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Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: red on March 26, 2017, 06:43:18 PM

Title: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: red on March 26, 2017, 06:43:18 PM
My m-audio audiophile 2496 has bitten the dust, just as I was getting ready to transfer from some old DAT tapes.  I have an old Conner DDS drive I'm hoping to figure out, but I'd also like another option.  Are there any good external/USB interfaces I should consider?  Any advice is much appreciated, thanks in advance. 
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: LoveBuzz81 on March 27, 2017, 12:03:16 AM
My m-audio audiophile 2496 has bitten the dust, just as I was getting ready to transfer from some old DAT tapes.  I have an old Conner DDS drive I'm hoping to figure out, but I'd also like another option.  Are there any good external/USB interfaces I should consider?  Any advice is much appreciated, thanks in advance.

If you have a Mac you could buy the first Apogee Duet (Firewire) for under $200.  Or UA Apollo Duo.
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: twatts (pants are so over-rated...) on March 27, 2017, 02:04:10 AM
IMO, buy an inexpensive Recorder that does SPDIF input, and save your PC for other things...

Terry
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: LoveBuzz81 on March 27, 2017, 02:35:47 AM
IMO, buy an inexpensive Recorder that does SPDIF input, and save your PC for other things...

Terry

or you could buy an inexpensive used audio interface like the duet with top shelf converters.
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: noahbickart on March 27, 2017, 07:57:50 AM
IMO, buy an inexpensive Recorder that does SPDIF input, and save your PC for other things...

Terry

or you could buy an inexpensive used audio interface like the duet with top shelf converters.

Why buy stuff you don't need?

If you want to do DAT transfers, an inexpensive recorder or interface with a bit perfect spdif is all you need.
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: red on March 27, 2017, 09:47:50 AM
Thanks everyone.  I have a PC.  I have a glut of recorders, but none with spdif in.  The DATs are 32 and 48khz.  Does anyone have suggestions for a relatively inexpensive recorder or interface that would do the job?  Thanks, I really appreciate your thoughts and advice.
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: larrysellers on March 27, 2017, 09:52:49 AM
Microtrack 24/96. You should able to get a working unit on eBay for around $30 shipped.
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: red on March 27, 2017, 09:54:53 AM
Microtrack 24/96. You should able to get a working unit on eBay for around $30 shipped.

Thanks! 
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: morst on March 28, 2017, 02:41:22 AM
I have an old Conner DDS drive I'm hoping to figure out...

There's a Yahoo Group called datheads2wav which is all about getting the DDS drives to work to transcribe DAT's to WAV

https://beta.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/datheads2wav/info

I have never tried it but the group has good instructions and I've seen folks post their thanks for positive results. The first thing to check is if your drive is the right type of drive, and with the correct firmware, as I understand it.

If you have a DAT machine with a working S/Pdif output, the cheap microtrack might be a good option [assume that you'll have to power it with a USB pack for best powering], or why not just buy a replacement MAudio2496 card? (by the way, mAudio made the microtrack!!)
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: red on March 28, 2017, 01:20:48 PM
I have an old Conner DDS drive I'm hoping to figure out...

There's a Yahoo Group called datheads2wav which is all about getting the DDS drives to work to transcribe DAT's to WAV

https://beta.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/datheads2wav/info

I have never tried it but the group has good instructions and I've seen folks post their thanks for positive results. The first thing to check is if your drive is the right type of drive, and with the correct firmware, as I understand it.

If you have a DAT machine with a working S/Pdif output, the cheap microtrack might be a good option [assume that you'll have to power it with a USB pack for best powering], or why not just buy a replacement MAudio2496 card? (by the way, mAudio made the microtrack!!)

Thanks!  I've been reading through all the info re: the DDS drive.  The person who gave it to me several years back had used it for DAT transfers, so it *should* have the correct firmware.  I just need to figure out which of my old machines has space for it, then tackle it (I'm decent with computers but this setup seems a bit daunting for some reason).

I thought about replacing the MAudio 2496 card (I really loved mine and am unsure why it just stopped working)... but it seems that either the Microtrack 24/96, or an interface of some sort, would be more versatile at this point.  I have an old Tascam DA-20mkII, which has S/Pdif output.
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: LoveBuzz81 on March 28, 2017, 01:58:19 PM
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/element-24

This is a new line of products by Apogee.  optical I/O, XLR/TRS I/O...

Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: morst on March 28, 2017, 04:13:46 PM
There is no need to spend money on Apogee's great A>D conversion for this project...
Original poster is looking for bit-perfect digital transfers.

http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/element-24

This is a new line of products by Apogee.  optical I/O, XLR/TRS I/O...

HAHAHA IT's SMOKENBURN!  I thought you left, FELICIA!!!
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: Sloan Simpson on March 28, 2017, 04:47:18 PM
 :facepalm:
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: LoveBuzz81 on March 28, 2017, 06:40:28 PM
There is no need to spend money on Apogee's great A>D conversion for this project...
Original poster is looking for bit-perfect digital transfers.

http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/element-24

This is a new line of products by Apogee.  optical I/O, XLR/TRS I/O...

HAHAHA IT's SMOKENBURN!  I thought you left, FELICIA!!!

It's a good option for analog or digital transfers and there may be some interest here for this as well as other uses (high quality playback with analog, digital, headphone I/O's, mastering, AD/DA, preamps, recording).  $600 new and $200 for used older interfaces particularly is a good investment.  If a $30 recorder with spdif or replacement maudio card works for you then great.  The OP expressed interested in external audio interfaces.  "Are there any GOOD external/usb interfaces I should consider?" VERBATIM.  "Or an interface of some sort, would be more versatile at this point."  Verbatim.  What the FUCK do you think this is?  The OP didn't state a price range/budget and you aren't going to find any "good" interfaces for $30.

So many classy douchebag "tapers" on this site.  I'm not going to get into your passive aggressive internet behavior, but I'll tell you this... your comments and attitude have been noted.  Some of you really should learn about reaping what you sow.


hahahahaha nerds in a group laughing.



OP: "any advice is appreciated".

You're welcome.
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: Gordon on March 28, 2017, 08:10:56 PM
I have an audiophile 2496 collecting dust.  you pay shipping and it's yours.  I haven't transferred with it in years but did use it for digital playback till about a year ago and it worked great.
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: red on March 28, 2017, 08:30:54 PM
I have an audiophile 2496 collecting dust.  you pay shipping and it's yours.  I haven't transferred with it in years but did use it for digital playback till about a year ago and it worked great.

Thanks!
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: H₂O on March 28, 2017, 09:25:33 PM
Unfortunately the Microtrack does not do 32Khz (correct me if I am wrong)

The only cheap recorders with digital input that support 32Khz (that I could find) where the Creative Labs JB3 and iRiver H120 rockboxed.

The Sound Devices 7xx series will sync and record at 32Khz (according to SD documentation) but these are still pretty expensive at $750+

My JB3 bit the dust due to battery corrosion (the internal clock battery) so I am moving to a VXPocket V2 + a Windows XP laptop for this purpose.



Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: larrysellers on March 29, 2017, 03:30:31 AM
The MT 2496 will do a 32k dat but you have to trick it. Feed the MT a 44.1 or 48k digital signal to start the recording. Once the MT sees the signal and starts recording, start playing your 32k dat. Import the resulting file as raw data at 16 bit / 32k and resample to whatever you desire.
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: morst on March 29, 2017, 01:33:27 PM
So many classy douchebag "tapers" on this site.  I'm not going to get into your passive aggressive internet behavior, but I'll tell you this... your comments and attitude have been noted.  Some of you really should learn about reaping what you sow.

Seriously, I thought you left? Is this Lash-out part two, or Flame-out part one?

LoveBuzz81 (Dillon Fries) has a long history here on TS.  While he's made some positive contributions, he also has a long-running habit of lashing and flaming out, deleting his account, and then re-registering.  As such, it's difficult for TSers not 'in the know' to keep track of his posting history and consistent, repetitive, bad behavior.  For a sampling, reference his starting post in this thread:

http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=178667.0

This is but a mild sampling of the way he responds when things don't go perfectly his way or others disagree with him.  All buyers and sellers should be aware of significant risks involved in Yard Sale transactions with this TS member.

If you wish to further review his contributions to TS, both positive and negative, you also may search his TS history under the following usernames:
  • smokenburn
  • dillon
  • slushie
  • slushpuppy
  • fraggle
  • chimneytop
I'm sure there are others, but it's a little hard to keep track of them all.

Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: H₂O on March 29, 2017, 02:06:43 PM
The MT 2496 will do a 32k dat but you have to trick it. Feed the MT a 44.1 or 48k digital signal to start the recording. Once the MT sees the signal and starts recording, start playing your 32k dat. Import the resulting file as raw data at 16 bit / 32k and resample to whatever you desire.


Are you saying you fix the header in the resulting WAV file?  Is the MT re-syncing to the 32Khz clock?


Would this approach work with other recorders?
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: larrysellers on March 29, 2017, 02:27:55 PM
Yes, you need to adjust the header because the resulting file straight from the microtrack will play too fast (32k at 44.1k), much like a 33rpm record at 45rpm. The only other recorder I have found this approach to work with is the Fostex FR2. 
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: Idle Wind on April 05, 2017, 02:48:39 PM
I'm in the same boat.   I have an MAudio 2496, but can't seem to get it working on Windows 10.  It worked in 7 and 8 (I think) on the same computer, can't get it to work in 10 though.

I hadn't thought of those Microtracks.  They are bit perfect, but have been known to catch fire occasionally....... :D

I was looking at this, it has SPDIF Coax In, looks pretty good, not sure about the chipset and resampling.....

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0183ELUTY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1ASOER90INDO1&coliid=I30W1O46PBYJ8Y

Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: larrysellers on April 05, 2017, 02:50:52 PM
You can take the battery out and it works fine ---> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-srxb3Y_dc
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: Gordon on April 05, 2017, 02:53:06 PM
I have an MAudio 2496, but can't seem to get it working on Windows 10.  It worked in 7 and 8 (I think) on the same computer, can't get it to work in 10 though.


Mine worked in Windows 10 although I never used it for transfers.  It worked fine for digital playback.
Title: Re: soundcard for DAT transfer advice needed
Post by: Scooter123 on May 10, 2017, 08:06:12 PM
Any decent focusright will have a spdif input--that assumes your DAT also has a spdif input.