When you’re in a recording studio one of the first things you notice is the, size of the reels of tape. The familiar little plastic reels used for home recording are not to be found, instead dull aluminum reels, almost a foot across, spin around at breakneck speeds. During the last few years these large reels of tape have also been making their appearance on what the electronics industry calls “semi-professional” tape recorders. The 10.5 inch aluminum reel has become the symbol of this type of home recorder, indicating that it has professional potential.