nagra

Nagra is a brand of portable audio recorders produced by Kudelski SA, a Swiss technology company. The name is widely associated with professional field recording for film, television, and documentary work. The line traces its origins to the early 1950s when Stefan Kudelski and his team developed a handheld, battery-powered reel-to-reel recorder intended for on-location use. The first models demonstrated ruggedness and high audio quality, helping establish Nagra as a standard among professional sound recordists. Subsequent generations improved tape mechanics, preamps, and overall reliability, expanding the range and capabilities of the lineup.

Over time, Nagra expanded from analog tape into digital recording and added features to fit on-location production. The brand has produced a wide range of devices—from portable handheld units used on documentary shoots to larger units designed for studio and broadcast workflows—designed to operate in demanding environments. Nagra equipment has been widely used in cinema, television news, documentary production, and wildlife sound recording, earning a reputation for durability and reliability.

Today, the Nagra line remains part of the Kudelski Group's audio solutions portfolio, continuing to serve professional sound professionals worldwide. Alongside traditional tape-based recorders, the company offers modern digital recorders, wireless transmission systems, and related accessories, maintaining its legacy in high-fidelity location sound.