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Converting cassette tape to digital

Posted by Lisa O'Neill on February 7, 2018 at 12:17pm

Hi, has anyone converted cassette tapes to digital?

I purchased a small portable USB cassette capture, but the quality of the device and sound is terrible.

I am currently looking at the ION Audio Tape 2 PC device https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VG802I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Has anyone tried this device?

Kind regards,

Lisa O'Neill

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Replies

  • Rosalind Malone February 28, 2018 at 5:49pm

    Hi Glen,

    I would like to ask on behalf of our volunteers, some of whom have museum backgrounds, what are the benefits that you see to keeping the original tapes once their content has been migrated to digital media?

    Kind regards,

    Ros Malone

  • Glen Turnbull February 12, 2018 at 5:33pm

    Yes converting casette tape to digital is a must. Casette tapes from the 1970s and 1980s will soon expire in the coming years. Try converting them to digital using that equipment and see what you think. I converted lots of LP records and cassettes of old school plays, concerts and assemblies. It is well worth it, but remember to keep the original tapes anyway.

    Regards

    Glen Turnbull

    School Archivist

  • Robert Angell February 8, 2018 at 10:22am

    Hi Lisa

    I am with FATS Digital.

    We specialise in migrating analogue audio and video to digital files to any required specification.

    The units you are describing are really only for domestic applications with poor A to D conversion (hence the terrible sound) and priced accordingly. (File output is MP3)

    Transferring the content is only a tiny part of the process. We typically repair, clean and dehydrate many tapes prior to ingest and normally make compliant broadcast archive file (in addition to compressed MP3 versions)

    If you want to consider an outsource model feel free to contact us. Happy to help in any way (Even if you want to do it yourself)

    Regards

    Rob Angell

    Ph 02 9417 8666

  • Lynette Shum February 8, 2018 at 7:40am

    Hi Lisa,

    I would urge you to think of keeping in mind creating a higher-quality preservation copy of the recordings, rather than just MP3s.

    For guidance, please look at https://natlib.govt.nz/collections/caring-for-your-collections/heri...

    Following the recommended international guidelines, the equipment you are looking at would not be appropriate.  You are welcome to contact me offline

    Regards

    Lynette

    Lynette Shum | Oral History Adviser | Outreach Services

    Alexander Turnbull Library | National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa

    Direct Dial: +64 4 462 3977  |  Email: lynette.shum@dia.govt.nz

    Molesworth Street | PO Box 12349, Wellington 6011, New Zealand | www.natlib.govt.nz

    The Alexander Turnbull Library is part of the Department of Internal Affairs

     

    Digitisation of heritage audio collections
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  • Aaron Richardson February 7, 2018 at 1:45pm

    Hi Lisa,

    What was the "small capture device" you purchased?

    I have three different set ups for converting cassette tapes if you would like to discuss what it is you are capturing, the file types you desire and the quality of the original productions etc....

    Sincerely

    Aaron Richardson

    Email: aaronrichardson73@hotmail.com

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