Format · Reel-to-reel tape
Reel-to-reel. The short way from the master to you.
34 tapes, all from Analogue Productions. Quarter inch, 15 inches per second, two tracks. Every copy is made one at a time and in real time – one tape, one machine, one playing length. What happens between the studio and your tape head is set out here stop by stop: for tape, for vinyl and for SACD.
See the chainAll tapes ↓01 / The chain
What happens between the master tape and you
Every format takes a different route from the studio to your living room. Here is each stop on its own. Tap a format – or leave all three side by side.
Ultra Tape
3 stops between the master tape and you
- Master tapeThe analogue original from the studio.
- Production copyAnalogue Productions does not record from the original itself but from a copy of it. That copy is the source for every tape in the series.
- Your tapeYour own copy is made from that source, one at a time and in real time – on an ATR-modified Ampex with flux magnetic heads, for the full playing length.
- Your tape machineThe tape runs past your head at 15 ips. Nothing else in between.
Vinyl record (AAA)
4 stops between the master tape and you
- Master tapeSame starting point.
- LacquerA cutting lathe transfers the signal into a groove.
- PlatingThe lacquer becomes father, mother and stamper – the metal parts used for pressing.
- PressingThe stamper presses the groove into heated vinyl.
- StylusYour cartridge reads the groove.
Hybrid SACD
4 stops between the master tape and you
- Master tapeSame starting point.
- DSD conversionThe analogue signal is converted to DSD.
- Glass masterThe data becomes the template for the plant.
- PressingThe disc is pressed.
- LaserYour player reads it with light.
„All analogue, mastered at Abbey Road – and I was there that day. I saw the tapes; it was such an exciting, wonderful day.“
Michael 45 on the mastering session for “Kaya” · video from 7:13
Straight talk: the tape is not the studio master either. It is recorded from a copy of the original. We are not saying you hear the master – we are saying there is little in between.
This is no verdict on the record. A well-cut record can sound glorious; it simply takes the longer route. The tape takes the shorter one – but it needs a machine. That is the real hurdle, and it comes next.
02 / Your machine
Three questions and you know
Whether a tape plays at your place comes down to three specifications. They are in your machine’s manual, usually on one page.
15 ips?
Two speeds are common: 7½ and 15 ips. Our tapes need 15.
Two-track (half-track)?
Many home decks read four tracks and play the tape in both directions. Our tapes are two-track: one pass, the full tape width.
IEC equalisation?
Two standards are common, NAB and IEC. Our tapes are equalised to IEC. Many machines can switch.
03 / All tapes
The complete tape catalogue
Newest first, the same order as the list in the shop. Price and availability come live from the shop.
Reggae
Rastaman Vibration
Bob Marley and The Wailers
- 15 ips
- ¼ inch · two-track
- From the original tapes
- 2 reels
Rock & Pop
Buena Vista Social Club (Tape) (w/ 12 Page Booklet)
Ry Cooder
- 15 ips
- ¼ inch · two-track
- From the original tapes
Classical
Ravel: Daphnis And Chloe
Charles Munch, Boston Symphony Orchestra
- 15 ips
- ¼ inch · two-track
- Master tape copy
Classical
A Stereo Spectacular: Saint-Saens Symphony No.3
Charles Munch
- 15 ips
- ¼ inch · two-track
- Master tape copy
Classical
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto (Jascha Heifetz)
Fritz Reiner, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
- 15 ips
- ¼ inch · two-track
- Master tape copy
Classical
Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D Minor (Jascha Heifetz)
Walter Hendl
- 15 ips
- ¼ inch · two-track
- Master tape copy
Classical
Beethoven: Violin Sonata Op. 96
David Abel, Julie Steinberg
- 15 ips
- ¼ inch · two-track
- Master tape copy
Classical
Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kije/ Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale
Fritz Reiner
- 15 ips
- ¼ inch · two-track
- From the original tapes
Classical
Respighi: Pines Of Rome & Fountains Of Rome
Fritz Reiner
- 15 ips
- ¼ inch · two-track
- From the original tapes
Classical
Moussorgsky: The Power Of The Orchestra: A Night On Bare Mountain / Pictures At An Exhibition
Rene Leibowitz, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- 15 ips
- ¼ inch · two-track
- Master tape copy
Classical
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances / Vocalise
Donald Johanos
- 15 ips
- ¼ inch · two-track
- Master tape copy
No tape matches these filters.
Prefer a plain list? All tapes in the shop →04 / Where to start
Five ways in
Start with what you already love listening to. One click filters the catalogue.
Alexander Gibson, Charles Munch, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner and more
To the Classical page →
Bob Marley and The Wailers and more
To the Reggae page →„There will be some as Ultra Tape as well, on reel – and I think I will carry them this time.“
Michael 45 on the Marley announcement · video from 3:19 · translated from German
Frequently asked
Quick answers
What is an Ultra Tape?
That is the reel-to-reel series by Analogue Productions. A quarter-inch tape at 15 ips, two-track stereo, IEC equalisation, delivered in its own slipcase. Every copy is made in real time from a copy of the original analogue master tape, transferred on an ATR-modified Ampex with flux magnetic heads.
Which machine do I need?
A reel-to-reel machine that runs at 15 ips, reads two tracks and uses IEC equalisation. All three are in the manual. Many home decks read four tracks – those do not fit. Reel size stays open: the manufacturer gives no measurement, so ask us first.
What do 15 ips, quarter inch and two-track mean?
15 ips is 15 inches of tape per second. Quarter inch is the width of the tape, a good six millimetres. Two-track means the full width carries the two stereo channels, in one direction. The more tape per second and the wider the track, the more room the signal has.
Why do some albums come on two reels?
Because here, time is length. At 15 ips a 2,500 ft reel runs a good 33 minutes. If an album runs longer than one reel holds, a second one follows. The track list on the product page says which editions come on two or more reels.
Why are the tapes not in stock?
Every tape is recorded individually in real time, and we order it for you from the manufacturer. That is why the cards say “Special order” with a delivery time of one to four weeks.
What do “Pre-order”, “Special order” and “Currently unavailable” mean?
“Pre-order” means announced but not released yet. “Special order” means released, we get it for you, one to four weeks. “Currently unavailable” means released but not obtainable at the moment. The page stays up so you can find it again as soon as that changes. “Sold out” means there is no more supply.
Why does a tape cost so much more than a record?
Because it is not pressed but recorded. For every single copy a machine runs for the full playing length; nothing is duplicated, each tape is made on its own – and then there is the tape stock. A pressing plant turns out many records in the same time.
Which tapes does Michael 45 carry?
At the moment 34 tapes: 14 × Classical, 7 × Jazz, 5 × Reggae, 6 × Rock & Pop and 2 × Blues. All of them come from Analogue Productions.
Technical details from our product texts, as of 20 Sept 2026. Price and availability live from the shop. Michael’s quotes come from his videos; the transcripts are in our source file.
