Before streaming, before CDs, before MP3s, there was the humble cassette—a pocket-sized revolution that let us craft our own soundtracks. From the 70s to the 90s, mixtapes were more than just compilations; they were love letters, party invitations, and sonic time capsules, all wrapped up in a spool of magnetic tape. Whether you were crafting the perfect driving playlist, declaring your undying love through song choices, or just trying to capture the Top 40 without a DJ talking over the intro, mixtapes were a rite of passage for music lovers.

Rewinding to the Beginning

Cassette tapes first emerged in the early 60s, but it wasn’t until the 70s and 80s that they really became household essentials. Originally marketed for dictation and voice recording, they found their true calling when music fans realised, they could copy, share, and create their own compilations. Unlike records, cassettes were portable, durable, and easy to store—perfect for the growing Walkman and car stereo culture.

Manufacturers like TDK, BASF, Maxell, Sony, and Memorex dominated the UK market, each offering different grades of cassette. Ferric tapes (Type I) were cheap and cheerful, but for better sound quality, you’d want chrome (Type II) or metal (Type IV)—if your deck could handle them. Maxell’s XLII and TDK’s SA90 became the gold standard for mixtape makers, offering the right balance of affordability and sound clarity. The 90-minute format (45 minutes per side) was ideal, long enough to fit an album or a solid mix, but short enough to feel carefully curated.

DIY DJ Culture

Long before algorithms created playlists for us, we did it ourselves, agonising over the perfect order of songs, rewinding and rerecording until every transition felt just right. Recording from vinyl, radio, or another cassette was a delicate process—especially if you were trying to avoid clunky gaps or DJs talking over the intro of your favourite track. There was a real skill in pressing “record” at the exact right moment to get a clean start.

Some mixtapes had a theme—maybe “Songs to Cry To” or “Driving Anthems”—while others were a total free-for-all. And then there were the romantic mixtapes, crafted with the hope that each song would send the right message. If someone made you a tape, you knew it meant something. The handwritten track list was just as important as the music—would they doodle in the margins? Use neat capital letters or rushed, messy handwriting? These little details made each tape personal, like a piece of handmade musical art.

The Cost of Musical Freedom

Building your perfect mixtape collection wasn’t exactly free, but it was far cheaper than buying albums. Cassettes were a budget-friendly alternative to vinyl, and blank tapes were an affordable way to expand your collection. In the early 80s, a good quality TDK SA90 or Maxell XLII tape might set you back £2-£4, depending on the shop and the tape grade. For comparison, a new vinyl album cost around £5-£7, so mixtapes were a great way to get more music for your money.

Of course, to record, you needed the right gear. In the early days, a decent hi-fi system with a dual cassette deck could cost anywhere from £100 to £200, making it a big investment for music fans. Boomboxes, a must-have for teenagers in the 80s, varied wildly in price—basic models started around £30-£50, while high-end brands like Sony and JVC could go for over £150. And then there was the Walkman revolution. Sony’s first Walkman, released in the UK in 1980, originally cost around £100—a hefty price, but the ability to take your mixtapes everywhere made it worth every penny.

Fast Forward to Nostalgia

By the late 90s, CDs and digital formats had begun pushing cassettes aside, and by the early 2000s, mixtapes became more of a relic than a routine. But for those who grew up with them, the magic never truly faded. Making a Spotify playlist might be more convenient, but nothing will ever replace the feeling of pressing “record,” carefully writing out your track list, and handing someone a tape, hoping they’d appreciate every carefully chosen song.

Cassettes may be long past their golden age, but they remain a symbol of a time when music was something you physically held, shared, and cherished. Do you remember making your own mixtapes? Tell us your favourite mixtape memories via our contact form! 🎧✨