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Tips for ripping old cassette tapes and getting the best possible recording out of them? |
old skool junglist
Member
Posts: 46
Joined: 04.05.06 |
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I'm about to rip a load of old pirate radio tapes onto my computer which are about 10-13 years old and want to get the best possible sound quality.
From recording vinyl, I know that it's best to turn the input level as high as you can and then turn the recording volume down as low as possible in order to cut all the background noise you get from the computer/wiring/electronics itself.
...but what about the actual tape itself? Anything I can do to the tape/tape player to improve the quality? I've ripped some tapes before and they have sounded ok but, now i've got a different tape player, it's all dull. People have told me to "demagnetise my tape heads" but I have no idea what that means. I'm guessing that there are some things I could do to my old player to improve it but I don't know where to start...
What about taking the tape apart? I've done that with a few and carefully cleaned out dust but have not touched the actual tape itself. Anything I can do to the insides to help get a cleaner recording?
Can anyone post any tips at all for getting the best recording? |
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RE: Tips for ripping old cassette tapes and getting the best possible recording out of them? |
star
Member
Posts: 12
Joined: 05.05.06 |
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you should invest in a tape cleaner, like a vcr cleaner tape....just play the tape thru...dunno if these are still available but prolly at a higher end stereo/music store...or online? this will help....i'm not a techie though so the rest is ? to me-good luck  |
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RE: Tips for ripping old cassette tapes and getting the best possible recording out of them? |
hook
Super Administrator
Posts: 252
Joined: 27.01.06 |
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you could use a head cleaning cassette...
i've been ripping tapes and vinyl too and thought about some similar things. i decided that the quality from old tapes is limited anyway, so i use a program (a cheap one - Magix tape cleaner) that lets you clean out noise, fill the range, brighten it up, etc... it's easy to crop and EQ as well. in fact, you can just run it thru a wizard that does a decent job (really bad recordings demand a "hand" cleaning though). you can even remove individual pops if you want - it works too. |
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RE: Tips for ripping old cassette tapes and getting the best possible recording out of them? |
old skool junglist
Member
Posts: 46
Joined: 04.05.06 |
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Nice one. I'll look for a head cleaning tape then.
In terms of noise removal and stuff, yeah, i've got that covered.  |
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RE: Tips for ripping old cassette tapes and getting the best possible recording out of them? |
The Hermit
Administrator
Posts: 570
Location: Wales, Wi
Joined: 28.01.06 |
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hook wrote:
i use a program (a cheap one - Magix tape cleaner) that lets you clean out noise, fill the range, brighten it up, etc...
any idea of a freeware program comparable to this??? I'm a cheap mofo.....
Or is there some way to do it in Wavelab or Cubase.......
Bitter Old-School Raver/Acid Child
http://www.myspace.com/hiddenhermit
Edited by The Hermit on 07/07/2006 |
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RE: Tips for ripping old cassette tapes and getting the best possible recording out of them? |
hook
Super Administrator
Posts: 252
Joined: 27.01.06 |
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The Hermit wrote:
hook wrote:
i use a program (a cheap one - Magix tape cleaner) that lets you clean out noise, fill the range, brighten it up, etc...
any idea of a freeware program comparable to this??? I'm a cheap mofo.....
Or is there some way to do it in Wavelab or Cubase.......
i'm sure if you know how to use it to its potential Cubase is the way to go... the Magix program is probably 1/50th the quality but ten times more simple. i think "Audacity" is a freeware program out there - anyone? |
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RE: Tips for ripping old cassette tapes and getting the best possible recording out of them? |
The Hermit
Administrator
Posts: 570
Location: Wales, Wi
Joined: 28.01.06 |
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Thanks!
Bitter Old-School Raver/Acid Child
http://www.myspace.com/hiddenhermit |
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RE: Tips for ripping old cassette tapes and getting the best possible recording out of them? |
Die Verse Soul
Member
Posts: 240
Location: Near Philly
Joined: 05.05.06 |
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Sound Forge always did the deed for me. It's not free. But then again, it is. wink wink nudge nudge
http://www.myspace.com/mrjunglist
Soulseek User Name: Die Verse |
  
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RE: Tips for ripping old cassette tapes and getting the best possible recording out of them? |
mirage
Member
Posts: 510
Location: Chi
Joined: 29.05.06 |
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I used to have soundforge that I got from aol back in the *warez* days. That program was the beez neez. Could someone upload that? That would be uberly appreciated.
my aim = mirage
my email = [email protected]
my schlong = small
www.myspace.com/welldamnryan |
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RE: Tips for ripping old cassette tapes and getting the best possible recording out of them? |
Stream
Member
Posts: 335
Location: Latvia, Riga
Joined: 19.02.06 |
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Adobe Audition is good one! |
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