How to Record Turntable Audio to Reel to Reel

Since turntable record players and reel-to-reel tape machines are both from the same era, it's only logical that you can easily record from the former to the latter. The best part is that the cables you must use to connect a turntable to a reel-to-reel for recording are still widely available.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Locate the RCA input and output ports for the turntable. These are the same style of RCA connectors used in more modern equipment. There will be the same type of ports located on the reel-to-reel machine.

2. Connect the two devices with an RCA audio cable, going from the turntable's output to the reel-to-reel's input. The red plug goes into the right port and the white goes into the left (many older ports aren't color coded).

3. Attach a grounding wire to the grounding connectors of the turntable and reel-to-reel (the small round metal knob beside the other ports). This will reduce the distortion during the recording.

4. Use headphones connected to the reel-to-reel to listen in on your recording.

5. Test the volume level of the music that you will be recording. The needles on the VU meters should hit the green-red border and not cross into the red zone. Adjust the reel-to-reel's volume controls to assure this.

6. Prepare the reel-to-reel by pressing the red record switches for the channel you're connected to. Then press the main "play" and "record" switches together.

7. Flip the switch that will start the tape reel, and the recording will begin. Place the turntable's needle on the edge of the record to begin playing it.