S
Stirling
New member
Whatis my first step in preserving some tapes of original material digitally which I would like to produce, add to, and improve later?
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M
MGS
Member
What type of recorder do you have to playback the tapes, what format (i.e. cassette, 1/4"reel, etc.), describe the PC hardware and software you use, then we can talk.
Mark
Mark
S
Stirling
New member
Preserving analog tapes digitally
Reply to Mark,
I have a Gateway Pentium III PC with the latest Windows 98 upgrade installed. No specific recording software yet. I want to make my software purchases accurately--help is appreciated. The tapes I have are casette and, oddly, VHS tape (it was the best choice when I was able to make copies from the 3 1/2 inch).
Where do I begin?
Reply to Mark,
I have a Gateway Pentium III PC with the latest Windows 98 upgrade installed. No specific recording software yet. I want to make my software purchases accurately--help is appreciated. The tapes I have are casette and, oddly, VHS tape (it was the best choice when I was able to make copies from the 3 1/2 inch).
Where do I begin?
M
MGS
Member
One last question: Is the material on cassette and VHS the stereo product of a mixdown or the initial recorded tracks from a session? Your PC should be able to support a number of software products that can do the work you want. How big is your hard drive? What kind of sound card do you have?
Mark
Mark
S
Stirling
New member
Mark,
The tapes are mixed and in stereo. I have left this PC empty so far because it is will be only for learning this recording, editing process, so here are the specs I have:
64 Mbt memory module
20 Gbt hard drive
Intel 733Mhz Pentium III processor with integrated sound graphics and modem.
Thanks for the dialog. I'm looking for your response.
Stirling
The tapes are mixed and in stereo. I have left this PC empty so far because it is will be only for learning this recording, editing process, so here are the specs I have:
64 Mbt memory module
20 Gbt hard drive
Intel 733Mhz Pentium III processor with integrated sound graphics and modem.
Thanks for the dialog. I'm looking for your response.
Stirling
M
MGS
Member
Stirling,
O.K., we're set. Your PC is more than capable of doing what you want. Although, you might consider upgrading your RAM at some point to 128 or better (not a pressing concern, though). Run a stereo line out from your recorder into the line-in on the back of your computer. I'm not sure what sound card you have but I'm sure you have one and it has a stereo line-in. The line-out on your recorder is probably either 1/4" format or phono plug and the line-in on your PC is likely 1/8" stereo single plug so you will probably need an adapter to make this connection (go to Radio Shack). Now you'll have to explore your soundcard's recording functions and figure out how it allows you to record from the line-in, displays levels, etc. Play the tapes on your recorder and simultaneously activate the record feature of your card through on-screen displays. Since your tapes are already mixed-down, you really don't need a high-end sound card to do this. I use Soundblaster Live for this and it works perfectly. If you have the same card I can really give you detailed instructions but you'll have to let me know. Otherwise, your existing card can probably do the job for you but you'll have to learn how to use it. It's good that you have a big hard drive because each minute of CD-quality recording on the PC requires approx. 10MB of storage space! Let me know how you make out.
Mark
O.K., we're set. Your PC is more than capable of doing what you want. Although, you might consider upgrading your RAM at some point to 128 or better (not a pressing concern, though). Run a stereo line out from your recorder into the line-in on the back of your computer. I'm not sure what sound card you have but I'm sure you have one and it has a stereo line-in. The line-out on your recorder is probably either 1/4" format or phono plug and the line-in on your PC is likely 1/8" stereo single plug so you will probably need an adapter to make this connection (go to Radio Shack). Now you'll have to explore your soundcard's recording functions and figure out how it allows you to record from the line-in, displays levels, etc. Play the tapes on your recorder and simultaneously activate the record feature of your card through on-screen displays. Since your tapes are already mixed-down, you really don't need a high-end sound card to do this. I use Soundblaster Live for this and it works perfectly. If you have the same card I can really give you detailed instructions but you'll have to let me know. Otherwise, your existing card can probably do the job for you but you'll have to learn how to use it. It's good that you have a big hard drive because each minute of CD-quality recording on the PC requires approx. 10MB of storage space! Let me know how you make out.
Mark
S
Stirling
New member
Thanks, Mark. I'll let you how this goes.
Stirling
Stirling