Audio Digitization: Rescuing the Sounds of the Past
We transform your magnetic tapes, cassettes, and vintage reels into high-resolution digital archives, preserving every nuance of your family recordings and musical heritage.
Sound possesses a unique ability to instantly transport us back to specific moments in our lives. However, magnetic media are inherently fragile. Over the decades, tapes degrade, oxide sheds, and the risk of total information loss increases with every passing day. At Stionhub, we understand that these recordings are not merely data, but the sonic legacy of a generation.
We utilize professional playback equipment, meticulously calibrated to ensure that the transfer is faithful to the original source. We do not simply copy the sound; we analyze tape tension and playback speed to eliminate distortions, ensuring that the voices of your loved ones or your early musical compositions are preserved with the maximum possible clarity in modern, compatible formats.
Our Digitization Process
Reception and Diagnosis
Every medium undergoes a visual inspection. We verify the tape's physical condition, checking for mold or hydrolysis syndrome (Shedding) to determine if prior stabilization treatment is required.
Equipment Calibration
We adjust the read heads according to the tape type and the original recording speed (especially critical for Reel-to-reel), eliminating electrical noise and optimizing equalization.
High-Fidelity Capture
The transfer is performed in real-time using professional-grade analog-to-digital converters, capturing audio in lossless formats to ensure there is no destructive compression.
Quality Control and Delivery
We review the final files to ensure there are no cuts or skips. The files are organized according to your description and delivered on your chosen digital medium.
Who is this service for?
Our audio specialization is designed for various profiles who possess at-risk analog archives. Primarily, we serve families who keep cassettes featuring the voices of ancestors, lullabies, or interviews recorded decades ago, and who wish to ensure these voices do not vanish along with the degradation of the plastic medium.
We also work closely with musicians and collectors who own original demos on reels or studio tapes that were never edited. Furthermore, we assist small cultural associations or local archives in Málaga that need to migrate their sonic records to digital formats for public consultation or historical preservation.
How we handle sonic transfers
Audio digitization is not an automated process. Every tape is different. In our studio, we prioritize the safety of the original medium. If we detect that a tape is excessively tight or sticky, we proceed with a controlled manual cleaning before it ever touches the heads, preventing the tape from breaking or tangling in the machine.
The capture is performed through an optimized signal chain. The audio travels from the analog source to a low-noise preamplifier and then to a professional audio interface. This workflow avoids the introduction of electromagnetic interference, common in home equipment, achieving superior sonic purity.
What the client should prepare
To optimize delivery times and avoid errors in organization, we ask our clients to follow these guidelines:
- Clear Labeling: If possible, indicate the content of each tape or the order of priority.
- Inventory: A simple list with the number of media items being delivered.
- Technical Information: In the case of reels, if you know the recording speed (e.g., 7.5 ips or 3.75 ips), please specify it.
- Secure Packaging: Use rigid boxes to prevent tapes from being crushed during transport to our premises on Calle Larios.
Final Result: What do you receive?
Upon completion of the process, you will receive your digital files organized and named according to your inventory. We offer delivery in WAV (lossless, studio quality) or MP3 (high quality, ideal for sharing), depending on your needs. Files can be delivered on a USB drive, via a cloud download link, or on an external hard drive provided by the client.
In addition to the files, we return your original media intact. We recommend reading our guide on which format to use for your family archive to ensure your new digital copies remain accessible in the future.
Execution and Delivery Timelines
Processing time depends on the volume of material and the condition of the tapes. The average delivery time is 10 days, although the maximum execution time according to our business rules is 12 working days. If you require urgent delivery, a 50% surcharge on the standard rate is applied, subject to schedule availability.
Service Limitations: What we do not do
It is important to clarify that Stionhub is a preservation and digitization center, not a piracy operation. For legal and ethical reasons, we do not make copies of tapes containing copyright-protected material (such as commercial albums, professional radio recordings, or movies), unless the client is the rights holder.
We also do not perform advanced audio restoration services that involve reconstructing totally lost signals or isolating voices in recordings with extreme noise, unless a specific hourly restoration budget is agreed upon.
Price Transparency and VAT
Our pricing is presented clearly. In the table below, you will see the rate per unit. The final price includes the 21% VAT applicable in Spain. For professional clients (B2B), we issue the corresponding invoice, and the payment term is 15 days. The start of work requires a prior deposit of 30% of the total budget, as per our terms of service.
Included Service Details
Each audio digitization order includes the following points:
- Initial technical inspection of each magnetic medium.
- Superficial cleaning of read heads before each tape.
- Speed synchronization to avoid "stretching" sonic effects.
- Conversion to lossless digital format (WAV) and compressed version (MP3).
- File naming based on the client's inventory.
- Security storage of the digital copy for 60 days after delivery.
- Return of originals in the same state they were received.
| Media Type | Price excl. VAT | Price incl. VAT (21%) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio cassette | 12.40 € | 15.00 € | per support |
| Reel-to-reel | 37.19 € | 45.00 € | per support |
Frequently Asked Questions about Audio
What happens if my tape is broken or tangled?
We have professional splicing tools to join broken tapes without losing content. If the tape is tangled, we untangle it manually with extreme care before attempting any playback.
Can I choose the final audio format?
Yes. By default, we provide WAV for maximum quality and MP3 for ease of use. If you require a specific format (such as FLAC or AIFF), you can request it at the time of delivery.
How do you send the files if I cannot visit Málaga?
We can upload your files to a secure cloud folder with a private download link, or send a USB memory stick via certified mail after coordination.
How long do you keep the digital copy on your servers?
We maintain a backup copy of your files for 60 calendar days after final delivery. After this period, data is permanently deleted for privacy reasons.
Do you have questions about the condition of your tapes or need a personalized quote?
Contact Audio Specialist