99% Invisible
Long Strange Tape
Nov 22, 2023
Join Marc Masters, author of "High Bias," as he takes us on a nostalgic journey through the fascinating history of cassette tapes. Discover how their accessibility and portability made them beloved despite their audio flaws. The conversation highlights the unique relationship between cassettes and the Grateful Dead, diving into the cultural significance of bootlegging and tape trading. Plus, explore the shift from analog to digital experiences in music and how cassettes continue to resonate even in the prison system, offering comfort to inmates.
34:14
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Quick takeaways
- Cassettes gained popularity due to their portability and affordability, offering a cheaper and easier option for recording and playback compared to other formats.
- The Grateful Dead and their crew pioneered the recording and preservation of live shows, constantly playing and adjusting tapes to improve live sound.
Deep dives
The Rise of Cassettes: From Portable Convenience to Cultural Phenomenon
Cassettes gained popularity due to their portability and affordability, offering a cheaper and easier option for recording and playback compared to other formats. Despite lower audio quality, cassettes became a popular choice for voice recordings and music. The Grateful Dead, known for their live shows, embraced cassette taping, allowing fans to freely record and trade shows. As cassettes spread, fans created vast collections, cataloging and organizing recordings. The cassette format thrived in the prison system, providing prisoners with a means of escape and connection through music. The decline of cassettes came with the advent of digital formats, but they remain valuable as sentimental artifacts.
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