Why not magnetic tapes in stead of vinyl records?

Converting formats of computer files, when needed, is relatively easy.

I just converted all my .wav files to FLAC, something I knew I would do eventually when I started several years back.

I did it with free MediaMonkey software, a few mouse clicks, and my existing external drives.

I converted about 200 CDs worth of files, about 1Tb in .wav format to about .5 Tb in lossless compressed format FLAC. IT did take about 48 hours for all files to convert given that volume of data, but it all worked as it should.

I expect FLAC to be around for quite a while. I do not know of anything at this time coming down the pipe that will necessitate a change again anytime soon, but "never say never".

I would love to convert all my large record collection to digital, but the work and cost involved to do that is prohibitive by far, not even remotely feasible, so I will keep playing those records as well as needed for teh foreseeable future and only convert the "must haves" to digital as time permits.

Whoops I converted about 2000 CDs actually, not just 200 as I typed prior.

That would take 1/10th the time to convert. :^)

I've tried to explain inconvenience of using R2R - nothing else. I don't have anything against analog but limited amount of available recordings made me concentrate on CD/computer playback. As for storing tapes in the attic - it is possibly the worst place to keep magnetic tapes since tapes are affected by high temperatures the most followed by temperature changes.

Kijanki, I speak from experience and I mentioned attics for a reason- tapes don't mind being heated up. In fact its a common practice in the studio to bake an older tape (with a polyester backing) as this chases moisture out of the tape and reduces sticking and shedding dramatically.

Once baked properly, the tape will likely play without shedding for months or several years before needing it again. Of course this practice only works if the tape is not totally shot to begin with...

I run an LP mastering operation; last year we did a reissue project of a local blues/folk musician (Spider John Koerner, for those keeping track, http://www.neros-neptune.com/spider-john-koerner-some-american-folk-songs-like-they-used-to-lp-cd/). The recording was not spectacular, but it was on reel to reel, stored that way in the attic of the artist since 1972. The tapes were in immaculate condition (surprise! -no baking needed!) despite being an early 'high output' formula.

Tapes don't mind being heated up one bit as long as its not excessive. Its a lot better for them than storing them in the basement! I still have cassette tapes in my old Bronco that are 30 years old and still play fine. I store them in the truck and they get heated (baked) there quite a lot. I have no doubt that is why they don't shed after all these years.

I guess baking and storage are different things since
recommendation from National Technology Alliance states:

"Storage at high temperatures ( > 74° F; > 23° C)
increases tape pack tightness. This results in distortion of
the tape backing and an increase in permanent dropouts as
wound-in debris is forced into the tape magnetic layer. Many
layers of tape before and after the debris can be affected
by impressions of the debris. Layer to layer adhesion, known
as tape blocking, also can result after long term storage at
elevated temperatures."

They also stated:

"Variations in temperature and humidity can cause tape
problems. Tape packs are wound under a considerable amount
of tension. This is necessary to maintain the shape of the
tape pack. A reel of tape can be permanently damaged if the
tape pack tension is too high or too low. If the tension is
too high, the tape backing can stretch. If the tension gets
too low, tape layers can slip past each other, resulting in
pack slip, cinching, or popped strands on playback (see
Figure 7). Relaxation of the tape backing can also occur if
the tape pack tension is not properly maintained.
Relaxation, stretching, and deformation of the tape backing
can cause mistracking of a videotape or sound distortion on
an audio tape. Every time a tape pack is heated or cooled,
the tape pack tension will increase or decrease,
respectively. The best way to reduce the degree of tape
backing distortion is to store magnetic media in an
environment that does not vary much in temperature or
humidity."

http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub54/5premature_degrade.ht
ml

Baked tapes.....yummy yummy!

Why not as long as one knows exactly what one is doing. That would not be me in this case. :^)