UA5 (wmod)>PC, is USB OK for tape transfers?

[sunjan]

Hi all,

I have a UA-5 Oade wmod (no plus), that I want to use for analog tape transfer to computer. Hopefully it can provide a 24/48 signal?

Is the kosher way to do this: cassette deck >RCA cables> UA-5 > USB > computer.
Or are there any issues using USB out?

Or instead, should I go cassette deck >RCA cables> UA-5 > optical out > Zoltrix soundcard> computer?
My gut instinct is that the soundcard potentially will introduce more noise and it's better to go USB. Is that correct?

/J

[run_run_run]

Well the sound card is taking the signal digital, so I am pretty sure noise won't be an issue.

[willndmb]

the tapes are not 24/48 correct?
i don't think you can't upsample them and have it sound better can you

[Kyle]

does the soundcard resample the SPDiF input? If it does not, you should be fine. If it does resample and you are not concerned about that, use the SPDiF in. The USB input should be solid as well. When I transfer cassettes the path is Nakamichi BX100 > RCA->XLR cable > MiniMe/Sonic AD2K+ (depending on mood) > Tascam HD-P2. However, I have done quite a bit of recording going source > MiniMe > USB > PC and it has worked without a hitch.

I like to transfer to a dedicated recorder and then dump the files to a PC but either of your methods will work fine. Transfer on!

[TNJazz]

USB is fine for 2 channel audio.  It's more than enough bandwidth so need to bother with the optical path.  Just go UA-5 in, USB out.

[EarlyMorningRain]

Just go UA-5 in, USB out.

this is in real time, correct? In which you would still need to capture the signal into your preferred audio editing program on your computer (for me that would be Sound Forge)??

[twatts]

Hi all,

I have a UA-5 Oade wmod (no plus), that I want to use for analog tape transfer to computer. Hopefully it can provide a 24/48 signal?

Is the kosher way to do this: cassette deck >RCA cables> UA-5 > USB > computer.
Or are there any issues using USB out?

Or instead, should I go cassette deck >RCA cables> UA-5 > optical out > Zoltrix soundcard> computer?
My gut instinct is that the soundcard potentially will introduce more noise and it's better to go USB. Is that correct?

/J

I could never get the USB to work right w/ my POS PC...  So instead, I did Cass>RCA>UA5>Opt>JB3 with great results...

I had a WMod+, the + did some improvements on the RCA inputs...  YMMV on the non+...

Terry

[sunjan]

this is in real time, correct? In which you would still need to capture the signal into your preferred audio editing program on your computer (for me that would be Sound Forge)??

Exactly. Would some editing software have a problem picking up the signal from USB, or are they all fine? I'd need to install the Edirol drivers, but it's not a big deal, right? Until now I never ran the UA-5 connected to the PC, just standalone.

the tapes are not 24/48 correct?
i don't think you can't upsample them and have it sound better can you

Sorry guys, I guess I forgot to mention that we're talking about old school cassettes, which means they are in the analog realm. I've been following the long and heated debates here on TS wheter there's any point transferring analog in 24 bit, but let's not go there. Both sides have their contenders, and I've made up my mind.

When I transfer cassettes the path is Nakamichi BX100 > RCA->XLR cable > MiniMe/Sonic AD2K+ (depending on mood) > Tascam HD-P2. However, I have done quite a bit of recording going source > MiniMe > USB > PC and it has worked without a hitch.

I like to transfer to a dedicated recorder and then dump the files to a PC but either of your methods will work fine.

Well, I have both H1xx and JB3 as bit buckets, but they're only 16bit. My idea was to make use of the full bit depth of the UA5 by recording straight to PC. But maybe the advantages of dumping the digital signal to a standalone recorder outweighs that?

[rsimms3]

If you install the drivers, any PC should be able to record from your UA5 in 24 bit.  I think I had to do some reinstalling/tweeking to get it to work right in Audition. 

[TNJazz]

Sorry guys, I guess I forgot to mention that we're talking about old school cassettes, which means they are in the analog realm. I've been following the long and heated debates here on TS wheter there's any point transferring analog in 24 bit, but let's not go there. Both sides have their contenders, and I've made up my mind.

Analog cassettes should be transferred at 24 bits if possible, particularly if you are going to do any editing later on down the road.

Well, I have both H1xx and JB3 as bit buckets, but they're only 16bit. My idea was to make use of the full bit depth of the UA5 by recording straight to PC. But maybe the advantages of dumping the digital signal to a standalone recorder outweighs that?

No it doesn't, unless the recorder is 24 bit capable.