audio tape
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audio tape
A long, narrow magnetic tape used for the analog recording and playback of sound (audio). It is usually wound on reels and played on a tape recorder.
Im Archiv fanden sie alte Interviews, die noch auf Tonband aufgenommen waren.
In the archive, they found old interviews that had still been recorded on audio tape.
The word is made up of 'der Ton' (in the sense of audio/sound) and 'das Band' (tape). So it is literally a tape on which sounds are stored.
Die Qualität der alten Tonbänder war erstaunlich gut.
The quality of the old audio tapes was surprisingly good.
When describing that something is recorded, you use the fixed expression 'auf Tonband' (on audio tape). Typical verbs are 'aufnehmen' (to record), 'aufzeichnen' (to record), or 'haben' (to have).
Die Polizei hat das gesamte Geständnis auf Tonband aufgezeichnet.
The police recorded the entire confession on audio tape.
'Tonband' (audio tape) refers to an outdated technology. Today the term is mostly used when talking about the past, archives, or old recordings.
Mein Großvater hörte sich oft Musik von einem alten Tonbandgerät an.
My grandfather often listened to music from an old tape recorder.
ribbon / band
'das Band' and 'das Tonband' can both refer to a long, narrow strip. However, 'das Band' is much more general and can be made of fabric, plastic, or metal and used for tying, decorating, or technical purposes. 'das Tonband' is a special kind of tape: it stores sound and is played on a tape recorder. The words can be confused because a 'Tonband' is also a kind of 'Band'. When the topic is music, voices, or old recordings, 'Tonband' is more precise. For a gift, a marker, or a simple strip, 'Band' fits better.
Im Keller fand Max ein altes Tonband mit der Stimme seines Großvaters.
In the basement, Max found an old audio tape with his grandfather's voice on it.
Sie klebt ein breites Band auf den Karton, damit er nicht aufgeht.
She sticks a wide strip of tape onto the box so it doesn't open.