Kassettiteippi

Kassettiteippi, often referred to as cassette tape or simply tape, is an analog magnetic tape recording format for audio recording and playback. Developed by Philips in 1962, it was designed to be compact and portable, making it popular for personal use and for use in cars. The cassette tape consists of two spools of magnetic tape wound around a hub, enclosed in a protective plastic shell. A magnetic head in a tape player or recorder reads and writes data to the magnetic surface of the tape.

The standard cassette tape is approximately 10 cm long and 5 cm wide. It typically contains two tracks on each side of the tape, allowing for four channels of audio in total. The recording speed of a cassette tape is relatively slow, which limits its fidelity compared to other audio formats. However, its affordability and ease of use contributed to its widespread adoption. Cassette tapes were commonly used for music albums, personal voice recordings, and dictation.

While digital audio formats have largely replaced cassette tapes, they retain a niche following among audiophiles and collectors who appreciate their analog sound quality and retro appeal. Cassette tapes are still produced for certain applications, such as audiobooks, language learning materials, and as a medium for some independent music releases. The technology, though largely obsolete for mainstream consumer use, represents a significant milestone in the history of portable audio recording.