Topic: Simplest Transfer Method

[charles]

I was curious if there is a way to transfer DAT from my D8 to my desktop w/o buying an expensive bulky converter. I guess the easiest way to pose this question would be "what is the cheapest way to transfer DAT from a D8 to a desktop?" Whatever the options are, I am of course also interested in how much sound quality I may or may not loose by using these less expensive options. Thanks.

[Tim]

I see that you have a jb3... do you have a way to digitally go from your D8 to your jb3? if so I would just record the dat onto the jb3 and the use the jb3 to transfer to your desktop.

[charles]

That's actually a mistake I need to change. I don't have a jb3. I wish I did....transfer would be very simple.

[Krispy D]

how about anolog out into an external sound card like the griffin imic ($55.00 retail, about $35.00 on ebay) via usb to your editing software??  simple, cheap, not to lossy, just a little time consuming...   It is real time unfortunately.  this is how I transfer from my MD.

[Brian Skalinder]

how about anolog out into an external sound card like the griffin imic ($55.00 retail, about $35.00 on ebay)

For about the same price, you could get a bit-transparent soundcard and do digital transfers.  Still real-time, but no way around that with the D8 unless you want to go the DDS drive route on PC, which IMO sounds like a PITA.

[charles]

Yeah....it looks like what would be best is some sort of external soundcard with a coax in and usb out that I could run my 7pin to coax to from the D8 and then run the usb in to Wavelab. The only problem with the DDS drive is that about half of the transfers I need to do are on DAT and half on DDS. That would be a problem since a DDS drive will not play DAT. Does anyone know of a good external sound card with a coax in and usb or firewire out.

[chase]

there is software/support for reading audio data from a DDS drive.  i tried it once and it was such hassle i wouldn't recommend it unless you are very computer savvy AND have plenty of time/patience.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/adrian.rixon/personal/ade/dat-dds/index.html

i believe the DDS drive will read both DAT and DDS grade tapes.  if i'm not mistaken the only difference between the two is what type of environment they are manufactured in.

[Scooter]

the diff is in the firmware.  certain DDS drives can be made to read audio DAT's, but once that is done, they can't read data DDS anymore.  As far as the actual tape being DDS or DAT, I don't believe it matters to the drive (for audio use).  And yes, it is very time consuming and generally a PITA.

[charles]

+T's all around guys. Thanks for the help. I think I'll just look into an external soundcard. OR...and this might be the better alternative...I'll just make the switch to the JB3.

[Scooter]

I'll just make the switch to the JB3.

you won't be sorry