Memorex Tapes

Memorex Blank Cassette Tapes

Memorex was established in 1961 in Silicon Valley by Laurence L. Spitters and colleagues, initially selling computer magnetic tape to mainframe operators. The company entered the consumer cassette market in 1971 and launched one of the most memorable advertising campaigns in the history of recorded media: Ella Fitzgerald singing a note that shattered a wine glass — then repeating the demonstration from a Memorex tape. The tagline "Is it live, or is it Memorex?" became a cultural touchstone, embedding the Memorex name in the consciousness of a generation and making the question of analog fidelity part of popular conversation.

Through the 1970s and 1980s, Memorex offered a wide cassette range from basic ferric to premium high-bias formulations. The classic MRX series (MRX1, MRX2, MRX3) from the mid-1970s were among the first widely available consumer cassettes in the US market. Later, the dB and dBS lines became Memorex's bread-and-butter Type I tapes, with the colorful "clown" packaging design of the late 1980s–early 1990s making them instantly recognizable. Premium Type II lines included the HBS II and HB II. Memorex sourced production from various OEM manufacturers over the years — including SKC in South Korea and Saehan — with quality varying by vintage and model.

Key Memorex models in our collection: MRX I, MRX2, MRX3 (classic 1970s–1980s Type I); dB and dBS (iconic late-1980s–1990s Type I); HB II and HBS II (Type II high-bias); High Bias II (early 1980s Type II); and assorted Memorex Type IV metal cassettes. A compelling snapshot of American consumer tape culture from the brand that made magnetic fidelity a household conversation.

All tapes are new sealed NOS. Free US shipping on orders over $50.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'Is it live or is it Memorex?' advertisement?

The iconic Memorex campaign featured opera singer Ella Fitzgerald singing a note that shattered a wine glass — then repeating the demonstration from a Memorex cassette playback. The tagline 'Is it live, or is it Memorex?' became a cultural touchstone from the 1970s and 1980s, making the brand synonymous with audio fidelity in mainstream American consciousness.

When was Memorex founded?

Memorex was established in 1961 in Silicon Valley by Laurence L. Spitters and colleagues, initially producing computer magnetic tape for mainframe operators. The company entered the consumer cassette market in 1971 with the launch of the Ella Fitzgerald advertising campaign.

What are the best Memorex cassette tapes?

The classic MRX series (MRX1, MRX2, MRX3) from the mid-1970s were among the first widely available consumer cassettes in the US. Later, the MRX I (1985) and HBS II are the premium collector items. The dBS and dB series with the colorful 'clown' packaging are the most visually iconic Memorex tapes.

Who manufactured Memorex cassette tapes?

Memorex sourced production from various OEM manufacturers over the years, including SKC and Saehan in South Korea. The quality of the tape stock varied by vintage and model, with the Saehan-manufactured dBS tapes from the late 1980s being particularly well-regarded for their actual performance.

Are Memorex cassette tapes still made?

The Memorex brand still exists under Digital Products International (DPI), focused on consumer electronics accessories. However, no blank cassette tapes are produced under the Memorex name today. All vintage Memorex cassettes are NOS from original production runs.