Analog Audio Cassettes Still Hold Good Share Of Market

This just in: The trusty old analog audio cassette is still alive. More than that, despite much-bruited threats by the digital compact cassette (DCC) and the minidisk, the analog cassette can claim a new vote of confidence.

After slumping a bit in 1993, cassette tape recorders and players showed a resurgence in 1994. And the top vote-getter, by far, was the dual-well variety.

According to the Electronic Industries Association, dual-well cassette decks now outsell single units by a margin of 8-to-1.

It is hardly surprising that the cassette has retained its place in music lovers’ affections.

Analog tape remains the most convenient and inexpensive medium for making a decent copy of a favorite recording.

The sound of both DCC and minidisk is compromised by designed-in digital shortcuts that afford insufficient musical data.

Thus, the analog cassette stands not only unrivaled but, thanks to new recording technologies, more effective than ever.