lovers and audio enthusiasts who enjoy real, handcrafted music.

Behind The Scenes: Recording Session with Paulo Mendonça

Lean back and enjoy at Home

Experience the sound of unaltered excellence

We ensure that all our tapes are original master tapes.

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Analog Rec, Mix & Master

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Real-Time Live Production

  • On request only

    All master tapes are manufactured only upon customer request

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    Laser engraving

    Serial number and customer name engraved

  • 24-page session book

    With high-quality photos and a wealth of background information

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    Tape specifications

    RTM SM911, 15ips, EQ = CCIR = DIN = IEC1, NAB-Hub, up to 32 minutes

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    AlMg3-Aluminium-Reel

    Black anodised, laser-cut with CNC precision-milled core (Al4.5Mn)

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    Solid packaging

    Comes in solid cardboard packaging with session layout.

Mixed on legendary MidAS XL4

All our sessions are being mixed in real-time on the legendary live mixing console.

Reel-To-Reel (R2R) Tapes

Our Flagship Records

Explore the King’s Class, the Formula 1 of audio recordings —  our premium series of reel-to-reel tapes — filled with outstanding and honest musicality performed by bands and artists of today.

Recorded at one of our Sessions surrounded by enthusiastic music lovers and fans.

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Highest Audio Fidelity

An Original Tape

Treat yourself to the best possible audio fidelity. We only offer original Tape Recording and not copies thereof. These are the tapes used for vinyl pressing. 

1 Tape Recording

Exclusively available upon customer request at straight2tape®.

Original Session Tapes

Available Records

Find our available catalogue of our original reel-to-reel session tapes.

For analog music enthusiasts

Frequently Asked Questions

Master Tape FAQ

Why is there a waiting period for master tapes?

The engraving of the customer’s name on aluminum reels can only be realized cost-covering from 10 pieces onwards due to relatively high logistics and manufacturing costs. 

As a small boutique label, we face higher production costs due to small runs and therefore collect all master tape orders to be able to offer better prices. For those collective orders we offer advance orders on prepayment and frequently inform about the ordering process via email.

Depending on the respective demand, waiting times of up to 3 months may occur. In return you get a worldwide unique piece of music history – with your name on it.

Therefore we collect the master tape orders and offer pre-orders against prepayment and inform regularly by email about the order status.

Which tape machines are being used to record the sessions?

This depends on the genre and style. We try to choose the recorders according to the sound ideal of the respective genre. The following machines are available for selection:

  • STUDER C37
  • STUDER 810
  • STUDER A80 MK1
  • STUDER A80-R
  • NAGRA IV-S
Which tape machines are being used to copy?

We do not manufacture copies. The raw session tapes are cut and glued by hand for the purpose of track selection, mastered completely analog and then recorded directly onto master tape via STUDER A80-R. Every customer receives a real master tape — in the same quality as it is delivered to the pressing plant for LP production.

Do you offer other tape specifications (speed, EQ, track width)?

Unfortunately no, as we want to provide  the best experience to our customers based on the 1/4″, 15ips, CCIR master tape for NAB hubs which we send to the pressing plant for the vinyl LP production.

What's the difference to other studio live recordings?

The concept of straight2tape is that everything is 100% analog and 100% authentic. Each session is being recorded, mixed and captured on ¼“ master tape in real-time. After the last note is played, a song is finished and can be neither edited nor modified afterwards. Our productions might not always be a totally ‘clean & perfect’ but they fully guarantee hontest, outstanding musicianship.

The shipping costs seem extraordinarily high?

Our shipping costs consist of a small, negligible packaging fee and the International Parcel shipping rates offered by Swiss Post. If you find a better offer for the latter, please let us know! 

Why do you use a live mixing console for the recordings?

We use a MIDAS XL4 console because this is one of the world’s best live consoles. Especially in terms of layout, ergonomics, build quality, transportability, and most importantly, its signature sound.

The following internationally acclaimed artists toured the world with this flagship mixing console: The Chemical Brothers, Muse, Goo Goo Dolls, Kiss, Brad Paisley, Steely Dan, Bryan Adams, Tool Alan “Nobby”Hopkinson, Jack White, Metallica, Big Mick Hughes, Gwen Stefani 2007, Rod Stewart, U2 2001, Kaiser Chiefs, Jann Arden, Gary Stokes, Skunk Anansie, Blink-182, Dave Rat, AC/DC, Oasis, Bon Jovi, Slayer, The Who, Paul Ramsay, The Rolling Stones and many more …

Why is it called 2INCH-RECORDS if you record on 1/4 inch tape?

Historically, 2INCH-RECORDS was the original name of our recording studios which offered analog multi-track recording on 2-inch STUDER tape machines since its beginning. With the launch of the straight2tape session, label services were added to its portfolio under the same brand name.