the Tape Project

Catalog number TP-007 will be shipping soon. We are at full capacity at this time and if you have subscribed in the past ten to twelve weeks albums TP-001 to TP-006 will be shipped to you as we are able schedule small runs to make more of those albums, between current production runs of the higher catalog numbers.

shipping status

Catalog

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Our latest titles for 2007:

Bill Evans-Waltz for Debby Mose Allison-Creek Bank Sonny Rollins-Saxophone Colossus

CES 2008

The Tape Project wishes to thank the following exhibitors at CES 2008 for their support:

TAD Home Audio

First Impression Music

On a Higher Note

Kubala-Sosna

we had a great time!

The Tape Project's custom red RS1500 and Bottlehead Tube Repro amp, in Winston Ma's First Impression Music room at CES 2008

VSAC 2008

The Tape Project will be co-hosting an exhibit room with Bottlehead Corp. at VSAC 2008

Jacqui Naylor will be performing the evening of May 25th in the ballroom, sponsored by Bottlehead Corp. and the Tape Project

CES 2008 comments

"Playing the Tape Project's open reel reissue of Reference Recordings Tutti, the TAD (Reference One) presented one of the most completely persuasive facsimiles of a symphony I've heard from a system. Voices and smaller groups were equally convincing, with unsurpassed tonal truth and beauty. For me this was the sonic Everest of the show, indeed, of many a show."

Paul Seydor - PS's Best of Show - The Absolute Sound, April/May 2008

"The TAD room was noteworthy not just for its excellent speakers, but also for the best sounding source of the show: The Tape Project's direct-from-master analog tape."

Alan Taffel - AT's Best of Show - The Absolute Sound, April/May 2008

"...excellent source material tipped the scales for me. I loved the massed strings and dynamic headroom via The Tape Project’s master tape (duplicate -ed.) on the TAD Reference One..."

Jim Hannon's Best of Show - AVGuide.com, The Absolute Sound, April/May 2008

"Also on the 34th floor was Andrew Jones’ beautiful, three-way, floorstanding TAD Reference One loudspeaker ($60k)–with its famous concentric beryllium midrange/tweeter and two ported 10-inch woven-Aramid-sandwich woofers–fed by Ayre electronics and one of The Tape Project 15ips, two-track tape players. The sound on the tapes was, needless to say, astonishing."

Jonathan Valin - AVGuide.com, The Absolute Sound, April/May 2008

"A demo using the big, full-range TADs demonstrated that open-reel analog tape still smokes even high-resolution (24-bit/192kHz) digital."

Michael Fremer - Stereophile, April 2008

Impressions from Tape Project Subscribers

TP-003 - Oh my!

"Well, I finally got my homebrew preamp to a point where it's about listenable and hooked it up to my new Flux Magnetics head in my spare RS-1500 headblock. TP-003 (Arnold Overtures) has been on hand for a while, but I didn't want to listen until I had the IEC eq working, and that meant getting the preamp up and running. Wow.... I finally understand what everybody's talking about. Everything about the recording is just so right. There's just this orchestra out there in space, well not exactly in space, it's an orchestra in a complete acoustic environment and after a few moments I found myself listening with this big grin on my face, even giggling at parts of the goofy Christmas Overture. Beautiful, full clearly articulated lows, sweet highs and everything else in between just in the right place. I've never heard anything else like it in my house. To docb, romo and Paul you've hit it out the park! Thanks."

Subscriber Richard Lane, aka Scully 280

Get them while they last!

" Yesterday I finally was able to play my first Tape Project tape: TP-001 Jacqui Naylor, The Number White.

I'm using a Technics RS-1500 deck (without any of Doc mods -yet-) with its stock heads wired directly to a Seduction modified for tape playback, an extended Foreplay III and a pair of 45 amps (basically BHs excites) to a pair of edgarhorns.

I suscribed to the TP about a year ago, brought my tapes home after Christmas and finished my Seduction a few weeks ago but still needed some break-in time.

All I can say is Wow! This is the way it is supposed to be. The music and the singer's voice are as natural as they can be. You could listen to this stuff for hours and not get tired... Just fantastic.

My only problem is that I couldn't crank up the volume up because little Xavier and Jimena were sleeping. I guess I need to start working on my home's S.E.X. amp with Ni iron and BH cable upgrade on two sets of HD-600s that I have ready for whenever I finish my home theater.

Believe me, if you're thinking about jumping into the TP now is the time, when 2007 titles are still available: you won't regret it."
Charter Subscriber Xavier Cortes

"Until last night I had only used my tape Seduction in NAB mode on 4 track tapes at 7.5 IPS on my RS-1506. The results haven't been ideal as the level seemed lower than other sources.

Last night I cleaned the tape path and loaded up reel one of the Arnold Overtures (TP-003). Wow! Signal level was perfect. I poured two fingers of Lagavulin single malt and enjoyed 30+ minutes of incredible sound.

Thanks to Doc and the Tape Project gang."

Subscriber AZ Gary

"We opened a bottle of wine and threaded up TP-002 tonight. Another home run for the Tape Project. The sound of the guitar and Dave Alvin's voice reached out to us, not in a hyped up "audiophile" way, but in an emotional way, just as live music does. Can't wait for TP-003!"

Charter Subscriber Dan Robertson

"Mmm! Huh,.. did someone say something! Oh Yeah,.. I am listening to it right now. Talk about engaging! Nice job Romo. I think this is the mixing/mastering equivalent to the fear that TV stars had about close-ups when they caught wind of what HD TV was capable of. That's if you can stop tapping your foot long enough to listen into the mix. This sounds so good that it's hard not to be transported to the Camellia room. I was thinking that it might sound better than the demo tape but maybe it's more of a matter of getting the intent of the album and the mood of the players. The comments at the end of the cuts are wonderful. I don't know if they're on the CD but I'm a real sucker for this kind of thing.
The package came in perfect condition. The engraving looks mighty nice and I love the foil edge art. The pictures don't do justice to the package as a whole.
Michael's right though. I wouldn't put a $30 rib eye on the grill and figure that you'll listen to just one cut. You can forget about that! You won't want it to ever end!
Thanks guys,.. we're doin' the antler dance tonight!"

Charter Subscriber ironbut, about TP-001, Jacqui Naylor, The Number White

"Paul - package received, and I must say, very,very impressive. I am finishing up my MTR-10 alignment this weekend (just received my new heads from JRF), and hope to have TP-001 spinning for the holiday. My thanks to you and Doc and Michael for this wonderful initiative. Looking forward to all my selections in the coming weeks."

"I have received the TP-001 tape and I am extremely pleased with the results of the deck and the tape itself. Goose pimple good."

Subscriber Jack Fuller

"Mine arrived today..and I am pretty stoked. The packaging and presentation are outstanding.....the pictures don't do it justice. My hat is off to Doc B, Romo and Paul."

Charter Subscriber mikel

"I received TP 001 Wednesday evening. You have done an excellent job with The Tape Project. It is an absolute first class job in every detail. It was a true sense of satisfaction to hear the music and made the wait and effort into putting my system together well worth it. I wish you much success."

Subscriber Pete DeRosa

Impressions of the Tape Project from Head-fi NorCal Regional Meet, August 25, 2007

"one word--WOW. This had to be the most musical and emotionally moving listening experience I've encountered. It's extremely rare I can listen to unfamiliar music and feel so moved and hang on every note, wishing it not end. The (Tape Project) tape had an utter breathtaking realism that everything else just melted away. It doesn't do it justice to use audiophile terms, which usually best describe an artificial attempt at replicating sound. Dare I say it, the closest to the real deal--like being in the studio on the musicians side of the glass. While listening I had goosebumps, walking away I had goosebumps, a bit later talking about it I got goosebumps or even thinking about it right now I am relishing the moment and sighing long and hard because I don't know when something so emotionally intense can happen again."

Head-fi member 909

"It has already been said, but ironbut's rig is truly extraordinary. The same Tape Project (demo) tape was at HE2007 and on a hugemongous speaker setup it had the same impact on me. Natural, fleshy sound that cannot be beaten by digital sources, and I don't think that I have heard a vinyl setup that can match that same kind of sound."

Head-fi member Voltron

"Ironbut's Technics reel to reel > Bottlehead tape pre > Zana Duex > Ed9s this was the best sound I have EVER heard. The mastering on that reel was crazy good this rig removed the last pane of glass that separates you from the music. Not only was it detailed but had a lifelike quality that sends a shiver down your spine."

Head-fi member jp11801

"tape project...just **** amazing way to hear music. I listened to the classical recording on the tape and everything was so completely 3 dimensional in terms of sound...texture, soundstage, incredible weight to the music."

Head-fi member foo_me

TAS comments on the The Tape Project in the MAGICO room at CES 2007

"Folks, I've heard some mighty fine stereo systems over the years...But fed by the Technics tape deck and those Japanese oddball electronics from BA Labo, the Magico Model 6s reached a level of realism from full orchestra to solo voice that I've simply never heard matched." - Jonathan Valin, Best of Show CES 2007,The Absolute Sound, April/May 2007

"The best systems were Ray Kimber's...the Spectral system... and the MAGICO Model 6, fed from a 15ips analog tape machine." - Robert Harley, Best of Show CES 2007, The Absolute Sound, April/May 2007

"perhaps the most convincing recreation of a symphony orchestra I have ever heard" - Wayne Garcia, on hearing an excerpt from Arnold Overtures on the MAGICO/Tape Project combination, Best of Show CES 2007, The Absolute Sound, April/May 2007

Positive Feedback on Tape Project tapes in the E.A.R. U.S.A room at CES 2007

"the sound was no less than drop dead stunning. Dynamic, ultra-resolved, it makes digital high-res formats look pale, flat and sad in comparison." - Danny Kaey, 2007 CES, Positive Feedback Online Issue 29

The Tape Project has been organized for one purpose:

to make available to the discerning audiophile an analog listening experience that comes as close as possible to the experience of hearing the original master tape. A small group of music lovers has started securing the rights to release a variety of extraordinary recordings on high quality reel to reel tape. We have also assembled the highest quality duplicating system that has ever been attempted. The result, for those with ears to hear, is the most involving and satisfying experience that has ever come from reproduced music. Our plan is to release ten titles per year. These tapes are recorded as 15 inches per second two-track, one of the formats most common for analog master tapes. Each album normally comprises two reels.

The Music

When we started designing our release schedule, we had only two requirements in mind:

1) that the master exist on analog, and,

2) that the music be great. That it be music that moves us. That it be music that can stand the test of time, and continue to bring satisfaction for years.

Of course that narrows it down to only a couple hundred thousand possible titles. And in practical terms, it isn’t always up to us whether we can get access to the titles we’d like. The holders of the rights may or may not make them available. (All our music is fully licensed)

With those considerations in mind, here’s what to expect as we announce the upcoming releases. You can already see that we have broad tastes ourselves. Just in the initial releases you see Classical, Jazz, Blues and Roots music. You will see more of those. Definitely a solo piano title in the future. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a choral recording before long. We haven’t yet announced anything from one of the major pop stars, but don’t be surprised when we do. Considering how much all of us in the company love Blues, Roots and Americana you can count on seeing more of those.

We are not limiting ourselves to audiophile spectaculars. If the music is compelling, we’ll consider it. We are even offering a mono recording.

We are interested in hearing what you’d like us to pursue. You must be patient about this—sometimes securing a title can be a very lengthy exercise. But we’d like to hear from you regardless. Subscribers can post their wish lists on the Tape Project Forum.

Paul Stubblebine

The Process

Your master duplicates will be made on the highest quality duplicating line ever assembled.

	Master tapes are created on the Stubb-U-Sonic analog system in the Camellia mastering studio at the 1340 Mission studio complex. The mastering monitor system uses custom designed Magico loudspeakers and Bottlehead tube electronics.
Running masters are made directly from session or mix tapes, mastered on an ATR Services 1" two track ATR 100 with custom de Paravicini electronics, by Grammy Award winning mastering engineer Paul Stubblebine.
	These 1" running masters are played on a 1" Ampex MM1200 master tape machine conversion by ATR Services, using the legendary Ampex MR-70 tube reproduction electronics custom modified by Tim de Paravicini.
Your master duplicate is recorded in real time at 15 ips in two track format on 1/4" tape, on one of four tightly matched Ampex ATR 100s. During the duplicating process the tapes are constantly being monitored by an engineer, assuring that every tape is a perfect copy of the master. Each album takes as long to make as it takes for you to listen to it, so we can only make a limited number of albums each day.
	Each custom 10.5" reel is engraved with a catalog number indicating the A "side" and B "side" of the album, and a unique serial number. This custom engraving process takes nearly as long as making your album takes. It is then placed in a leather grained setup box with gold foil embellishment. Art quality pigmented ink on claycoat paper cover art is inserted between the two reel boxes. The printing process also takes nearly as long to do as duplicating your album from the running master. Each album has several hours labor in its making. larger image
The two reels and cover art are packaged in a matching leather grained and gold foil embellished slipcover with a matching serial number. Read here to find out how to acquire a Charter subscription which guarantees you a full set of the year's releases with matching serial numbers. larger image