Last Manufacturer of Pro Analog Audio Tape Closes

goosman writes "Quantegy, the last manufacturer of professional reel-to-reel analog audio tape in the world has closed their plant in Opelika, AL leaving a reported 250 workers without jobs, according to the Opelika-Auburn News. Emtec (the former BASF, which used to be AGFA) was the last European manufacturer and ceased manufacuring in 2002. An audio account of the closing can be heard at NPR."

Re:Irony

[xjerky]

Well, at least it recursively explains why they had to shut down.

Re:Irony

[jaavaaguru]

My soundcard's not working. Does anyone have a copy of this story on reel to reel tape?

250 people lost their jobs?

[sakusha]

I didn't know there were even 250 people who still used analog reel-to-reel tapes. Perhaps there were more people making the tape than using the tape.

Re:Damn

[Atrax]

A dark day for those of us who loved the old analog sound.

It's OK, you can build a cheap simulator withtwo cell phones and a crinkly plastic bag.

(takes tongue back out of cheek)

Re:Didn't they used to be Ampex?

[raeler]

That's okay, there's an entire decade of music reels that can be recycled. Finally, a use for 80's music!

Everytime they change formats you have to upgrade.

[Momoru]

Great. Now I guess i finally have to upgrade to an 8-track.

Re:250 people lost their jobs?

[Anonymous Coward]

I go digital, then run it through my old tape recorder to get that great old analogue sound.

You mean noise? Or is your tape recorder oiled with snake oil?

Random 4 Letter Names

[SomeoneGotMyNick]

From the post: the former BASF, which used to be AGFA

The company will just change names and start over again. The new name will actually be....

(..pulls four scrabble tiles at random..)

QMAZ!!!

Holy Cow! Triple Word Score!!

Re:250 people lost their jobs?

[Squareball]

Those poor people.. how would they have ever seen it coming?

OT: Recursion Joke in Data Structures Text

[Embedded Geek]

I have a well thumbed copy of Data Structures and Algorithms [amazon.com] by Aho (the "a" in UNIX "awk," by the way), Ullman, and Hopcroft that I used for an algorithm class many moons ago. During the course, I spent a lot of time poking around the index looking for various things. I noticed the indexes' entry for "Recursive Procedure" includes the page number of the entry itself (see it here [amazon.com]).

The best jokes are always the subtle ones.

Re:OT: Recursion Joke in Data Structures Text

[Aardpig]

The best jokes are always the subtle ones.

Indeed. On the cover of "Numerical Methods that Work", by Acton, the word 'Usually' is faintly embossed (but not inked in) between 'that' and 'Work'. Superb!

Re:Irony

[tuxter]

I find it ironic that you use the word irony in relation to a metal oxide storage medium.....

In other news...

[phud]

buggy whip manufacturers report record low sales for 2004

Re:Didn't they used to be Ampex?

[hawk]

Finally, a use for 80's music!

Now wait a minute, younster. 80's music already performed one of the most important feats in history: the end of Disco . . .

hawk, who remembers the horror

Re:Yikes

[dimethylsulfoxide]

Yes, but can you play it back with a straight pin and a paper cup like vinyl records?

A good nuclear EMP will render digital playback equipment useless and erase magnetic media.

Re:No

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, actually it _is_ ironic, but evidently, you don't find it ironic.

Bender: Now that is irony.

[Cumstien]

REAL ROBOT DEVIL

You'll give me your hand in marriage!

REAL HERMES

Is this really happening or just being staged?

REAL FARNSWORTH

It can't be real.

REAL AMY

Not if Leela is engaged.

REAL LEELA [to Robot Devil]

That isn't what I meant.
That isn't what I signed!

REAL ROBOT DEVIL

You should have checked the wording in the fine - print.

REAL LEELA [reading contract]

I'll give you my hand-

REAL LEELA AND ROBOT DEVIL

In marriage.

REAL BENDER

The use of words expressing something of the other than the literal intention.
Now that is irony.

Re:Yikes

[SunFan]

Oh God, an audiophile flamewar. Slashdot editors, delete this thread, now! Oh no...it's too late! I'm melting....I'm melting....

Hahaha. Here, do this-

[schmaltz]

I thought you'd like some advise from a audio professional... If your Windows 2000 system is crashing its not the fault of the OS. Trust me on this.

Oh, okay. Here's how to crash Win2K on demand, Mister Audio P0rfessional. Download a copy of Exact Audio Copy, here-

http://exactaudiocopy.org/

Unzip it to a folder (machine w/Win2K, Sp2 onward.) Run eac.exe. Paf! Instant BSoD!

Now, reasonable operating systems do not allow this sort of degenerate behavior, because reasonable operating systems place system integrity above all else, whereas Windows places system integrity below ... below ...

... what was it that Win2K places above system integrity? Was it fancy GUI? Noo.. Speedy filesystem? No. Coherent and/or object-oriented system API? No! A high level of system security? Don't be stupid! Sophisticated scripting and shell? Confound it all!

When somebody lets us all know what it is Windows is good at, please post back? Thank you.

I just got my quadraphonic set up!

[Colonel Blimp]

Oh well, back to 8 track.

struder?

[RMH101]

is that the apple-struder model with the dolby cinnamon sprinkles?
Studer!

Re:How To Satisfy The Irony Police

[Bertie]

Actually, if you check the latest issue of the Oxford English Dictionary, you'll find the definition of irony is:

"David Blunkett losing his job as a result of intrusions into his private life"

See also: "Proof that God has a sense of humour"

Re:Irony

[Stepping Razor]

Being english I find this "irony" concept difficult to understand. Are there any americans out there who could explain it to me?

Re:How To Satisfy The Irony Police

[Anonymous Coward]

Example 3: A popular song called "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette that doesn't contain any actual irony. Ironic.