Time to copy recording (4)
I believe the answer is:
tape
'recording' is the definition.
(I know that tape is a type of recording)
'time to copy' is the wordplay.
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'to copy' becomes 'ape' (ape can mean to copy or imitate).
't'+'ape'='TAPE'
(Other definitions for tape that I've seen before include "Breast this first to win a race" , "Sticky strip" , "Bind" , "This is often stretched across the finishing line of race" , "Strip, magnetic, video, etc." .)