Author Topic: A thousand DATs? (Read 11681 times)

it-goes-to-eleven · « **on:** February 03, 2012, 09:16:54 AM »

I have a friend with a thousand DATs. Maybe it is only 500, but probably closer to a thousand. They need to be transferred. Many of them are probably lone sources.

How do you get a handle on that? Start a company and get an intern?

twatts (pants are so over-rated...) · « **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:24:14 AM »

I could help with some... Does your friend have a list???

Terry

it-goes-to-eleven · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:39:43 AM »

I don't think there is a proper list. Quite a few were probably recorded with recording permission but not distribution.

I asked him a while ago if he's made any transfer progress and he just sighed.. I think he's just not into it. It's off the radar.

I wonder how many others are in this situation? Maybe their DAT drive is even broken. I wonder how long those tapes have before bit-rot and physical degradation become major factors?

hi and lo · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2012, 10:02:17 AM »

I don't think there is any shortage of working DAT decks; it's really finding new blanks that is a challenge.

Plenty of folks around here would probably be happy to help out with transfers, including myself. The clock is definitely ticking on tape degradation.

69mako · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2012, 10:20:34 AM »

I would gladly help out too. I have a DA20 mkII that needs some use again. There are plenty of us around willing to lend a helping hand.

Mako

twatts (pants are so over-rated...) · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2012, 10:33:36 AM »

Quote from: it-goes-to-eleven on February 03, 2012, 09:39:43 AM

I don't think there is a proper list. Quite a few were probably recorded with recording permission but not distribution.

I asked him a while ago if he's made any transfer progress and he just sighed.. I think he's just not into it. It's off the radar.

I wonder how many others are in this situation? Maybe their DAT drive is even broken. I wonder how long those tapes have before bit-rot and physical degradation become major factors?

Well, tell him I would be happy to do any of his Phish or related material...

Terry

sunset · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2012, 11:41:37 AM »

I've been transferring hundreds of DAT's the last few months finally, most of them were about 8 -18 years old. I sent my deck in before hand for a check up, it functioned fine. I had good luck for the most part, some broken tapes. I noticed the Maxell DAT's I used like to break(luckily I bought mostly Sony), maybe it was a bad batch. Anyone have any tips or tricks on repairing broken DAT's? I've taped together some without too much trouble, but needed someone to help get it together. Good luck with the transfers.

bhoy · « **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2012, 12:08:09 PM »

I'm in the same situation. It's just overwhelming overload! I have a Sony R500 and a Marantz PMD661. For preservation sake only, I just need to start transferring, and then saving off the raw wav file. Indexing tracks can happen later.

I don't even want to think of the 1000's of analogs!

Bill

ilduclo · « **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2012, 12:13:18 PM »

I'd be possibly interested in helping depending on the material, my deck was just serviced.

greenone · « **Reply #9 on:** February 03, 2012, 12:35:34 PM »

I'm willing to chip in too.

First step is to at least organize them, as good a list as you can put together. You might get people willing to just take a grab bag, but it's better to have some motivation - folks like to work on what they know. You'll get a better transfer and better documentation that way.

Then break 'em up into batches, probably by band. Maybe batches of 10-20. Once you see what folks are interested in, have 'em do maybe 2/3 what they want, and 1/3 other stuff, or half and half. That way you don't have stuff that just sits and rots because people aren't willing to take it on.

it-goes-to-eleven · « **Reply #10 on:** February 03, 2012, 12:44:50 PM »

In the 90's, I had a SCSI DAT drive. That would be a far better way to do transfers than a DAT deck that needs to send the digi out via SPDIF or similar. I think it is in storage somewhere. Heck, I might have loaned it to my friend years ago, but I don't think so.

The other neat thing about the scsi drive was that it can give you statistics about retries, errors, etc. That is invaluable in knowing how good the xfer is.

If this thread can help get the ball rolling with getting some of these old tapes transferred for protection, than that is a very good thing. I figure quite a few folks have moved on from DAT and just don't want to deal with them anymore.

A lot of folks probably feel the same way about their old analog masters.

fleish · « **Reply #11 on:** February 03, 2012, 12:56:22 PM »

I had a bunch of Keller Williams DAT's shipped to me ~6 years ago. I transferred some of them, but since then my DAT deck went missing. If anyone here wanted to take those on let me know.

hi and lo · « **Reply #12 on:** February 03, 2012, 01:21:53 PM »

Quote from: it-goes-to-eleven on February 03, 2012, 12:44:50 PM

In the 90's, I had a SCSI DAT drive. That would be a far better way to do transfers than a DAT deck that needs to send the digi out via SPDIF or similar. I think it is in storage somewhere. Heck, I might have loaned it to my friend years ago, but I don't think so.

The other neat thing about the scsi drive was that it can give you statistics about retries, errors, etc. That is invaluable in knowing how good the xfer is.

Yeah... Data drives that could read audio DATs were really a step above (2x speed, iirc), but you'll probably need a machine with windows 98 for the drivers to work. I'm not sure they ever worked with XP, but if they do, that's certainly a better option.

But whether you're using an audio DAT deck or a data drive, the key as others point is simply organization and having a good setup to capture the raw data. Getting through the transfer process is most important; tracking and editing can come after the fact. For me, it was always an issue of tying up main computer while the transfer is going, but there are plenty of cheaper portables now with SPIDF that you don't need a computer at all.

H₂O · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2012, 03:08:13 PM »

I have 10-15 audio capiable dds drives and 1 dedicated xfering laptop running xp

This works in most cases but occasionally I still need to use my PCM 7040, a8, or sv4100 to do some tapes

The dds drives are definitely the way to go if you got em

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #14 on:** February 03, 2012, 05:19:54 PM »

I feel your pain bro. I have about 400 or so that are lone sources and NEED to be xferred

Liquid Meat · « **Reply #15 on:** February 04, 2012, 10:27:35 AM »

I might e willing to coordinate efforts if there is interest.

I can do splitting, tracking, etc too if there is a need.

daspyknows · « **Reply #16 on:** February 05, 2012, 01:21:52 PM »

I've had some of mine done. getting them out and distributed is a good thing. The longer it goes the less likely it ever gets done. Maybe start a new board to organize group efforts on this.

deadhoarse · « **Reply #17 on:** February 05, 2012, 05:07:31 PM »

I offered to transfer a friends old DATs that he had no plans of transferring (dozens of DATs, early 00's NYC-area indie rock). I was saddened when I got them and found that a majority of the tapes weren't labeled

slowburn · « **Reply #18 on:** February 07, 2012, 12:38:09 PM »

For years I had no idea how to do this. Or actually I didn't want to deal with it so I tried to not think about it. Hoping it would magically solve itself. And it almost did.

I suddenly noticed that my Fostex D-5 deck had a digital XLR output. And my Edirol R-4 pro has a digital XLR input. I had both for several years before I even noticed this.

I'm pretty sure you can get both or some other combination really cheap on ebay or somewhere.

All it took for me was to buy a digital XLR cable. No need for and amp or computer or anything else at this stage. You can set this up in the closet or garage or wherever.

Step 1
It takes about 30 seconds per tape to load it, hit record and check so the sample rates corresponds (needs to be set manually but it'll tell you if it needs to be changed).

I then do enough tapes for the harddisk to start to fill up. Often 50 or so.

Step 2
When it's full (or I need the Edirol for any live taping) just transfer the digital files from the Edirol via USB.

Step 3
Then it takes a little time to go through the files and name then correctly and delete any silence. Sometime there are hours of silence when I forget to stop the transfer but it's easily deleted so it doesn't matter.

Step 4
Do back-up to several places. Once this is done the tapes can be packed away.

Step 5
Splitting tracks and any editing as with any other recording.

Step 1-4 doesn't really take much actual time to do. The main problem for me has been to remember to write down the transfered shows in order so I know what file is what before I name them on the computer.

I have 500+ tapes so even starting 2-3 tansfers any night I'm home it will take a long time to get them all into the computer.

med9 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 07, 2012, 02:23:03 PM »

I have several decks and transfer methods could do maybe 6 dats at least per day. 6tb worth of hard drive space. I am sure they will make a nice home herein Oregon! I would share you u desire that or ? lmk pm or whatever

I have over 4000 dats as well still transferring as well
2 fostex d5's
1 tascam da-mkII
2 tasacm da-p1's
5 irivers I can use as optical transfer for dats.
1 sonmy dtc 700
1 panasonic sv3700
1 sony pcm r300

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #20 on:** February 11, 2012, 12:12:04 AM »

Quote from: med9 on February 07, 2012, 02:23:03 PM

I have several decks and transfer methods could do maybe 6 dats at least per day. 6tb worth of hard drive space. I am sure they will make a nice home herein Oregon! I would share you u desire that or ? lmk pm or whatever

I have over 4000 dats as well still transferring as well
2 fostex d5's
1 tascam da-mkII
2 tasacm da-p1's
5 irivers I can use as optical transfer for dats.
1 sonmy dtc 700
1 panasonic sv3700
1 sony pcm r300

KICKASS

bonghitwillie · « **Reply #21 on:** February 11, 2012, 01:44:54 PM »

the first question is, are all these master recordings? or recordings of artists/shows that have never been in circulation before? if not, are they really worth transfering? i am slowly transfering about the same amount of dats i personally recorded before i went solid state recording. i use a fostex d5 into a box that converts XLR digi out to firewire into final cut pro on a mac. i have used alot of dat machines and the fostex d5 has lasted the longest and is still going strong. plus it has always played ALL tapes. it gets head clogs occaisionally and you have to take the cover off and use alcohol and a tech wipe to clean the heads. if you have a tape that plays back silent, clean the heads. do NOT get a tascam or panasonic. fugazi has been transfering their recordings for the past couple of years and ian used a scsi data unit he got on ebay for cheap. he told me they pb at 4x speed. he also told me that if the unit hits a bad spot in a tape, it will try and resample it. i did not go this method because of the learning curve and i was reluctant to play masters at anything but real time.

med9 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 12, 2012, 06:15:05 PM »

I really would like to take the lead on this project I have six pro dat decks that I can do transfers on. also using my computer as well as 5 irivers to digital transfer any tape possible32 44.1 48 oor whatever. the options are almost endless. coax and optical options as well.. if anyone would like me to transfer their collections let me know. serious inquiry!

H₂O · « **Reply #23 on:** February 13, 2012, 11:42:33 AM »

I have the following:
- 1 Sony PCM-7040 - 4 motor 4 head - Supports 44.1K/48K and Timecode - built Error Correction (most decks have very limited EC capibilities if any at all)
- 1 Sony DTC-A8 - 4 motor - 32/44.1/48
- 1 Panasonic SV-4100 - 2 motor 2 head - 32/44.1/48K and Timecode (will not gen timecode)
- 9 SGI SDT-9000 DDS Drives (6 13.1 Firmware, 1 13.0 Firmware, 2 12.2 Firmware) - all formats supported - built in Error Corrections - 2.4x audio extract with output reports via DAT2WAV (you can find potential dropouts and diginoise using the output)
- 2 Connor CTD-8000 5.AE Firmware - 2x Audio Extract
- 1 SGI DDS-1 Drive 1x Audio Extract

I xfer all DATs via DDS first and if I hit a bad one I use the PCM-7040 or A8 (if it is a 32Khz DAT)

med9 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 17, 2012, 09:55:01 AM »

I have 8 decks and I am willing and able to make both analog and dat transfers as well as minidisc transfers. let me know
Thanks, Mike

I have 2 panasonic sv3700 1 tascam da-mkII and 2 tasacm da-p1's 2 d8 and a d7 as well as 2 fostex d5's and sony pcm r300
and 6 irivers I can use as transfers as well as 2 mini disc player/recorder 1 home decks

I am willing and able to make whatever transfers you need I also have a local friend that can assit as well he has a few home decks as well. Thanks, Mike

Quote from: H₂O on February 13, 2012, 11:42:33 AM

I have the following:
- 1 Sony PCM-7040 - 4 motor 4 head - Supports 44.1K/48K and Timecode - built Error Correction (most decks have very limited EC capibilities if any at all)
- 1 Sony DTC-A8 - 4 motor - 32/44.1/48
- 1 Panasonic SV-4100 - 2 motor 2 head - 32/44.1/48K and Timecode (will not gen timecode)
- 9 SGI SDT-9000 DDS Drives (6 13.1 Firmware, 1 13.0 Firmware, 2 12.2 Firmware) - all formats supported - built in Error Corrections - 2.4x audio extract with output reports via DAT2WAV (you can find potential dropouts and diginoise using the output)
- 2 Connor CTD-8000 5.AE Firmware - 2x Audio Extract
- 1 SGI DDS-1 Drive 1x Audio Extract

I xfer all DATs via DDS first and if I hit a bad one I use the PCM-7040 or A8 (if it is a 32Khz DAT)

markslog · « **Reply #25 on:** February 17, 2012, 03:28:38 PM »

I did this 4-5 years ago (transferred almost 2000 DATs). I had 6 computers and 6 DATs decks all going at once. It was apart of my routine for about a year
to transferred all those DATs. I was using 200GB IDE HDDs. Once larger HDDs came out I consolidated. Now I still have tons of 200GB IDE HDDs.

And now I'm doing the same thing with my MiniDVs tapes (over 1600) and my VHS tapes (over 1000). Been going for over a year. :-)

If I had to do it again I would do DATs > Tascam DR-680 or something similar with a digital input.

Mark

med9 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 20, 2012, 03:21:42 PM »

well again if anyone looking for help to transfer dats or a dat collection/s
I have 8 pro dat decks and 6 irivers and computer transfers to assist in any project none to small or big. I am transferring my dat collection as well as I am typing this. Cheers, Mike

fleish · « **Reply #27 on:** February 20, 2012, 08:37:31 PM »

Quote from: med9 on February 20, 2012, 03:21:42 PM

well again if anyone looking for help to transfer dats or a dat collection/s
I have 8 pro dat decks and 6 irivers and computer transfers to assist in any project none to small or big. I am transferring my dat collection as well as I am typing this. Cheers, Mike

I will definitely take you up on this kind offer in the near future, Mike.

med9 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 25, 2012, 10:03:04 AM »

let me know when you are ready to do this
what bands in your collection. I have a good rined nearby that will help as well has a few tascam pro dat decks as well

Quote from: fleish on February 20, 2012, 08:37:31 PM

Quote from: med9 on February 20, 2012, 03:21:42 PM
well again if anyone looking for help to transfer dats or a dat collection/s
I have 8 pro dat decks and 6 irivers and computer transfers to assist in any project none to small or big. I am transferring my dat collection as well as I am typing this. Cheers, Mike

I will definitely take you up on this kind offer in the near future, Mike.

fleish · « **Reply #29 on:** February 25, 2012, 02:04:21 PM »

Quote from: med9 on February 25, 2012, 10:03:04 AM

let me know when you are ready to do this
what bands in your collection. I have a good rined nearby that will help as well has a few tascam pro dat decks as well

Quote from: fleish on February 20, 2012, 08:37:31 PM
Quote from: med9 on February 20, 2012, 03:21:42 PM
well again if anyone looking for help to transfer dats or a dat collection/s
I have 8 pro dat decks and 6 irivers and computer transfers to assist in any project none to small or big. I am transferring my dat collection as well as I am typing this. Cheers, Mike

I will definitely take you up on this kind offer in the near future, Mike.

It's a Keller Williams collection that I got through a similar circumstance back in 2005-2006. Someone mailed them to me to do transfers. I did some and kept meaning to do more up until my deck disappeared $:-\$ I'll try to dig up the box this weekend. Will shoot you a PM for address and such.

twatts (pants are so over-rated...) · « **Reply #30 on:** February 25, 2012, 03:39:18 PM »

Quote from: fleish on February 25, 2012, 02:04:21 PM

It's a Keller Williams collection that I got through a similar circumstance back in 2005-2006. Someone mailed them to me to do transfers. I did some and kept meaning to do more up until my deck disappeared $:-\$ I'll try to dig up the box this weekend. Will shoot you a PM for address and such.

Was that me??? I sorta remember doing something like that...

Terry

fleish · « **Reply #31 on:** February 25, 2012, 07:05:48 PM »

Quote from: twatts and not wearing pants on February 25, 2012, 03:39:18 PM

Quote from: fleish on February 25, 2012, 02:04:21 PM

It's a Keller Williams collection that I got through a similar circumstance back in 2005-2006. Someone mailed them to me to do transfers. I did some and kept meaning to do more up until my deck disappeared $:-\$ I'll try to dig up the box this weekend. Will shoot you a PM for address and such.

Was that me??? I sorta remember doing something like that...

Terry

I think it was you. The real irony was when I tried replied to one of your DAT transfer offers to try and send them back to you

Hm, now that I've pulled the box out it looks like it came from Marty Skillen in Socal. Heh, guess I could have shipped them to you that time after all

OldNeumanntapr · « **Reply #32 on:** February 26, 2012, 02:15:00 PM »

I've been dealing with this same thing for a long time now. I have about 650 DATs and I have been working hard for a number of years to transfer my masters so they will not die a solitary death. I agree that it's important to triage the project, and only work on masters of shows that were not (knowingly) recorded by anyone else.

I'd like to help out but it's taking all my time just to do my own. I'm transferring now via: Tascam DA-P1->coax digital cable->HHb CDR 800. My DA-30 died and I don't know if I'll ever have the money to have it serviced again. The DA-P1 is my only (working) deck that has a coax output.

(If there are any David Lindley or Dick Dale masters in that box I might be able to help on those.

)

fleish · « **Reply #33 on:** February 26, 2012, 08:10:09 PM »

So here's a question. When I did some DAT transfers, I just used the 1/8" stereo jack and went analog into a line-in on the computer. This was back before mac's had dual-purpose analog/optical line-in ports. If I were so inclined, how would I get a digital/optical signal into one from say a digital coax cable?

greenone · « **Reply #34 on:** February 26, 2012, 10:02:38 PM »

Short answer? Don't. You've got an R4, so go digi-in to that and transfer to your computer from there. I run everything from my DA-20 to my Microtrack, save it to the internal CF, then switch to USB mode and dump it to my computer.

fleish · « **Reply #35 on:** February 27, 2012, 02:01:48 AM »

Quote from: greenone on February 26, 2012, 10:02:38 PM

Short answer? Don't. You've got an R4, so go digi-in to that and transfer to your computer from there. I run everything from my DA-20 to my Microtrack, save it to the internal CF, then switch to USB mode and dump it to my computer.

Oh yeah, thanks

F.O.Bean · « **Reply #36 on:** February 27, 2012, 03:04:03 AM »

Anyone wanna sell me a cheap DAT or xfer some tapes for me?

StarkRavingCalm · « **Reply #37 on:** April 13, 2012, 01:38:51 PM »

Quote from: it-goes-to-eleven on February 03, 2012, 09:16:54 AM

I have a friend with a thousand DATs. Maybe it is only 500, but probably closer to a thousand. They need to be transferred. Many of them are probably lone sources.

How do you get a handle on that? Start a company and get an intern?

Are you still looking for assistance with this?
Were you able to get any kind of a list together?
What type of music are these?

kc7fys · « **Reply #38 on:** February 28, 2013, 11:44:32 AM »

DATHEADS2WAV is a YahooGroup
If you're not a member, you might want to stop in. Focusing on using cheap DDS drives with audio firmware to transfer DATs to audio file formats.
Also a video on the same topic by some geek who's doing it in his basement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faUh4v2VMqI&list=UUat6qeYlTuRBDLs4WQi6ddg&index=1
-Jonathan

Author Topic: A thousand DATs? (Read 11681 times)

ilduclo