About the Company
Ampex, founded in 1944 by Alexander P. Poniatov in California, was the pioneering American reel-to-reel manufacturer that commercialized high-fidelity audio tape recording in the late 1940s and dominated professional studio production through the 1970s–1980s. Ampex is widely regarded as the pioneer of professional magnetic tape recording in the U.S., supplying both studio-quality reel‑to‑reel audio recorders and industrial/instrumentation tape recorders. It was a key player in the U.S. broadcast, recording studio, and post-production industries for decades.
Key Production Timeline
1944–1947 — Company Formation & Early Projects
Alexander Poniatoff founded Ampex during WWII, focusing on electronics for military and industrial applications.
The first projects were industrial tape recorders and test equipment, not yet for mainstream audio studios. (Ampex History, Museum of Magnetic Recording)
1948 — Ampex Model 200
First commercially successful reel‑to‑reel tape recorder in the U.S.
Developed in collaboration with John T. Mullin, who brought German Magnetophon technology from WWII recordings to the U.S.
Significance: Marked the beginning of professional tape recording in American radio and music studios.
1950s — Expansion of Studio Tape Recorders
Introduced models such as Ampex 300, 350, 351, and 600 series, designed for high-fidelity music and broadcast recording.
These machines became the standard in U.S. radio stations and recording studios. (en.wikipedia.org)
1960s — Stereo and Multitrack Recording
Ampex 300/351: Stereo professional decks
Ampex MM-1000 (1965): First commercial 16-track tape recorder, a milestone in multitrack recording.
Supplied decks for recording studios, TV post-production, and film scoring. (Ampex Timeline)
1970s — Professional Audio & Industrial Tape
Produced models such as Ampex ATR-102, the legendary 2-track mastering deck still used in mastering today.
Expanded into industrial, instrumentation, and military recording systems.
Introduced solid-state technology to replace older vacuum tube designs.
1980s–1990s — Shift from Tape to Digital
As digital recording emerged, Ampex pivoted toward video and instrumentation recording, eventually phasing out mass-market reel-to-reel audio tape decks.
ATR-102 and similar high-end professional decks continued in niche studio use.
Notable Ampex Reel-to-Reel Models
Ampex 200 1948 First commercial US reel-to-reel tape recorder
Ampex 300/351 1950s Stereo, professional broadcast/studio machines
Ampex 600 1950s High-fidelity studio recorder
Ampex MM-1000 1965 First 16-track multitrack recorder
Ampex ATR-102 1970s 2-track stereo mastering deck, high-fidelity, professional
Technical Contributions
Professional-Grade Tape Machines
Ampex tape decks were rugged, precise, and used in broadcast and recording studios worldwide.Multitrack Innovation
Ampex invented 16- and 24-track recorders, enabling modern multitrack music production.Stereo and Mastering Decks
ATR series became industry standard for mastering vinyl records.Influence on U.S. Music Industry
Iconic studios like Capitol, Columbia, RCA, and Sun Records relied on Ampex machines.
Ampex decks were used for early Beatles recordings in the U.S. and countless classic albums. (en.wikipedia.org)
Decline of Consumer Reel-to-Reel
Ampex never focused on consumer tape decks like Akai or Revox.
Its reel-to-reel business remained professional and industrial.
By the 1980s, digital tape and digital audio workstations (DAWs) replaced much of the professional analog market.