Why are 8 track tapes called 8 tracks when they only have 4 tracks??

Question

Why are 8 track tapes called 8 tracks when they only have 4 tracks??

Answer 1

No they had 8, Four "sides" yes but one track for each channel IE. speaker left and right. Get out your old Ozzy Osbourne "Crazy Train" 8-track go sit in your pick up and crank the beginning. Awesome isn't it, 70s technology at its best, well until Atari came along.

Answer 2

8 Track Tapes

Answer 3

No. I have a working 8-track in my 76 Camero. They are about 4 times larger than cassettes. They can play more than 8 songs. The term 8-track refers to 4 separate stereo(2) channels/tracts on the same lenght of tape as opposed to cassettes which have 1 stereo channels/tracks which make the 8-track tape 4 times wider. You can change the channel (1 thru 4) any time giving you instant access to other parts of the tape.

Answer 4

it's called STEREO! 8 track catridge tape has 4 program bands each consisting of 2 tracks one for the left channel and one for the right channel, hence 8 tracks total



do not confuse them with professional recording equipment, where multi track recorders may have as few as 4 tracks or as many as 48, and even more in the digital domain.



8 track cartridges do not have a B side, you cannot turn them over to play the other side as i see one poster has suggested.

Answer 5

Because they have 4 tracks on one side and 4 tracks when you turn the tape over.

Answer 6

Eight Tracks

Answer 7

each 1 has a top and bottom track on it therefor they have 8 tracks (i think it is a left and right channel)

Answer 8

Because there are 4 stereo tracks, each track of stereo sound needs one track for each speaker.

Answer 9

That is a very good question Im gunna look into that. I know there recorded in analog though

Answer 10

who knows!