Archiving tape to digital

[fonosapiens]

Greetings. I have a stack of reel tape recordings of family/personal material that I wish to digitise. Ideally, this will involve setting levels once then recording the tapes. From what I understand, since the levels recorded on tape are fixed, there would be no advantage to monitoring the process and adjusting gain to boost weak signals from tape. I assume it is best to record at an optimum level and boost the weaker signals on playback. I am uncertain, however, how to set up the optimum level.

R2R is Revox A77
MOTU 8pre interface
Cubase Studio software

The A77 line outs are not at a fixed level but are determined by volume control and balance. 8pre channels have gain control and -20 dB pad switch. Then Cubase has input faders. Any suggestions how to get good results without too much fuss? (After all, these are not long lost Beatles or Dylan recordings. )

Thanks in advance for help.

 

[TimOBrien]

Everybody wants a 'push one button' solution, but the only answer is to USE YOUR EARS.

You're going to have to set up the transfers and make some tests, then massage the files afterwards.

There are no shortcuts if you want it done RIGHT.

 

[Massive Master]

If you're looking for a safe starting point, find out if there are calibration tones on any of the tapes and just set the 0dBVU output on the deck to around 0dBVU on your interface. A steady tone should come in at around -15dBFS on your Motu if I recall - I also think that's too freaking hot and would go to around -18dBFS (which is more typical and "more safe").

If there are no calibration tones, find a blank chunk of tape and make one. Still won't help fine-tuning, but it'll get you somewhere in the neighborhood.

But then - Use your ears.

 

[mixsit]

And don't forget- in digital it 'doesn't exist' (read: can go away in a heart beat.. until it's in two or three different places.