Wire Recording Transfer

Have you ever heard of a wire recorder before? Most people will tell you they have never heard of one if asked today. In the mid-1940s, wire recorders were the media of choice! Made from ultra-fine steel wires that didn’t exceed .0036 inches in diameter, about the size of a human hair.

During the first half of the 1950s, tape recorders rose in popularity due to their sudden affordability, simplicity, and compactness. Many started using tape recorders in home and office settings, which ultimately drove wire recorders out of the market by the early 1960s.

Wire recorders were marketed for both office use and as home entertainment devices. Unlike home-cut phonograph records, which could hold only a few minutes of audio on each side, the steel wire could be re-recorded on repeat and allowed for much longer, uninterrupted recordings. Typical Webster-style recorder spools hold approximately 7200 ft of wire and 1 hour of play/record time.

Believe it or not, wire recordings have aged well into today’s day and age. But the main obstacle these days is locating a functioning wire recorder. Our Webster recorder has been outfitted with modern electronics to create the best sonic reproduction available, Creative Audio Works can capture what was previously thought to be lost audio recordings from outdated media and deliver it to you via digital audio files or CD.

Do you have wire recordings you want to preserve and protect? Reach out to Creative Audio Works today, we can transfer them into a digital format using safe and professional techniques. Plus, we have the capabilities to reduce background noise present on wire recordings using audio restoration software – giving you incredibly clear audio recordings you thought would not be possible.

For more information about our transfer and audio archiving services, reach out today to speak with Stewart Adam.

Save the past today!

Splicing Wire Reel Recordings

Tie the ends of the wires together with a square knot.
Pull the knot tight.
Cut off the loose ends close to the knot.
This splice will pull through the groove of the recording head without catching.