Re: [ARSCLIST] Some DAT questions

["Mew, Peter" <Peter.Mew@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Tom
You will need a Sony SDT9000 tape drive 
A SCSI card or SCSI to USB convertor 
Both can be found on eBay

Also you will need a firmware update for the DAT drive
A necessary firmware update can be found with a bit of Google searching

And a DAT ripping program
I have a MAC program caled DATXtract version 1.3 also can be found on
the Web (and its free)
It will rip at 2.4 X and seems to work very reliably
Cheers

-pm

-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
[mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Tom Fine
Sent: Sun 18 Jan 2009 13:05
To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ARSCLIST] Some DAT questions

Hello All:

I'd like to tap the collective brain (picture a non-invasive tap, like a
Vulcan mind-meld) about DATs, with eyes to a medium-sized (several
hundred DAT tapes, all dating from the 1990's) transfer project. Answers
gleaned from personal experience most appreciated.

1. does anyone on-list have experience with "ripping" audio DATs
directly to hard drive via a DAT data-tape drive? If so, what OS,
software and results are you getting? Is there a favored source for the
appropriate drive?

2. one key reason I was thinking for doing these DATs digital-to-digital
would be the real-time monitoring, so I could note the locations of any
dropouts or glitches. Assuming I'll find some, are there any hidden
tricks or tips to fixing them or is that audio lost on a damaged segment
of tape?

3. if done digital-to-computer, I'm assuming SPDIF, but does anyone have
personal experience indicating either coax or optical is preferable? I
was thinking optical, given the sometimes strange grounding issues of a
computer.

4. is there anything to be gained by running a simultaneous
analog-to-computer? I'm thinking, no, but I'm also thinking, I sure
don't have all the answers so there may be something unknown to me here.

5. once a DAT has been transfered, what is the proper storage method? I
was thinking, don't rewind it and make sure to store it in its
protective case. I was also thinking, if there is a label-sticker sheet
in the box, take it out since the glue sometimes gets gooey or oily over
time.

6. finally, are there any DAT brands/types with known sticky-shed
problems? Most of these DATs are BASF, but some are Ampex branded. I am
not at all sure that Ampex manufactured its own DATs, they may have
resold Japanese tape.

Thanks in advance for any tips/advice gleaned from personal experiences.

-- Tom Fine

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