Topic: Transferring massive GD/JGB DAT collection to etree/Lossless Legs

[BLRARL]

Good morning,

Charlie Miller suggested I reach out to the forum on this site.  I am trying to coordinate the transfer of Several hundred shows my buddy Bob Melamed recorded during the late 80's and early 90's. I am in the process of obtaining 200-300 Dats Bob recorded and or plugged into the Soundboard. Charlie suggested buying a recorder or a digital card to process the downloads into torrents.  I am very familiar with uploading shows on lossless legs via Traders Little Helper, but am clueless on transferring shows from DAT's to torrents.  I would like to do this right. Clearly, I dont have the mixing capabilities that Charlie and others have, but would like to grow into this and progressively get better with each download.  This will be a big project with a new (very good ) audience source for every show from 90-92 (including JGB).  If anyone can point me in the right direction, I would greatly appreciate it. I would like to name each track with corresponding song, as when I download shows without song titles, it's a little annoying.  Thanks in advance!

[goodcooker]

I'm currently doing a transfer project for a retired taper and have done more than one of these. If you need a hand getting some tapes transferred I'd be happy to help (especially with the JGB stuff) as long as it's not too time sensitive. I have somewhat limited time to dedicate to side projects but I could do at least one every couple of days.

I'd recommend getting your hands on a Fostex D5 full size DAT deck - I've found mine to be the most reliable compared to other commonly available decks like the Panasonic or Tascam models - and either

1) a digital recorder with a digital input (there's a ton of choices - Marantz, Tascam, Edirol, Sound Devices, etc)
2) a USB interface with a digital input that can go to a computer you use as the capture device
both of these approaches avoids an unnecessary AD conversion step keeping it digital the whole time

Honestly, I used to do #2 now I do #1.

My workflow is
Create a master folder which will have a subfolder for each tape
Start the text file at the time transfer begins noting all details
Transfer the tape to digital recorder - one file per set
Move the memory card to computer and copy all files to related folder
Process files in Wavelab - gain edits, noise reduction, etc
Split tracks in CD Wave Editor and export as FLAC
Save text file that's been edited as track splits happen - everything goes into the subfolder for the tape
*you will tag your flacs at this point - I don't and I know I suck because of it - there's several threads here about this and several free programs for it
Create a FFP and torrent file in Traders Little Helper
Share

[checht]

I'd recommend getting your hands on a Fostex D5 full size DAT deck - I've found mine to be the most reliable compared to other commonly available decks like the Panasonic or Tascam models - and either

1) a digital recorder with a digital input (there's a ton of choices - Marantz, Tascam, Edirol, Sound Devices, etc)
2) a USB interface with a digital input that can go to a computer you use as the capture device
both of these approaches avoids an unnecessary AD conversion step keeping it digital the whole time

Honestly, I used to do #2 now I do #1.

Strong support for #1, significantly more reliable workflow.

20240809: edited to correct that I support using method 1. D'oh.

[bonghitwillie]

fostex d5 into a tascam 3000. learn how to take the cover off the d5 and clean the heads with an alcohol soaked tech wipe. fast forward and rewind the tapes. they might not all play back. some might break.