Prior to starting Encore Data Products I used to co-own a tape supply company in Burbank, CA. The company started out as a 3M distributor moving a lot of 3M 996 open reel tape. Soon after Ampex signed us up and then BASF. A decent-sized recording project would use 20-50 reels of 2"  tape and often more. Since tape is now about $225 per reel of 2" x 2500' I dug back to see what it cost about 10 years ago....somewhere in the neighborhood of $125 depending on which version you went with. While researching I found a studio price sheet for Mitch Easter's Drive-In Recording Studio from 1980.  Tape at that studio in 1980 was $110 per reel.  Costs have doubled but since demand has dropped considerably I guess $225 is not too bad for "that great analog sound".

Mitch Easter is one of those great musician/producer/engineer guys who fronted an excellent band Lets Active.

One of the best shows I've ever seen was at the late, great 688 club in Atlanta, GA that Let's Active headlined.  After not letting anyone in until very late due to sound check issues (if I remember correctly) we finally saw them go on about 1 in the morning.  Definitely worth the wait.

I have never met Mitch but he always seemed like the kind of person you would want to be in a band with.  He has a new CD out now you can order here.