Nagra facts for kids

Nagra III with Pilottone

Nagra VI

Nagra is a famous brand of portable audio recorders. These recorders have been made in Switzerland since 1951. They are known for being very high-quality and reliable. Nagra first made equipment for movies and TV shows. Later, they also started making fancy audio gear for music lovers.

The original Nagra recorders were made by the Kudelski Group. Today, a different company called Audio Technology Switzerland S.A. develops and sells Nagra products. They are based in Romanel-sur-Lausanne, Switzerland.

History of Nagra Recorders

The very first Nagra machines were designed by a clever Polish inventor named Stefan Kudelski. His company won many special awards for how precise and reliable their recorders were. The name "Nagra" actually means "it will record" in Polish, which was Kudelski's native language.

From the 1960s to the 1990s, Nagra tape recorders were the top choice for recording sound in movies. They were also widely used for TV shows that used a single camera.

How Sound and Picture Stayed in Sync

In the early days, a physical wire connected the Nagra recorder to the camera. This wire sent a special pulse from the camera onto the tape. This made sure that the sound and picture stayed perfectly together.

Later, a new technology called crystal sync came along. This meant the recorder and camera could work separately. Each had its own super accurate clock. This allowed the sound person much more freedom to move around. This method was often called "double system sound."

Different Nagra Models

Nagra recorders have different numbers to show their generation and features. Here are some of the important ones:

Early Nagra Recorders

• NAGRA I – This was the very first test model. It came out in 1951. It used a clockwork motor and tiny tubes. Only two were sold.
• NAGRA II – This was the first model made for sale in 1953. It was an improved version of the Nagra I.
• NAGRA II CI – This model, from 1955, used new printed circuit boards. These replaced the older, more complex wiring.

Nagra Models for Film

• Nagra III NP – This was the first Nagra that could be used for film work. It came out in 1958. It recorded sound in mono (single channel).
• Nagra IV-L – This mono recorder was introduced in 1968. It had two microphone inputs. It also had a built-in audio limiter to prevent sound from getting too loud.
• Nagra 4.2 – This model came out in 1972. It was similar to the IV-L. It could also power microphones and had built-in sound equalizers.

Nagra IV-STC (with timecode)

• Nagra IV-S – This was the first stereo Nagra, released in 1971. It could record two channels of sound. It had controls for sound levels and equalizers.
• Nagra IV-STC – In 1984, Nagra added timecode support to the IV-S. Timecode helps to perfectly match sound and picture.

Nagra IV-STC internal

• Nagra IS – Introduced in 1974, this was a smaller, lighter recorder. It was designed to be easy to use for film and broadcast. It was nicknamed "idiot proof" by some users.
• NAGRA E – This was a simpler, single-speed mono recorder. It was made for radio reporters in 1976.

All the machines mentioned above used 1/4-inch wide tape.

Série Noire (SN) Recorders

Kudelski SA also made a series of very small reel-to-reel recorders. These used a special tape that was only about 3.81 mm wide. These tiny machines were called SN, which stands for "Série Noire" (Black Series). The idea for these recorders originally came from President Kennedy for the United States Secret Service.

Nagra SNS

The SN range included these models:

• Nagra SNN – This was a mono recorder.
• Nagra SNS – This mono recorder could record for a longer time.
• Nagra SNST – This was a stereo recorder. It was mostly used by security services to record two different people talking.
• Nagra SNST-R – This model offered full hi-fi stereo sound.

Digital Recorders

By the mid-1990s, digital recorders became more common. Nagra then created its own digital recorders:

• Nagra D – This was a 4-channel digital audio recorder. Instead of DAT tapes, it used a special digital reel-to-reel format. It was quite heavy, so it wasn't popular with everyone.
• Nagra ARES C – Introduced in 1995, this recorder was designed for radio broadcasting. It was "tape-less," meaning it recorded onto computer memory cards. It was portable and battery-operated.

Nagra V

• Nagra V – This was a 2-channel digital audio recorder. It recorded onto removable hard drives. It was much lighter than the Nagra D. However, other companies' digital recorders became more popular in film and TV.
• Nagra VI – Released in 2008, this recorder could handle 6 and later 8 channels. It records onto an internal hard drive. It also has many features for professional sound recording.
• Nagra Seven – This 2-track recorder came out in 2013. It's very flexible and can be used for many different jobs. It can be adapted for broadcast or film and TV markets.

Nagra for Home Audio (Hi-fi)

In 1997, Nagra started making high-end audio equipment for people who love music. This equipment is for listening at home, not for professional recording. They have made special amplifiers, CD players, and other devices. Many experts say Nagra's home audio products are among the best in the world.

Nagra Recorders in Movies

Nagra audio recorders have appeared in many famous films, including:

• Klute (1971) — Nagra SN
• THX 1138 (1971) — Nagra III
• The Conversation (1974) — Nagra SN
• Diva (1981) — Nagra IV-S (a recording from this machine is key to the story)
• Blow Out (1981) — Nagra III and Nagra SN
• Gorillas in the Mist (1988) — Nagra III
• The Russia House (1990) — Nagra III
• Sneakers (1992) — Nagra III
• Voci notturne (ep. 2, 1995) — Nagra 4.2
• Spy Game (2001) — Nagra IV and Nagra SN
• The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) — Nagra 4.2

Images for kids

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  NAGRA TRVR with Time Code Reader Searcher