The album "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" (1968) by Iron Butterfly has been credited with increasing the sales of 8-tracks. An additional problem with 8-track players was double-tracking: after a while, two songs would play at the same time. Splicing an 8-track was lots of fun, and often happened when the glue at the end of the tape would dry and the tape would come off. With no screws visible, I had to take a screwdriver to pry the case open. Splicing the tape was easy, but great patience was required in getting the tape around the loops and putting the case back together.
People didn't switch to the cassette because it sounded better, it actually sounded much worse except in a few circumstances, but cassettes were designed from the start to be recorded on, and that's mainly what made them more popular. There were some 8-track recorders, but they were rare, as it was designed as a vehicle listening medium. Cassettes were designed for voice dictation, and evolved to be capable of reproducing music, so the recording infrastructure was always there.
It’s important to make clear that the 8-Track Cartridge held four individual segments of 2-track stereo. The player would have a button that would cycle thru these four “programs”.
I didn't know that the 8 track went as far back as 1965. I bought a couple as a young teenager in the 70s. But I was under the impression that they were new.
sound quality was pretty bad, the 15 minute loop meant auto track switching would take part of the way through a track/song...I don't think anybody misses them really.
Actually people did like them when they first came out. But as they started to fail and deteriorate due to poor manufacturing, then people started hating them (and for good reason). 8-track tapes cannot make a comeback because the parts they are made of actually disintegrate over time. First, they all have a piece of splicing tape that connects the ends of the loop. The sticky part of this tape disintegrates causing the tape to be eaten by the player. Every single tape. Then there is a pad behind the tape in the center, which also disintegrates. It actually disappears. Then there is a rubber roller which can melt over time. It takes too much effort and time to repair these three parts of every 8-track tape cartridge.
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The album "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" (1968) by Iron Butterfly has been credited with increasing the sales of 8-tracks. An additional problem with 8-track players was double-tracking: after a while, two songs would play at the same time. Splicing an 8-track was lots of fun, and often happened when the glue at the end of the tape would dry and the tape would come off. With no screws visible, I had to take a screwdriver to pry the case open. Splicing the tape was easy, but great patience was required in getting the tape around the loops and putting the case back together.
People didn't switch to the cassette because it sounded better, it actually sounded much worse except in a few circumstances, but cassettes were designed from the start to be recorded on, and that's mainly what made them more popular. There were some 8-track recorders, but they were rare, as it was designed as a vehicle listening medium. Cassettes were designed for voice dictation, and evolved to be capable of reproducing music, so the recording infrastructure was always there.
I had one that you could record with using mics. But quality was not their best feature.😁
I was all set to buy an 8-track when audio cassettes exploded on the scene and all the prerecorded 8-track tapes disappeared from the store shelves.
Those were the days my friend!
It’s important to make clear that the 8-Track Cartridge held four individual segments of 2-track stereo. The player would have a button that would cycle thru these four “programs”.
Fresh from the recording studio.... no download fees to 8track tapes 😊 better than 4track ,cassette, cd,reel to reel
I didn't know that the 8 track went as far back as 1965. I bought a couple as a young teenager in the 70s. But I was under the impression that they were new.
I think its a lot like the CD. It came out in 82-83 but if you ask most people they will probably tell you like 1990ish.
Wait... so you're saying 8-track is obsolete? Looks like I'll have to switch to cassettes like everyone else...
😅
sound quality was pretty bad, the 15 minute loop meant auto track switching would take part of the way through a track/song...I don't think anybody misses them really.
Actually people did like them when they first came out. But as they started to fail and deteriorate due to poor manufacturing, then people started hating them (and for good reason).
8-track tapes cannot make a comeback because the parts they are made of actually disintegrate over time. First, they all have a piece of splicing tape that connects the ends of the loop. The sticky part of this tape disintegrates causing the tape to be eaten by the player. Every single tape. Then there is a pad behind the tape in the center, which also disintegrates. It actually disappears. Then there is a rubber roller which can melt over time. It takes too much effort and time to repair these three parts of every 8-track tape cartridge.
8-tracks sucked. no one liked them.
I liked them for about a month then something went wrong with the player or the tape.