About the Company
Analog Audio Design — French Reel-to-Reel Tape Deck Maker
Company: Analog Audio Design
Founder: Christophe Martinez
Country: France (Pleumeur-Bodou, Bretagne)
Active Since: ~2020–present
Focus: High-end reel-to-reel tape players and recorders with modern engineering grounded in classic analog principles.
Unlike most historic manufacturers of reel-to-reel decks (which were mid-century analog brands), Analog Audio Design is a new entrant in the tape world, emerging in the 21st century to reinvigorate the format with modern precision and build quality.
Origins and Founding
The company was founded around 2020 by Christophe Martinez, a French engineer with 25 years of experience in electronics and firmware design (including flight simulator systems).
Martinez had previously worked with the Mulann Group, a French industrial firm that today owns key magnetic tape production knowledge and manufacturing (including the RecordingTheMasters brand). His exposure to analog tape engineering there helped shape the vision for a new generation tape deck.
Development & First Product — TP-1000
Concept and R&D (2018–2022)
Development of the company’s first machine, the TP-1000 tape deck, was a multi-year process starting from a blank slate rather than redesigning vintage hardware. It took about five years of research and engineering before the first units were produced.
Martinez designed the mechanical structure, electronics, interface, and transport systems largely in-house, combining classic analog tape principles with modern control systems such as microprocessor-based tension control, DC motors, and touch-screen interfaces.
Launch & Specifications (2023–24)
TP-1000 — First product launched around early 2023 and commercially available since then. It is a quarter-inch (¼″), two-track tape player designed primarily for playback (a recorder version called TR-1000 is also in development/availability).
It supports 15 ips and 7.5 ips tape speeds, with switchable NAB or IEC equalization curves.
The design blends belt-drive and DC motor technology with microprocessor control and modern UI (including a touchscreen and optional remote control via smartphone/tablet).
Precision alloy parts are manufactured in France at the company’s headquarters in Pleumeur-Bodou (Brittany), and assembly is done on-site.
Engineering and Design Philosophy
Analog Audio Design’s machines are notable for:
Precision mechanical design — microprocessor-regulated tape tension via strain gauges and DC motors for stable tape movement.
High-quality magnetic heads sourced from AM Belgium, using designs compatible with classic professional decks such as Studer machines.
Modern controls — touchscreen interface, Ethernet/RJ45 connectivity, firmware updates, and optional remote control.
High-fidelity focus — optimized playback electronics, accurate tape handling, and build quality that positions the TP-1000 toward audiophile and prosumer markets.
Products and Models
TP-1000
Primary flagship — premium tape playback deck.
Designed with two speeds (15 ips, 7.5 ips) and two-track analog playback.
Uses a mix of classic analog components (magnetic heads, analog signal paths) and modern digital controls.
Typically priced around $26,000 – $27,000 USD for the standard model.
TP-1000 Gold Edition and Accessories
A Gold Edition variant with premium finishes and possibly extended features.
Optional accessories include remote control units (RC-1000) and rack mounts.
TR-1000 Recorder
A record/playback version planned and discussed, intended to expand the range into full analog recording.
Market Presence and Reception
Analog Audio Design’s TP-1000 has been shown at major audiophile and industry events, including Munich High End and the Southwest Audio Fest in the U.S., drawing attention as one of the few new fully engineered reel-to-reel decks in production.
It has also been reviewed positively in specialist press such as The Absolute Sound magazine’s Golden Ear 2024 feature for its engineering and sound quality.
Distribution in the U.S. and internationally is often handled through high-end audio specialists such as Pro Audio Ltd.
Position in the Reel-to-Reel Landscape
Analog Audio Design represents a rare modern manufacture of new reel-to-reel hardware at a time when most existing decks are vintage machines maintained by specialists. Its blend of classic analog fidelity and contemporary engineering positions it alongside other recent boutique efforts (e.g., Metaxas & Sins, Thorens TM-1600) but with a distinct French design ethos and small-batch craftsmanship.
In short: Analog Audio Design is not a historic mid-century manufacturer but a modern French company dedicated to reinvigorating reel-to-reel tape with new precision engineering and audiophile-grade components. Its TP-1000 deck is the centerpiece of its production, blending classic analog performance with modern usability.