Cassette tapes are the most popular analogue audio format, with 30 billion+ produced to date. While many think that cassette tapes are history, they have made a comeback after lying dormant for decades. Tapes have truly re-emerged as the preferred audio format for musicians, bands, and artists. They are relatively cheap to produce, making them an ideal audio format from a margin perspective. Also, their nostalgic touch rekindles memories of the younger years. In this article, we will give you an insight into cassette tape duplication and how it works. We will also review the best cassette tape duplication companies in the USA, including package options, pricing and location.
How Does Cassette Tape Duplication Work?
Cassette tape duplication is the process of making duplicate copies from a pre-recorded audio cassette tape. This is known as the master tape. There are two options: real-time duplication and loop bin duplication.
In real-time duplication, the master tape is played at a standard speed into paralleled cassette decks that are loaded with cassettes. In loop bin duplication, the pre-recorded master tape is loaded into a duplicator bin, whereby the recording is done at a very high speed, and both sides of the cassette are recorded simultaneously.
One side of the cassette is recorded in one direction, and the other in the opposite direction. The master tape is played at high speed, generating audio signals for both sides, which are sent to an audio bus containing multiple slaves. The audio bus records onto open-faced cassette tapes in pancake form at the same high speed. Lastly, the audio data is transferred onto loaders, which have cassette shells known as C-zeros.
Without further ado, here is our list of the best cassette tape duplication companies in the USA!
1. National Audio Company
National Audio Company is the largest manufacturer of professional quality cassette tapes in the US. Located in Springfield, the company offers expert cassette duplication services to protect the integrity of your recordings.
The company is well-equipped to handle cassette duplication projects of any size. Additionally, they offer a free plaque with any cassette duplication order of 500 pieces or more, and a free t-shirt with any duplication order of 200 pieces or more.
Cassette packaging options include Norelco boxes and soft poly boxes. Due to the large number of orders they receive, National Audio Company has extended their turnaround to five weeks from the date you place your order to when the order is ready to ship.
2. A-Z Media Cassette Tape Duplication
New York-based company A-Z Media offers a wide range of cassette tape duplication services, including standard imprinting services and deluxe printing. Some of their imprinting services include silk screening, pad printing, die-cut paper labels, and 1/colour.
Their standard imprinting services include O/U cards, Norelco boxes in select colours, download cards, and J cards (standard & +1-5 panels). The company’s deluxe printing services include slipcases, boxes, and clamshells.
The company offers cassette duplication services starting from 100 units. Their tape bias includes Chrome, Chrome Plus, or Ferric. They offer C-01 to C-90 tape lengths and shells of different colours. Domestically, A to Z ships via UPS, FedEx, or freight. Internationally, they ship via UPS, DHL, TNT, Danchser, or direct air or sea freight. In terms of turnaround, A to Z media takes upwards of 30 days for complete duplication, imprinting, packaging, and assembly.
A-Z media’s packaging options include standard items such as J/0 Cards along with more deluxe options such as rigid slipcases to hold multiple tapes, folders, booklets, tray cards, and boxes in many configurations.
Their finishing options include embossing, debossing, die-cutting, foil stamping, hand-numbering, recycled stock, spot UV, screenprinting, and many more. They allow for a minimum order of 100 units.
3. Audio Geography Studios
Audio Geography offers real-time and high-speed cassette tape duplication services in all formats. Located in Tallahassee, FL, they use high-quality cassettes to guarantee top-quality results.
You can order a minimum of 25 copies. For imprinting services, they have a minimum order of 50 copies. With duplicating cassette tapes, their pricing starts from $35 for 50 copies and $65 for 100 copies. However, pricing is different when they provide cassette tapes. In this scenario, they charge $55 for 25 copies and $110 for 50 copies.
Furthermore, they also have the option for colour-sided inserts that come at an additional charge. The company also offers marble-painted tapes in a wide range of colours at $1.75 per tape.
4. Audio Duplicating Service
Audio Duplicating Service (ADS) is located in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and has been offering cassette duplication services since 1972. ADS uses specialised bin loop cassette tape duplicators.
You can duplicate 50 or 500 pieces. They offer a wide range of packaging options, including J-cards, Norelco cases, and shrink wraps.
Audio Duplicating Service offers a classic audio cassette package, which includes bin-loop master, chrome tape duplication (C-45), full-colour J-card, on-shell apex imprinting, clear Norelco case, and shrink-wrapping, starting at $185 for 50.
5. We Make Tapes And Discs – Cassette Tape Duplication
We Make Tapes And Discs is located in the heart of Music City (Nashville, TN).
The company’s turnaround time will vary from order to order depending on the master type, quantity, and duplication needs. Also, their turnaround time for cassette duplication ranges from one day to three weeks. Their pricing is based on the quantity and length of the audio data. They have quite broad pricing criteria.
- 250 pieces and above = 0.95 for pieces less than 20 minutes, $1.10 for 20-40 minutes, $1.20 for 41-60 minutes, and $1.30 for pieces longer than 60 minutes.
- 100 -249 pieces = $1.20 for pieces less than 20 minutes, $1.35 for 20-40 minutes, $1.45 for 41-60 minutes, and $1.55 for pieces longer than 60 minutes.
For a full breakdown of their costs, check out their website. Note: their prices are lower if you supply your cassettes. Their packaging options include Norelco boxes, poly Norelco boxes, shrink wrap, and J-card.
They accept payment in cash, check, money order, bank wire, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover. For orders of $250 or more, they require a deposit of one-half the subtotal with the balance due prior to pick-up or shipment.
6. Cryptic Carousel
Brooklyn-based cassette duplication company Cryptic Carousel can duplicate any length of cassette tape starting from a quantity of 50+. They are best known for their professionally duplicated super ferric cassette tapes.
Service options offered by Cryptic Carousel include:
- Full-colour J-cards, O-cards, or U-cards.
- Direct shell imprinting
- Full-colour laser-printed shell labels
- Custom shell/case options
- Digital download cards and shrink wrap
- Free test cassette (upon request)
Pricing-wise, they do have some visibility on their website. You can get 50 tapes with J-cards, shell print or labels and cases starting from $205, and 100 from $290. To get a more personalised quote, simply drop them an email. The email address is on their website.
7. Solid Merch
Solid Merch is a leader in custom cassette duplication & manufacturing, and provides easy online pricing and customisation. Order anywhere from 50 to 1000 units online, simply choose your options and upload your audio and artwork. Additionally, Solid-Merch offer dozens of shell colours, as well as an assortment of 1-colour imprint inks or full colour printed labels.
Packaging options include a variety of plastic case colours, full colour printed J-card inserts from 3 to 8 panels, and individual shrink wrapping. Additional available features include printed outer sleeves (O-cards) and hosted download cards to make your release stand out. Plus, further customisation and larger quantities are available on request. Clients recommend Solid-Merch for speed, quality, and excellent customer service.
Final Thoughts
These are some of the best cassette duplication companies in the USA. As to which is the best, it depends on personal needs, budget, preferred packaging material, and other factors. In terms of pricing, National Audio Company, Audio Geography Studios, and We Make Tapes & Discs offer favourable prices.
I hope you enjoyed our review, and that it has saved you some time. Happy cassette hunting! If you have songs that you want to share in a different format – we want to help get them noticed. This includes promoting your music and improving your streaming presence! Also, check out our Sync opportunities page to get your music in TV and Film.
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