Topic: USBPRE2 for mastering and archiving cassette master recordings...

[JoeRay]

I would appreciate any comments on what I am doing to archive my cassette master recordings...  I bought a USBPRE2 when it first came out to act as an interface between my Nakamichi DR-1 cassette player and my Mac Pro.  I have 1000's of master cassette recordings of concerts I recorded between 1968 and 1984 in various Cleveland Area venues.  Most were in the early years of taping infancy. Nevertheless, I always used the best available TDK or Maxell or Memorex tape with an AKG D1000E mic and a Sony recorder. I started off using a mono recorder till 1978 when I bought a Sony stereo recorder.   I also had tickets for most concerts infront of the speakers in the first few rows.  After completing about 100 concerts in the past several months, I am amazed at how well this  analog to digital converter works.  I transfer all my recordings to 32 bit float on my MAC PRO.  Then I master and mix the master recordings and save them at 24/192 or 24/96 and back them up.  If I feel I will need more mixing of the concert than simply cleaning it up, I keep the 32bit float file for future work.   Once I get my Cleveland Area Concerts finalized, I plan to donate them to the R n R Hall of Fame Archive Library for future generations to hear what bands sounded like in the Home of Rock and Roll (CLEVELAND)  during these magic years of 1960-1980.  Without the USBPRE2, I would not be making this good of progress.  I appreciate any other comments on archiving concerts... Peace, Joe Ray

[OOK]

I would post everything you can on the traders den so the music can get out to the people.....once it hits the RRHF yes it will be kept safe but....the likely hood of them releasing the recordings to the public the way you can on the traders den is about 0....

[rastasean]

Nice work! I also recommend putting it out to torrents so people can hear and spread the music.

Curious to know why you want to import at such high bandwidth?
Here is a recent post on cassette transfers: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=146509.0

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Curious to know why you want to import at such high bandwidth?
Here is a recent post on cassette transfers: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=146509.0

Agreed, the odds that you would be sacrificing something if you did 24/44.1 or even 16/44.1 are very very slim.

I would post everything you can on the traders den so the music can get out to the people.....once it hits the RRHF yes it will be kept safe but....the likely hood of them releasing the recordings to the public the way you can on the traders den is about 0....

I agree with this as well. I suspect RRHF will somewhat appreciate it as a historical document, but the odds that it ever sees the light of day in this possession is slim at best. Of 200 concert/tapes, they might take a 30sec snippet of a particularly interesting performance or event and add it to an existing exhibit, but they won't have the entire catalog (or even entire shows) up for grabs. That said, I'd still donate copies once everything is transfered and you've torrented what you were interested in torrenting.

[JEMS]

I recently got the Sound Devices USBpre2 to transfer cassettes in a nearly identical chain, only I'm using the Nakamichi CR-7A as my playback deck, and going into a MacBook Air. I have used several different audio devices/sound card over the years and the SD is hands down my favorite at a sub $1000 price point. First, it is totally versatile in terms of inputs and formats it supports. Second, unlike so many other devices I used, it DOES NOT rely on software-based controls to, say, switch from an RCA in to an XLR in to a Toslink digital in. The box has its own control buttons and further dip switches if you really need to modify something. My predecessor unit, which was a PreSonus Firebox had a very unreliable software "mixer" to switch sources and was so challenged in syncing clocks that if you plugged in coax digital signal, the owners manual actually explained how you needed to plug then unplug the cable at the right moment for it to sync. Needless to say I broke the very cheap cable I was supposed to be pulling on and off to do this. Maddening.

Monitoring on the Sound Devices is also a dream, with a simple knob to turn from pre to post in headphones (not to mention built in 1/4" and 1/8" jacks) and other swell features. And it requires no outside power at all. All USB powered. I've had issues with input devices picking up noise or having some loop issues when they were AC powered. This thing is stone cold silent. I love it.

So, anyway, good pick on the SD. I hope you are azimuth adjusting both sides of every master to correct for changes between the original deck and the Nak you are playing back on. That can do wonders. Also hope the older tapes are playing back without too many issues. There are options to bake if you have tapes that are squealing.

And I have to second the point about you putting some of the shows up on torrent sites. Both the Rock Hall and EMP are sitting on massive collections of audio from various sources (I know of a few specifically) and there appears to be no movement to make the material available. Publishing rights and other issues always seem to get in the way, even more museums, and even though the Cleveland angle is strong, I fear you'd donate (if they'd even take them) and we'd never hear them again.

[newplanet7]

Agreed on all counts above. 16/44.1 and post those recordings!!!!!!!
I have a friend who is transferring cassettes also presently but he is using an Apogee, I believe, into his MAC PRO.
He started ot doing 24/96 and went backwards to 16/44.1. He checked every step of the way and found no differences AFTER
editing them in higher resolution.

Might I ask for a name drop of something in the treasure trove that you're working on? Anything taper permitted? Grateful Dead or the like?

MOST IMPORTANTLY THANKS FOR ARCHIVING!!!!!!!!!

-todd

[JoeRay]

I just returned for a three day salmon and halibut fishing trip here in Alaska and when I returned I read the many comments to my original post and I wanted to reply.
First: I use 24bit of my masters as I have much more control in editing, mastering and mixing.  My recordings came from old sound systems using old technology and recording with old "quality "gear.  I want as much head room as possible with as much resolution as possible.  I am hopeful that when the technology improves, engineers may be able to clean up my recordings even better.  Perhaps someday we'll have software that can improve our recordings even better.  For now, I want as much data on the hard drive as possible.  Sure, 16/44.1 sounds good but I just don't want to make good sounding tapes, I want to archive with as much resolution and data as possible.  Second: I will allow my recordings to be uploaded on TD or Dime if I coud find someone to do them.  I am a trial attorney, musician and videographer.  I don't have time to upload these recordings at this time.  Any Volunteers?  The RRHF is a final destination before I join Jimi, Buddy and the ultimate jam session... Peace,  Joe Ray Skrha

[swordfish]

Do You Have a list with date/venue and bands you recorded....I am sure you will find volunteers to upload....I am a Tom Waits fan and he played Cleveland during that time frame...by chance do you have any TW recordings.

[JoeRay]

Hi Swordfish,
     I went through my own personal list of concerts I recorded and I recently found two Tom Waits recordings from 1975.  I'm sure you have the preFM recordings from the Agora in 1976 and 1977.  The recording I just found is a WMMS COFFEEBREAK CONCERT from the WMMS Studio in Cleveland.  I also have a interview that Tom did with Murry Saul (icon at WMMS and now 83 and kicking) in 1975 for Murry's weekly radio show called Jabberwocky Session.  They both are FM recordings from 1975 with good cassette recorders that have a little hiss from that era.   Are you interested?  I have since transferred from cassette to harddrive.  Can do at 24_96 or 16_44.1 at your choice.  Peace,  Joe Ray Skrha  at:  joeray@alaska.net   Also, here is the first 70+ master concerts I have cleaned up and transferred to harddrive.  If any interest you, let me know.  I specialize in Cleveland Area concerts, actually from Lake Erie south to Akron-Kent State University.  This includes the Blossom Music center, Richfield Coliseum, Akron, and all radio from that area (WMMS, WNCR, etc...)  I also have about 1000 concerts from Cleveland that I collected over the years.  The list I will now sent is the start of my own recordings that I made.  This is only 10% of my own recordings.   For now, keep this list to yourself.  I don't have time to trade till September since I have to put up my salmon and halibut for the winter first...

Alex Bevan 1979 Coffeebreak Christmas Concert_Agora WMMS_FM
Alex Bevan 1980 Coffeebreak Christmas Concert_Agora WMMS FM
Alex Bevan 1980.11.29 Old Stone Church_hudson, OH 24_96 AUD
Alex Bevan 1980.12.24 Agora  Coffeebreak Concert WMMS 24_96 FM
Alex Bevan 2008.12.28 Beachland AUD
Alex Bevan 2010.10.22 Beachland AUD
Alex Bevan 2010.12.17 The Winchester 24_96 SBD
Alvin Lee & TYA 1972.10.08 Public Hall AUD
Bruce Springsteen 1975.09.27 St. Louis, MO 24_96 AUD
BUZZY LINHART  1979.09.26 Bobby McGee's_WMMS preFM
Buzzy Linhart 1977.12.12 Pirates Cove 24_96 AUD
Buzzy Linhart's PRIVATE TAPE 24_96  STUDIO
Cat Stevens 1972.10.30 Music Hall 24_96 AUD
Crosby & Nash 1975.10.25 SIU, Ill 24_96 AUD
Crosby & Nash 1986.12.06 Front Row Theatre AUD
CSN 1982.08.16 Pine Knob, MI 24_96 AUD
CSN 2010.09.14 Time-Warner Amph. 24_96  AUD
Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women 2009.07.08 Beachland 24_48 SBD
Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women 2010.09.08 Beachland 24_96 SBD
David Bowie 1973.11.07 Public Hall AUD
Edgewater Rock Festival  1971.07.07  WNCR 24_96  AUD
Eli Radish 1972.02.25 St. Edward HS AUD
ELIZA GILKYSON_2008.11.21 Red Wing, MN AUD
Genesis 1976.04.23 St. Louis, Mo 24_96 AUD
Glass Harp 1972.03.18 John Marshall H.S. 24_96 AUD
Glass Harp 1973.05.25 Agora 24_96 WNCR FM
James Taylor 1979.07.19 Blossom Music Center 24_96 AUD
Jeff Beck 1972.10.31 BBC  WMMS 24_96 mono FM
Jefferson Airplane 1972.01.16 Public Hall AUD
Jefferson Airplane 1972.01.16 Public Hall AUD
Jesse Colin Young 1975.05.17 Allen Theater 24_96 AUD
Jesse Colin Young 1979 Coffee Break Concert 24_96 WMMS FM
Joe Ray Skrha's Recordings
John Bassette 1971 WNCR Edgewater Festival 24_96 mono AUD
John Bassette 1972.10.29 Agency Recording Studio's-Coffeebreak Concert  24_96 WNCR FM
JOHN BASSETTE Memorial Tribute Concert 2007.04.15 Beachland  16_44.1 AUD
John Denver 1974.05.04 Keil Auditorium_St. Louis 24_96 AUD
John Denver 1980.03.23 Richfield Coliseum 24_96 AUD
John Denver 1996.12.17 Palace Theatre, Columbus, OH 24_96 AUD
Judy Collins 1979.06.23 Blossom Music Center AUD
Judy Collins 1997.09.26 Kenai, AK 24_96 SBD
Louden Wainwright III 1972 WMMS Studio 24_192 preFM
M.S.B 1982.02.17 Agora_Coffee Break Concert WMMS-FM
McGovern Benefit Concert 1972.05.08 Cleveland Arena AUD
Michael Murphy 1976.10.25 Agora  24_96 WMMS_FM
Michael Stanley and Friends 1988.12.28 Palace Theatre AUD
Neil Yound 1973.11.19 Music Hall AUD
Neil Young  1996.09.04 Blossom Music Center AUD
Neil Young 1973.02.11 Public Hall 24_96 mono AUD
Neil Young 1983.02.19 Cobo Hall- Detroit, MI AUD
Phil Keaggy & Peter York 1973.02. St. John Nepomucene 24_96 Mono_SBD
Phil Keaggy & Peter York 1974.01.11 Ashland College AUD
Phil Keaggy & Peter York 1974.03.27 John Carroll University AUD
Phil Keaggy & Ted Sanquest 1975-76 Akron 32_96 Aud.wav
Phil Keaggy Band 1981.11.08 Fenton, MI 32_96 AUD.wav
Phil Keaggy Band 1981.11.08 Fenton, MI pt 2.wav
POCO 1972.06.10 WMMS 24_96 mono FM
Ramblin Jack Elliott 2010.09.18 Beachland Tavern AUD
Richie Furay 1978. Coffeebreak Concert WMMS_FM
Robin Trower 1973.10.22 Agora 24_96 AUD
Rolling Stones 1972.07.11 Akron Rubber Bowl AUD
Stephen Stills 1971.07.27 Public Hall AUD
Stephen Stills 1974.02.26 Music Hall AUD
Stephen Stills 1976.10.25 The Palladium NYC, NY 24_96 WMMS FM
Stephen Stills 1979.06.15 Blossom Music Center 24_96 AUD
Stephen Stills 1980.08.18 Front Row Theatre 24_96 AUD
Stephen Stills 1980.08.19 WEWS Afternoon Exchange AUD
Stephen Stills 2011.03.26 Washington, DC 24_96 AUD
Stephen Stills/Manassas 1973.07.11 Blossom Music Center 24_96 AUD
Stills_Young Band 1976.07.13 Richfield Coliseum AUD
The Who 1982.12.12 Richfield Coliseum 32_96 AUD.wav
Tim Joyce_Bob Koss & Friends 1970 Cleveland, OH 24_96 STUDIO
Tom Paxton 1979.05.04 Cellar Door, Wash. DC 24_96 AUD
Tom Russell 2006.11.21 Joe Ray's Home concert SBD Video
Traffic_Fairport Convention 1971.10.09 Public Hall 24_96 AUD
Van Morrison 1973 Cleveland, OH 24_96 SBD
West, Bruce & Lang 1972.04.21 Public Hall JRS AUD
WHO 1982.12.13 Richfield Coliseum AUD

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Hmm, I see a conspicious lack of anything from 1977. Out of the area or just not taping then (or is that just not part of this sample? You mentioned that this was just a fraction of the collection).

I look forward to seeing the entire list later, take care.

[jokerman17]

Just curious - You wouldn't happen to have "The Action" - Live at the Agora Coffee Break Concert from May 5, 1982.  I would really like to get my hands on that one.

Jim Kelly

[andromedanwarmachine]

this is amazing stuff- what a resource!

JimP