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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: Rerun on September 25, 2015, 09:42:18 AM
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Hey Folks-
I'm new to the forum, been trying to get on for a while. I was told I have family here.
I could use a little help:
I have a ton of DATs I have been collecting for over 15 years and now it is time to transfer them to a hard drive.
I am playing out of a Panasonic SV-3800 via toslink to my macbook pro with audacity. The macbook I have does not have a digital in. I have been trying to use my UA-1ex to USB. And although audacity recognizes the UA-1ex, it will not pick up any signal. I have used two different UA-1ex(s), so I know the problem is not with a sick converter.
Can someone offer some suggestions as to how I can get these recordings onto my computer?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
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I'm surprised that I have not heard any response yet.
Can anyone give me any advice on how to transfer DATs to a harddrive? Mac or not?
Thanks
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Your approach sounds right, if I'm following (and my assumptions about the UA-1EX are correct):
- Playback on SV-3800 using optical / toslink OUT
- Optical / Toslink IN on UA-1EX
- UA-1EX performs purely digital conversion of toslink / optical signal to USB
- UA-1EX USB OUT
- USB IN on Macbook
- Capture USB input via Macbook / Audacity
The only unknown for me in this case is how the UA-1EX treats the optical / toslink > USB conversion: does it resample, is it bit-accurate, etc. Ideally, the UA-1EX would not resample and be bit-accurate. In the grand scheme of things, it's not the end of the world if it doesn't, but it's definitely preferable.
If Audacity isn't picking up the signal, I'd first confirm there is, in fact, a signal. Try using other software to confirm the UA-1EX is actually passing a signal -- for example an audio player to play back the signal from the UA-1EX in real-time, or another recording app.
Once the signal is confirmed, the issue is then configuring Audacity to recognize said signal.
Unfortunately, I can't help beyond any of this as I'm not familiar with Mac.
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It does resample everything to 48k.
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Is there a way to transfer the tapes to another PC?
Is there a PC on the market that has a digital in?
What is the most common method for transferring DATs to a harddrive?
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Are you quite certain your MacBook doesnt have a digital input?
Sometimes the 1/8 inputs are dual format - and accept analog and optical signals.
You'll need a optical cable with the proper 1/8 connector or an adapter.
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Thank you Brian and everyone else.
I got it.
Now, if my SV-3800s will just behave. They're old, and need a cleaning every now and again.
Anyone out there still work with these machines?
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What was the solution you found? I'll be in the same boat here pretty soon. I have a mother load of non-circulated tapes a friend has asked I help transfer. I'll be going into a macbook as well. My understanding is the 3.5mm is analog out and digital (optical). No to find a cheap, reliable DAT deck to do these transfers..
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The pathway was just as described above:
Panasonic SV-3800> toslink > Edirol UA-ex1 > usb > Audacity > .flac
I happen to have an extra Edirol UA-ex1 if you are interested
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In case anyone is wondering. The Mac Minis have a digital input. The MacBooks don't. Mine doesn't anyway.
For me, I use a Sony D10ProII with the Sony digital cable ( AES )>HOSA ODL 312>Mac Mini. Works just fine.
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Thanks gormenghast for confirming. I am going to use my old mac mini to do my transfers. I found this guide on an Apple support page that helps identify if your 3.5mm is just a headphone/digital out, or if it is also a digital input. The HOSA converts the AES to optical? I wonder if any of the older DAT players have optical outs to save me a bit.. Still looking for my DAT player I will use..
(http://s14.postimg.org/dw4blu2i9/apple_ports.jpg)
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The HOSA ODL 312 ( there are other models ) does convert from AES>Optical. I did have problems with Sony D50 and D100 as bit buckets.
Other's can chime in about DAT decks with an optical output.