A tape machine is a type of audio recording equipment that's been around for decades. Often referred to as reel-to-reel machines, they used magnetic tapes to record and play back sound. However, with the rise of digital technology, their popularity started to wane. Today there are many synonyms for tape machine that describe this type of technology, such as "analog recorder," "tape recorder," "reel-to-reel recorder," "cassette player," "mixing console," and "analog audio workstation." Despite digital technology being the norm, many recording enthusiasts still prefer using tape machines, as they create a warmer, richer sound that can be difficult to replicate using digital equipment.