IN-AKUSTIK MASTER TAPE EDITIONS BRING NEW RELEASES TO THE REEL-TO-REEL MARKET
German cable brand and record label in-akustik has introduced a series of new In-Akustik Master Tape Editions, available in three reel-to-reel tape formats: Start, Standard, and Studio.
Each tape is produced individually in real time using Studer A80 machines, ensuring consistency and care in the duplication process.
IN-AKUSTIK MASTER TAPE EDITIONS MASTERING APPROACH
The releases are created from newly prepared analogue masters, transferred from high-resolution digital sources. Mastering is carried out by Christoph Stickel, a Grammy-nominated engineer with extensive experience across labels such as ECM and Deutsche Grammophon. His work focuses on maintaining musical fidelity while respecting the intent of the original recordings.
CHRISTOPH STICKEL AND IN-AKUSTIK MASTER TAPE EDITIONS
Christoph Stickel has been mastering recordings since 1992 and has worked on more than 5,000 albums. Among his notable projects is the remastering of Keith Jarrett’s Köln Concert. With long-standing expertise in analogue tape machines, Stickel combines technical accuracy with musical sensitivity, making careful decisions on when to intervene and when to preserve the original recording without adjustment.
IN-AKUSTIK MASTER TAPE EDITIONS PRODUCT VARIANTS
Three versions of the Master Tapes are available:
Start Edition: ¼”, 2-track, NAB, 7.5 ips (19 cm/s), RTM LPR90 tape, 250 nWb/m reference level, supplied on one metal reel with eco packaging.
Standard Edition: ¼”, 2-track, CCIR, 15 ips (38 cm/s), RTM LPR90 tape, 320 nWb/m reference level, supplied on one metal reel with eco packaging.
Studio Edition: ¼”, 2-track, CCIR, 15 ips (38 cm/s), RTM SM900 tape, 510 nWb/m reference level, supplied on two metal reels with deluxe packaging.
Each copy is produced manually in real time, with all packaging manufactured in small runs to match the hand-finished approach of the tapes themselves.
IN-AKUSTIK MASTER TAPE EDITIONS NEW MUSIC RELEASES
A highlight of the new catalogue is “One Of These Nights” by Al Di Meola, presented in a fresh mix taken directly from the original multitrack recordings. In addition, the “Studio Concert” series captures performances recorded direct-to-2-track analogue tape, aiming to preserve the immediacy of live music.
IN-AKUSTIK MASTER TAPE EDITIONS PRICING
Prices vary depending on the edition. For example, One Of These Nights by Al Di Meola is priced at €350 for the Start Edition, €476 for the Standard Edition, and €595 for the Studio Edition.
HiFi PiG Says: The In-Akustik Master Tape Editions should be popular with reel-to-reel enthusiasts at all levels.
