Recording head

A recording head is the physical interface between a recording apparatus and a moving recording medium. Recording heads are generally classified according to the physical principle that allows them to impress their data upon their medium. A recording head is often mechanically paired with a playback head, which, though proximal to, is often discrete from the record head.

The two most common forms of recording head are:
* Magnetic - Magnetic recording heads use the principles of electromagnetism to coerce a paramagnetic recording medium, such as iron oxides, to orient in a readable manner. Record heads are constructed of laminated permalloy, ferrite, or sendust. As of 2006 this is by far the most dominant type of head in use.

* Optical - Optical recording heads use the principles of optics and light to impart energy on a recording medium, which accepts the energy in a readable manner, e.g. by melting or photography.

Note that Magneto-optical recording, though using optics and heat, should properly be considered a magnetic process, since the data stored on magneto-optical media is stored magnetically.

Earlier systems, such as phonograph records, used mechanical heads known as styli to physically cut grooves in the recording medium, in a configuration (of size, width, depth and position) recoverable as sound.

ee also

*VTR
*Sound recording and reproduction
*Videotape
*Cassette
*Video head cleaner
*Cassette demagnetizer

External links

* [http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/audio/tape.html Diagrams and explainations] of recording heads and the tape recording process.
* [http://www.manquen.net/audio/docs/Ampex%20ATR-100%20Record%20Construction.htm An Ampex recording head] , deconstructed.
* [http://www.skidmore.edu/academics/music/att/2TkHeadStack.html A tape recorder] , showing the head assemblies.
* [http://home.att.net/~uncamarvy/Wire/wc10.jpgPhoto] of an early recording head as part of a wire recorder.