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Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: tapeworm48 on March 29, 2026, 01:18:30 PM

Title: Salvaging a distorted DAT recording
Post by: tapeworm48 on March 29, 2026, 01:18:30 PM
I recorded a show on DAT many years back that came out all distorted. The issue was that the recorder got switched to High Mic Sensitivity accidentally. Is there a way to salvage this in post-processing? I'm on a Mac and the only software that I have access to currently is Audacity.

TIA!
Title: Re: Salvaging a distorted DAT recording
Post by: u2_fly_2 on March 30, 2026, 11:27:21 AM
Quote from: tapeworm48 on March 29, 2026, 01:18:30 PM
I recorded a show on DAT many years back that came out all distorted. The issue was that the recorder got switched to High Mic Sensitivity accidentally. Is there a way to salvage this in post-processing? I'm on a Mac and the only software that I have access to currently is Audacity.

TIA!


I am sure there´s some folks out there that can help you improve your recording. I had the same issue for about 2-3 recordings but to totally remove the distortion can be tricky. Wishing you the best of luck!
Title: Re: Salvaging a distorted DAT recording
Post by: papabliss on March 30, 2026, 02:17:44 PM
That distortion is probably severe clipping which will be hard to repair on an DAT recording.
In Audacity you can try things like
1. Clip Fix
2. Applying the compressor and then limiter
3. Applying a - dB amplify
4. Using EQ to cut the high frequencies
Title: Re: Salvaging a distorted DAT recording
Post by: nulldogmas on March 30, 2026, 02:26:08 PM
It really all depends on what's causing the distortion. There are some other tools in programs like iZotope RX that can address some of these problems, but sometimes it's hopeless — can you share a sample?
Title: Re: Salvaging a distorted DAT recording
Post by: tapeworm48 on March 30, 2026, 02:45:10 PM
Quote from: nulldogmas on March 30, 2026, 02:26:08 PM
It really all depends on what's causing the distortion. There are some other tools in programs like iZotope RX that can address some of these problems, but sometimes it's hopeless — can you share a sample?

I will have to do a quick transfer to share the WAV but happy to do so.

The distortion is due to the mic sensitivity being set incorrectly. They were Sonic Studio mics (incorrectly) set at high sensitivity for a rock show. I was standing under the stack too, which won't help this situation. But it happened to me at the next show too, where I was at a bar, a bit further back. 
Title: Re: Salvaging a distorted DAT recording
Post by: tapeworm48 on April 02, 2026, 02:41:38 PM
here is the sample: https://downloads.tapeworm48.com/sampleAPCdistorted.wav