Comparison
Reel vs TP-7
Teenage Engineering's motorized field recorder with a scrub-able reel.
Visit the TP-7 site ↗The short answer
Reel and the TP-7 chase the same tape feel from opposite ends. The TP-7 is Teenage Engineering's $1,499 field recorder and it is a beautiful thing: a machined body, a real motorized wheel you spin to scrub, 24-bit/96kHz capture. It takes up to six inputs across its three stereo jacks, so it can record several sources at once and it sits at the center of the Field system with the TX-6 and OP-1 Field. Reel puts that same tape feel on a screen instead. You get jog-wheel scrubbing in software, 4-track overdubbing and 32-bit float recording, for the price of an app. The TP-7 is the object you want on your desk. Reel is how you get the workflow on the iPhone already in your pocket.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Reel | TP-7 |
|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous tracks | 4 (stereo, 8 ch) | 6 in (3 stereo) |
| Bit depth | 32-bit float | 24-bit |
| Max sample rate | 96kHz | 96kHz |
| Overdub | ||
| Punch-in recording | ||
| Looping | ||
| Variable-speed playback | ||
| Tactile transport (jog wheel or scrub) | ||
| Built-in microphones | iPhone mic | |
| XLR inputs with phantom power | ||
| Records from a USB audio interface | ||
| Works as a USB audio interface | ||
| Runs standalone, no phone or computer | ||
| Price | $14.99 one-time | $1,499 |
| Platform | iOS 18+ | Standalone device |
Every value is researched per product against manufacturer sources and may change over time. Verify current details with each maker.
Where Reel wins
- +32-bit float recording, versus the TP-7's 24-bit
- +4-track tape-style overdubbing, layering a song part by part
- +Jog-wheel scrubbing recreated in software, with no hardware to buy
- +Runs on the iPhone you already own, for a fraction of $1,499
Where TP-7 wins
- +A machined body with a real motorized tape wheel, the tactile original Reel emulates
- +Up to six inputs across three stereo jacks for capturing several live sources at once
- +Anchors the Teenage Engineering Field system with the TX-6, OP-1 Field and CM-15
- +Standalone device with 128GB storage, quality preamps and Bluetooth plus USB audio
Frequently asked questions
Does the TP-7 do multitrack recording?
Yes. The TP-7 has three stereo input jacks, so it can record up to six inputs at once and it pairs with the TX-6 mixer to record more. Reel takes a different approach with 4-track tape-style overdubbing, where you layer new parts over what you already recorded.
Is Reel a TP-7 alternative?
Reel brings the TP-7's jog-wheel scrubbing and tape-style transport to the iPhone and records in 32-bit float. It is not a replacement for the TP-7's premium hardware and motorized wheel, but it delivers a similar tape-inspired workflow for the price of an app.
Try Reel on your iPhone
A portable 4-track recorder with 32-bit float audio and a hardware-inspired workflow.
Download on the App Store