Cleaning reel to reel tapes

Big-Steve wrote on 10/26/2025, 11:46 AM

I have some old reel to reel tapes from the 1960s which have some sections where the recording has faded and sounds muffled. Is there any way to improve these sections? I've tried the normal cleaning which only gives a slight improvement. I want to make CDs from these tapes and would like the best quality sound possible.I am using SF audio cleaning lab 3 on Windows 10

Comments

rraud wrote on 10/27/2025, 11:01 AM

You can try EQ, volume adjustments and the ACL restoration tools. I am not sure about ACL, but with SF Pro, you can automate most plug-ins' parameters. The volume automation (envelope) is relatively easy to adjust. EQ and other Fx can be more intensive. There are third-party exciters available (free and otherwise) to restore high mid and high end presence if some parts are 'dull 'sounding.

btw, I moved your post to the ACL forum.