Transferring Cassettes to PC

For anything relating to music-making on Windows computers, with lots of FAQs. Moderated by Martin Walker.

Moderator: Moderators

Re: Transferring Cassettes to PC

Post by Folderol »

In the past, I've gone a far as setting the azimuth for best results for each track when I've suspected that they weren't all recorded at the same time, or even on the same machine!

Not something I ever want to do again!
User avatar
Folderol
Jedi Poster
Posts: 18066 Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 12:00 am Location: The Mudway Towns, UK
Yes. I am that Linux nut {apparently now an 'elderly'}
Onwards and... err... sideways!

Re: Transferring Cassettes to PC

Post by Tim Gillett »

It gets worse. Different azimuths, different tape speeds, different track formats, different NRs, all on the one tape! It underlines the limitations of mass, automated, or even just unattended tape digitization practices. But try and convince some managers of that...
Tim Gillett
Frequent Poster (Level2)
Posts: 2625 Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2013 12:00 am Location: Perth, Western Australia

Re: Transferring Cassettes to PC

Post by RichardT »

Making sure the deck is working properly is far more important than the bit depth! That said, I agree that 24 bits is the best option for recording the transfer.
RichardT
Jedi Poster
Posts: 4076 Joined: Fri Aug 13, 2004 12:00 am Location: Ireland

Re: Transferring Cassettes to PC

Post by Tim Gillett »

RichardT wrote: Sun Sep 26, 2021 11:27 pm Making sure the deck is working properly is far more important than the bit depth! ...

Indeed it is, not least because it is a large part of ensuring no damage either mechanical or magnetic is inflicted on the tape. For well preserved 50 year old tapes, their most dangerous time is likely when simply being played. But how do we achieve that in practice? Quality tape machines are likely to be decades old with few spare parts available (eg: the crucially important tape head) and even fewer skilled personnel to service them. How can the average person even test the machine's condition on all the relevant criteria? Specialised tools are also needed. This is another area where 'standards' are difficult in practice to achieve. So much easier to simply insist on the 'standard' of a 24 bit record depth. It looks impressive on paper.
Tim Gillett
Frequent Poster (Level2)
Posts: 2625 Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2013 12:00 am Location: Perth, Western Australia

Re: Transferring Cassettes to PC

Post by Hugh Robjohns »

Hmmm.... I think what you're trying to say is that the chosen 16/24 bit word-length doesn't determine the quality of the cassette transfer source, and that the mechanical condition and electrical alignment of the cassette replay machine are critical in extracting the maximum audio information (ie. sound quality) from the tape.

This is all true... although wandering into the realms of professional audio restoration rather than meeting the needs of someone with a casual amateur interest in transferring some vintage personal cassette recordings.
User avatar
Hugh Robjohns
Moderator
Posts: 38836 Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2003 12:00 am Location: Worcestershire, UK
Technical Editor, Sound On Sound...
(But generally posting my own personal views and not necessarily those of SOS, the company or the magazine!)
In my world, things get less strange when I read the manual... 

Re: Transferring Cassettes to PC

Post by Tim Gillett »

Yes and amateur or pro, the result can only be as good as the playback allows.
Tim Gillett
Frequent Poster (Level2)
Posts: 2625 Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2013 12:00 am Location: Perth, Western Australia

Re: Transferring Cassettes to PC

Post by Tomás Mulcahy »

I wrote a blog post on cassette transfer specifically for the casual amateur. In the hope that kerb has not been scared off/ bored by this debate :lol:
User avatar
Tomás Mulcahy
Frequent Poster (Level2)
Posts: 2552 Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2001 12:00 am Location: Cork, Ireland.
Post Reply