Recording -- first to take copy (4)
I believe the answer is:
tape
'recording' is the definition.
(tape is a kind of recording)
'first to take copy' is the wordplay.
'first to' suggests taking the first letters.
'copy' becomes 'ape' ('ape' can be a synonym of 'copy').
The first letter of 'take' is 't'.
't'+'ape'='TAPE'
(Other definitions for tape that I've seen before include "that race winner may break" , "Ribbon" , "Record - broken by the winner" , "Binder" , "Video recording" .)