About the Company
Presto Recording Corporation was an American company with roots in recording technology that also produced reel‑to‑reel tape recorders in the late 1940s through the 1950s. Its tape decks were aimed primarily at broadcast, studio, and higher‑end consumer or semi‑professional markets.
Manufacturer: Presto Recording Corporation (originally Presto Products Company)
Country: United States
Reel‑to‑Reel Production: circa 1949–1957 (with ongoing corporate existence until mid‑1960s)
Electronics: Vacuum tube (tube) designs
Track Formats: Typically ½‑track stereo or full‑track mono depending on model
Target Users: Broadcast, studio, semi‑pro, and demanding consumer use
Company Background & Broader History
Early Origins (1915–1930s)
Presto’s origins date back to 1915, when the Presto Products Company was founded. The firm initially focused on disc recording and playback equipment, including phonographs and later lacquer coated instantaneous recording discs that became an industry standard in broadcast and studio use from the 1930s onward.
In 1933 the firm reorganized as Presto Recording Corp and became well‑known for its instant recording disc technology, which was adopted by major broadcasters such as NBC and CBS in the 1930s.
Entry into Magnetic Tape (Late 1940s)
After World War II, Presto expanded into magnetic tape recording — initially inspired by tape technology seen overseas after the Nuremberg Trials — and began developing its own reel‑to‑reel tape machines around 1948–1949.
Presto’s reel machines were tube‑based and robustly engineered, with multi‑head and multi‑motor configurations on better models, reflecting professional and studio expectations of the era.
Representative Presto Reel‑to‑Reel Models
Presto produced several reel‑to‑reel models through the late 1940s and 1950s. Key examples include:
900‑P / PT‑900 (circa 1949–1952)
Category: Early vintage tube‑based reel recorder
Headcount: 3 heads
Speeds: 7½ and 15 ips
Reel Size: Up to 7″
Electronics: Tube school amplifier, 3‑mic recording capability
Application: Consumer to semi‑pro recording
This unit, sometimes called PT‑900, combined a precision transport (R7) with Presto amplifiers and offered multi‑mic recording and full monitoring features.
RC‑7 (circa 1950–1953)
Category: Vintage tube reel recorder
Track: Full‑track mono (½‑track compatible)
Speeds: 7½ & 15 ips
Reel Size: 10½″ capability
Heads: 3, permalloy
Features: Heavy‑duty construction and rugged transport for field/studio use
The RC‑7 was regarded as a rugged, reliable machine, often paired with high‑quality amplifiers and mixers in studio environments.
SR‑11 (circa 1954–1957)
Category: Console‑style reel recorder
Headcount: 3 heads
Speeds: 7½ & 15 ips
Reel Size: 10½″
Application: Studio or fixed installation use
Electronics: Tube‑based with hinged service access
The SR‑11 was a heavier console version of earlier transports with integrated amplifiers, designed for professional facilities.
Late Models (e.g., 850, A908 – late 1950s)
By the late 1950s, Presto introduced stereo tape recorders such as the Presto 850 and A908, but these arrived late in the market and could not compete with the influx of lighter, less expensive consumer brands.
Corporate Changes & End of Production
1956: Acquisition
Presto Recording Corporation was sold on July 2, 1956 to Unitronics Corporation of New York. It was merged with the David Bogen Co., forming the Bogen‑Presto division — continuing recording equipment production for a time under the combined banner.
1960s: Brand Phase‑Out
Under Unitronics and later Lear‑Siegler ownership, the Presto name and product lines faded. The Presto name was eventually dropped entirely by the mid‑1960s, and by 1965 Presto had exited the recording equipment business, including reel‑to‑reel tape machines.
Market Position & Legacy
Broadcast & Studio Use
Presto’s reel‑to‑reel tape recorders were solid‑tube, heavy‑duty machines that served radio stations, studios, and broadcast facilities in the 1950s. They were often selected for reliability and professional features rather than low cost.
Near High‑End Performance
Some later models (especially those with stereo support and multi‑mic capability) are still regarded today by enthusiasts as capable performers compared to other early consumer/pro semi‑pro decks.
Historical Importance
Presto’s significance in audio history predates its tape machines — its lacquer recording disc technology helped set broadcast standards in the 1930s — but its tape recorder production remains a noteworthy chapter in the evolution from discs to magnetic tape in professional and semi‑professional contexts.