henkejs
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How to Convert Old Audio Tape?
While cleaning out a closet the other day, I came across a couple of reels of audio tape my old band recorded over 20 years ago. We did some demos in a guy's basement project studio, and he gave us the masters on 1/4 inch, 1/2 track tape. If the tapes are still playable, I'd like to get decent quality digital transcriptions done. Does anybody know where to go for a service like this? I don't want to put a lot of money into this project, but it would be fun to hear these performances again.
A few of my songs SONAR Platinum, Cakewalk by BandLab, Windows 10, Focusrite Scarlett 6i6.
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AT
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Re:How to Convert Old Audio Tape?
2010/01/20 12:01:14
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I don't know where Port Townsend is in WA, but there should be any number of close studios w/ 1/4" 1/2 track analog desks. You just need to call around. TV/Radio stations are another option - if you speak to an engineer they could definately tell you where they get their's done if not in-house.
The tapes (if they are ampeg - recommended by the pros in the 80/90s, they will most likely need to be baked or they'll shed - something you and the operator want to avoid). Call several places for quotes - somebody may want to pick up a few bucks and be cheaper than the main tape house. Also, find out if there is an alinment tape tone and what kind of deck your tape(s) was done on. A competent engineer would want to know. You'll appear more competent yourself by trying to do this work first and save some studio time.
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henkejs
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Re:How to Convert Old Audio Tape?
2010/01/20 12:15:43
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Thanks for the suggestions. No TV or radio stations in this town, but there are a couple of small studios I can check out. That's a good place to start.
A few of my songs SONAR Platinum, Cakewalk by BandLab, Windows 10, Focusrite Scarlett 6i6.
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Spaceduck
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Re:How to Convert Old Audio Tape?
2010/01/20 13:33:20
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Is there any way you can contact the original studio that mixed it down? I recently got my hands on my old band's 24 track sessions from the early 90s, and I went back to the same studio to have it converted to digital. Not only did I find the same engineer, but they still had the same machine (stashed away in storage), he remembered all the settings from the sessions and gave me a flawless digital transfer. Maybe you'll get lucky & get the same service.
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Guitarhacker
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Re:How to Convert Old Audio Tape?
2010/01/20 14:01:34
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Man...that sounds like fun.... I had all mine coped to cassette so i have it in that form as well as still having the master reels...
check the internet too...google.
My website & music: www.herbhartley.com MC4/5/6/X1e.c, on a Custom DAW Focusrite Firewire Saffire Interface BMI/NSAI "Just as the blade chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer "
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timidi
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Re:How to Convert Old Audio Tape?
2010/01/20 14:35:09
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I can digitize em for you if you want.
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ohhey
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Re:How to Convert Old Audio Tape?
2010/01/20 14:53:21
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henkejs
While cleaning out a closet the other day, I came across a couple of reels of audio tape my old band recorded over 20 years ago. We did some demos in a guy's basement project studio, and he gave us the masters on 1/4 inch, 1/2 track tape. If the tapes are still playable, I'd like to get decent quality digital transcriptions done. Does anybody know where to go for a service like this? I don't want to put a lot of money into this project, but it would be fun to hear these performances again.
Do you know what brand and model recorder was used on each tape ? You should be able to find a studio to do the work for you and that would be best because they will have good converters and know how to treat the tapes. But you could buy machines off e-bay and do it your self. It's best if you know what machine was used.
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timidi
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Re:How to Convert Old Audio Tape?
2010/01/20 16:37:39
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what machine was used is irrelevant.
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Jeff Evans
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Re:How to Convert Old Audio Tape?
2010/01/21 16:40:59
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Your probably not going to know what machine the recorder was. It is only relevant in terms of what record EQ was used. eg NAB or CCIR etc.
There are institutions that are into archiving old recordings. These places will have the facilities for baking the tape/s if they require it and the older they are the more the need for baking will be. They will be able to do the transfer for you as well.
I can do it for you as well but you would have to send the tape to Australia which may be unnecessary. I have built the special oven for doing the tape baking and also I have a Revox B77 (1/2 track model) which has been fully restored to new for the playback as well.
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henkejs
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Re:How to Convert Old Audio Tape?
2010/01/22 10:57:38
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Thanks for the replies, everybody. I was thinking I'd have to send the tapes to some audio restoration service somewhere, but I turned up a nearby studio that should be able to help me out.
A few of my songs SONAR Platinum, Cakewalk by BandLab, Windows 10, Focusrite Scarlett 6i6.
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NW Smith
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Re:How to Convert Old Audio Tape?
2010/01/23 12:18:14
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Henkejs, If that studio doesn't work out, I often see this add on the local craiglist musician's section: http://seattle.craigslist...ee/muc/1566649766.html Of course, with Craigslist you never know what you'll get - but it might be worth checking out if the other place doesn't work for you.
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Goldtop56
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Re:How to Convert Old Audio Tape?
2010/02/01 01:37:02
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Do the boxes have the speed on them? I have 71/2,15, and 30s in my closet. The first two are more common than the 30.
All were in worst shape than I imagined when I got ready for a digital transfer, but it worked out with a lot of head cleaning on the 1/2 track.
(Want to buy an old dusty Ampex 440B? Just kidding, I have emotional attachments to all my old friends.)
Thanks.
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ohhey
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Re:How to Convert Old Audio Tape?
2010/02/01 10:41:41
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Goldtop56
Do the boxes have the speed on them? I have 71/2,15, and 30s in my closet. The first two are more common than the 30.
All were in worst shape than I imagined when I got ready for a digital transfer, but it worked out with a lot of head cleaning on the 1/2 track.
(Want to buy an old dusty Ampex 440B? Just kidding, I have emotional attachments to all my old friends.)
Thanks.
I know what you mean about head cleaning, I had a tape from 1981 I had transferred to ADAT back in the 90s and it was shedding so bad the poor guy had to clean the machine between songs. Even then it got so bad the tape would bog down by the end of the song. Years later I had to use autotune to fix the pitch at the end of the tracks on one song. It was a mess. I wish I had known how to bake the thing. Ampex Grand Master strikes again.
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Goldtop56
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Re:How to Convert Old Audio Tape?
2010/02/01 23:43:39
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I should mention that all tape, analog or digital, has a shelf life of less than ten years. Anything you are sitting on should be converted ASAP. I learned that the hard way.
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