Compact Cassette

Compact Cassette, more commonly known as Audio Tape and Audio Cassette, was a previous standard for recording audio as well as data. Tape, much like records and VHS is making a comeback in the hobbyist market, especially for Vaporwave Musicians.

What most plebs don't know is that Audio Cassette had many different formats, just like VHS. These were four primary different types, based on the material used. These were (in order of quality) Ferro, Chrome, Ferro-Chrome, and Metal, otherwise known as Types I-IV. Type III was short-lived. People recall music on Tape as being poor in quality due to the music industry releasing audio on type I and II only due to affordability.

Tapes for data were known professionally as SAM, or Sequential Access Memory (compare to RAM: Random Access Memory).

Early versions of Dolby were on Cassettes, but require a Dolby-compatible machine. The last versions of Dolby that were supported on cassette were rarer due to CDs gaining in popularity, so you may find only older systems at thrift stores supporting older systems of Dolby.

The Dolby systems avalible for tape were Dolby B, C, S, and HX-Pro. Dolby S was a rarity in the American Market.

External Links

• Cassettes: Better than you Don't Remember
• The Analog Compact Music Cassette is making a Comeback