Re: [ARSCLIST] Mass Digitization / Easing yourself into the thought...

["Richard L. Hess" <arclists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 03:43 PM 2007-05-18, Andes, Donald wrote:

> (4) 1/4" machines feeding a single 8 channel converter. Each deck plays
> and is recorded simultaneously, as a engineer monitors them all
> intermittently (post) converters, via a switching matrix. Visual
> metering, as well as on screen waveforms, of all channels simultaneously
> keeps the engineer aware of major problems like channel drop outs,
> clipping.

I have four Sony APR-5000 machines (but don't have four of each of 
the common head blocks--I do have more than four NAB two-track). I 
also have four Nakamichi Dragons. Three of the four APRs live in the 
studio full-time, the fourth can be brought in and will shortly have 
a dedicated docking station (that can also be an A810). In addition, 
there are two A80s.

HOWEVER, I monitor the four programs simultaneously, one out of each 
corner of the 5.1 surround system (I don't use the centre speaker). I 
can solo any individual program in stereo or go back to the mix of 
all four in mono. This lets me immediately hear a problem or 
something questionable.

> Q: Is this the same as 1 pair of ears completely dedicated to 2 channels
> of audio? Nope, but when transferring lectures, spoken word, or other
> oral history stuff, is it vital to monitor the entire program unless
> your collecting metadata on the actual content?

No, but a second pair of ears is always good on these transfers and 
in my business model, the client gets a check disc of the raw 
transfer prior to any mastering work that I do. I also spot check 
files when I do this.

For a current project that has both reels and cassettes (not sure the 
path of some of them), I'm intending to do the matched cassette/reel 
transfers simultaneously, for 8 machines rolling together.

> Q: Does the loss of monitoring a program completely justify the offset
> of increased speed and cost saving? I'd say usually (but of course not
> always). Rememeber files could be auditioned in a non-linear way once
> they are transferred.

I think this is one of the only ways things will get done.

Cheers,

Richard

> Switch out the (4) 1/4" decks for DAT/Cass/etc. for added fun.

Different topology needed when you go to digi due to clocking, etc., 
but conceptually, yes.

Cheers,

Richard

Richard L. Hess                   email: richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Aurora, Ontario, Canada       (905) 713 6733     1-877-TAPE-FIX
Detailed contact information: http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm
Quality tape transfers -- even from hard-to-play tapes.