båndopptak

Båndopptak, also known as tape recording, is a method of storing audio signals using magnetic tape. This technology was prevalent from the mid-20th century until the advent of digital recording. The process involves a recording head that magnetizes tiny particles on a plastic tape coated with a magnetic material. As the tape moves past the head, the variations in the magnetic field of the recording head, which correspond to the sound waves, are imprinted onto the tape.

To play back the recording, the tape is passed over a playback head. This head detects the magnetic patterns on the tape and converts them back into electrical signals, which are then amplified and sent to a speaker to reproduce the original sound. The process of erasure is also magnetic. An erase head can demagnetize the tape, preparing it for new recordings.

Various formats of tape recording existed, including reel-to-reel tapes and compact cassette tapes, each with different characteristics regarding sound quality, recording time, and ease of use. Reel-to-reel was common in professional studios and for high-fidelity home recording, while cassettes became a popular consumer format due to their portability and convenience. Despite being largely superseded by digital technologies like CDs and digital audio files, tape recording remains a part of audio history and is still used in some niche applications and by enthusiasts for its unique sonic qualities.