Nagra SNST, a miniature reel-to-reel audio recorder optimized for #surveillance applications, circa 1977.



Slightly larger than two iPods, the mechanism runs virtually silently for six hours on two AA batteries, and can record about two hours of voice-grade stereo audio on each 2.75 inch reel of 1/8 inch wide tape. The device is operated with a single switch, with recording or playback selected depending on whether a microphone is attached. Rewind is via a retractable hand crank (the "T" shape between the two reels). A separate amplifier/speaker post-processor (not shown), called the "SNST-DSP" (an anachronistic misnomer, since it's not digital), filters and EQs the recorded audio for high-intelligibility playback. The first models date to 1962, with other versions of the SN-series recorder optimized for music and film applications (with features such as faster tape speed, higher fidelity, and full-track mono). This sample was bought surplus from a state police agency. It came with a tape, dated from 1996, of a "wired" confidential informant being sent to purchase drugs. #nagra #snst #audio