Handy Charts

Recording Tape Speeds



The following is a list of standard tape recording speeds and the typical usage. Frequency response varies from machine to machine, with tape formulation and thickness, and other variables. The response shown is typical with standard iron-oxide formulations. Formulations that add chrome oxide or use powdered iron can achieve better results. Very little data is available to illustrate these difference.

ips (in/s) cm/s Frequency Response Typical Use
30 76.2 20 Hz - 20 kHz Professional recording
15 38.1 20 Hz - 20 kHz Professional recording
19.05 50 Hz - 16 kHz Consumer tape recorders/Pre-recorded tapes
9.525 100 Hz - 12 kHz Consumer tape recorders
17⁄8 4.763 100 Hz - 10 kHz Cassette tapes
15⁄16 2.381 Very poor Voice, dictation, emergency dispatch logging
15⁄32 1.191 Extremely poor Microcassettes



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