Rex says
Everyday utility math — the kind you'd otherwise pull up four browser tabs for. I keep it to one clean answer.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Recordable minutes
3,884
Recordable hours
64.7
Approx. 4-minute songs (all tracks)
971
Data rate (bytes/sec)
2,304,000
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How to use this
- 1Enter available storage (GB).
- 2Enter simultaneous tracks recording.
- 3Enter sample rate (Hz).
- 4Enter bit depth.
- 5Read your recordable minutes on the right — it updates as you type.
- 6Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
Whether you're working with limited SSD space or budgeting studio time by the hour, knowing how many minutes of multitrack recording actually fit is the same math problem. This calculator takes available storage and your session's track count, sample rate, and bit depth to compute total recordable minutes, which is the modern equivalent of calculating how much tape a reel-to-reel session had left.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Available storage: 500 GB
- Simultaneous tracks recording: 16
- Sample rate: 48000 Hz
- Bit depth: 24
Results
- Recordable minutes: 3,884
- Recordable hours: 64.7
- Approx. 4-minute songs (all tracks): 971
- Data rate (bytes/sec): 2,304,000
What each field means
Inputs
- Available storage (GB)
- The available storage used in the calculation, measured in GB. Starts at 500 GB so you have a working example on load.
- Simultaneous tracks recording
- The simultaneous tracks recording used in the calculation. Starts at 16 so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 1–256.
- Sample rate (Hz)
- The sample rate used in the calculation, measured in Hz. Starts at 48000 Hz so you have a working example on load.
- Bit depth
- The bit depth used in the calculation. Starts at 24 so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 8–32.
Results
- Recordable minutes
- Returned as a whole number and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Recordable hours
- Returned as a decimal number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Approx. 4-minute songs (all tracks)
- Returned as a whole number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Data rate (bytes/sec)
- Returned as a whole number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
Does this account for comping multiple takes?
No — this calculates raw continuous recording time for the track count entered. Comping several takes of the same part (common for vocals) effectively multiplies the storage need for that instrument, so add extra headroom, often 20-50%, if you expect multiple takes per part.
How much storage should a full album session budget for?
A 10-song album with 24 tracks per song at 24-bit/48kHz, including a few extra takes per song, commonly needs 15-30 GB of raw audio once you include comps, rough mixes, and bounces — 500 GB gives enormous headroom for a single album but fills up fast across a busy studio's multiple projects.
Why did old tape-based studios have to think about this differently?
Analog tape had a fixed physical length giving a hard runtime limit per reel (commonly 15-33 minutes at standard speeds for a 2-inch reel), forcing decisions about takes and edits in real time. Digital storage removed that hard ceiling but replaced it with the same underlying math of data rate versus available capacity.
Accuracy and limitations
- Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.
- Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.
- Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote.
Related tools
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). Recording Session Runtime Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/tape-session-runtime
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/tape-session-runtime" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Recording Session Runtime Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Recording Session Runtime Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/tape-session-runtime) (2026).