Sony DAT: A Complete History of the Format

The Rise, Fall, and Legacy of Digital Audio Tape

Sony launched the Digital Audio Tape (DAT) in 1987, envisioning it as the successor to the aging compact cassette format. Featuring a compact design and superior digital sound quality, DAT initially seemed poised to revolutionize audio technology. Despite its technical merits and strong backing from Sony, it faced industry resistance and practical challenges that hindered widespread consumer adoption. However, it managed to carve out a significant niche within professional audio environments.

Throughout the 1980s, Sony played a central role in shifting audio from analog to digital. Their collaboration with Philips to launch the Compact Disc in 1982 showed that consumers were ready for digital formats. Building on this success, Sony aimed to revolutionize audio recording with a new cassette format that delivered CD-quality sound in a more compact size than traditional cassettes. However, this wasn't a quick success. It was the result of extensive experimentation and innovation that bega…