Input from DAT?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Alexbt
  • Start date Start date
Alexbt

Alexbt

New member
Hello,

One of my bandmates did a solo gig today, and the soundperson recorded the show for him for some reason. After the show I get handed a DAT tape to transfer and 'master' it. (Goodness knows I'm the last person to know anything about mastering, but I can improve it a bit)

Problem is, I don't have a DAT deck! I think my college may lend them, but I don't know what I should be looking for!

So, my question to you is--how should I transfer this?
Do some DATs transfer over say USB or something, or would only have optical or coaxial out?

My Delta does have a SPDIF coax in.


Any suggestions would be appreciated.

-Alex
 
I don't think I can even think of a DAT machine without a S/PDIF I/O... :D
 
Massive Master said:
I don't think I can even think of a DAT machine without a S/PDIF I/O... :D
Click to expand...
...Didn't want to be too too sure so, I tread lightly. ;)
 
Well, now that you mention it, some of those old portable models might not have one... Maybe... :o
 
Apparently my college's AV dept. doesn't have any. (I know I've seen some on campus before, maybe they weren't theirs.)

Does anyone have any idea where I could borrow/rent/use a DAT player so I could transfer this stuff?
 
Where are you?

Any decent music stores with some used gear?
 
I'm in Rhode Island.

Music stores in this area mostly consist of Guitar Center. That and like, small business type shops that don't carry much.
 
Just a bump in case John or anyone else missed it.
I haven't done too much searching, but the only DATs I've been able to find in catalogs are VERY expensive (and I can't understand why).
 
Alexbt said:
Just a bump in case John or anyone else missed it.
I haven't done too much searching, but the only DATs I've been able to find in catalogs are VERY expensive (and I can't understand why).
Click to expand...
DAT was a pro format so it was never made in enough numbers to get the price down. You would be best off calling studios in the area to see if they have one that they can dust off. You'll have to pay for the transfer to CD, but it will be cheaper than buying a DAT machine for this one thing.
 
I actually meant to hit up a few stores to see if they'd let you rent or borrow a machine for the day. A lot of larger stores are starting to get in the "trade-in" DAT machines and may have a few used units lying around.
 
I had thought that DAT was the modern standard practice to record final mixes or masters on. Our first album, for example, was mixed onto DAT and then transferred to CD.

It is still possible I can make use of the cabinet rackmounted DAT player in the rehearsal room of the music department. I probably just wouldn't be able to get to the digital connections, as I doubt any of the professors can get into the back portion of it.
 
DATs have gone the way of the Dinosaur. I have two of them, I haven't had a reason to turn them on in 4 years.
 
Alexbt said:
...It is still possible I can make use of the cabinet rackmounted DAT player in the rehearsal room of the music department. I probably just wouldn't be able to get to the digital connections, as I doubt any of the professors can get into the back portion of it.
Click to expand...
That seems odd. Is it permanently wired just for playback or something? Can't even get an analog patch point?
I bet you could find some local guy that has one and could transfer it. I'd about volunteer but four thousand miles round trip to do a dat dupe? :p
Really though, is it just a 40 min set or somthing?
Wayne
 
It is wired for analog recording and playback. There is no patch point, except maybe a headphone out on the front, which I'm 90% sure there is.
It's one of those systems that's setup slightly idiot proof (which it isn't).
There are switches to select your playback source and your recording source.
There are two hardwired ceiling condensers and 4 female XLR (for in?) coming from the box.

The set is around 40 minutes, maybe a tad longer, and there's a chance that the opening act is on there as well. Not all of the material came out good (it was like a rehearsal, as there were last minute changes and musicians), but there were a few good tracks. It would just be nice to get it transferred.

I wouldn't be opposed to mailing out the tape and some blank media to get it transferred.
 
Last edited:
Just find a studio that has been around for more than 5 years, they will have one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top