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Multitrack capture


Roderick

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I have been asked to transfer a 1/2" 8-track tape to a file for use in Protools or similar, they are a little vague about the actual software.

I am set-up to digitise video with up to 4 audio tracks.

What hardware do I need to capture multi-track tapes?

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You'll need a sound card with 8 line level inputs and a suitable, properly set up tape machine. If you don't have the tape machine it will probably be cheaper to send it to a commercial tape transfer service who will have all the various formats in house. A quick google found these guys in Sydney Studios 301
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You also need to know what it was recorded on (semi-pro, e.g.Teac, Fostex, or studio, e.g Studer**?) as the track-widths may vary (could affect S:N & cross-talk), speed (15, 7.5 or even 3-3/4 ips?), Dolby (A, B, C or none, or some other form of companding?) & also when/where it was recorded (which might give a clue to the other questions). If you can find out all this there may be someone in your area with an old 8-track covered in dust, or you might find the appropriate machine on ebay at giveaway prices (in the UK you can't even give them away any more!)

 

However - if it is Ampex tape the binder may have turned into glue, in which case you will either have to get the tape professionally "baked" or just bin it.

 

** Forget Studer; I doubt if they made 1/2" 8-tracks.

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

OK, getting closer.

Using my Fostex D824 as a A/D interface I now have ADAT coming out.

My AJA Io recognises the feed but I can't get FCP to recognise the ADAT feed. No problems with AES/EBU or analog but that is only 4 channels and I need all 8 tracks at the same time.

 

I am determined to make this work, suggestions welcome.

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The risk with doing 4 tracks at a time is that over 30 minutes there is a risk of slight variations.

 

I have all 8 channels at the AJA Io but can't get FCP to see the ADAT input on the AJA.

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I'd transfer it four tracks as a time, and, as they say, sync it in post.

 

Not on 96KHz are you? 96KHz over ADAT is four channel through some strange multiplexing magic...

 

Trying to sync from an analogue tape can be a real pain. It tends not to be a steady drift but, rather, to vary one way and another over time. I sure wouldn't want to work that way (based on experience trying it). BTW, dbuckley is right...if you're at 96kHz that could be why you only get 4 ADAT channels...and there won't be any increase in quality over 48kHz which is the video standard anyway.

 

The risk with doing 4 tracks at a time is that over 30 minutes there is a risk of slight variations.

 

I have all 8 channels at the AJA Io but can't get FCP to see the ADAT input on the AJA.

 

I'm not an FCP user but, since you're only transferring audio anyway, why not just dub it into pretty well any audio DAW software that CAN do 8 tracks at a time. FCP should be able to import stand alone audio tracks so long as you save in an appropriate format. If you don't have a suitable DAW, most of them offer 28 day trials that should be enough for your transfers. FYI, I use Adobe Audition which has the 28 day trial but I know most other DAWs do the same.

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Final cut 7 will import at least 16 tracks as at one point my studio used a blackmagic card to import video but FireWire connected to an onyx Macklie16. Ch desk.The audio was automatically spreD over 16 ch representing the desk inputs.
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Final cut 7 will import at least 16 tracks as at one point my studio used a blackmagic card to import video but FireWire connected to an onyx Macklie16. Ch desk.The audio was automatically spreD over 16 ch representing the desk inputs.

The problem I have, using FCP 5, is that the ADAT input isn't on the option list in Capture settings.

Any advice on how I can rectify that?

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Is this Windows or Mac?

 

If its Windows, then there are several ways that sound cards can communicate with software, and things don't necessarily work with each other. In other words, it might not be supposed to be able to work!

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I've been thinking the same thing - pull the audio into a an actual DAW like Reaper, Cubase, ProTools et al.

 

I know there's arguably some significant crossover in both the production and workflow between video and audio worlds, but really; audio *is* a different beast and has a whole lot of issues and workflows surrounding it that simply don't apply to video, and vice-versa. Tools for the job, and all that.

 

And btw, Reaper isn't "free", nor should it be considered such. Use it for evaluation purposes, sure. Did it work? Then really, pay the guy his license fee. You get a lot for your dough, and as far as I can see, he's doing much the same thing in his world as we do. And doing it very, very well.

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Just a quick update, it is all working now!

 

The process:

Tascam 38 ->(analogue)-> Fostex D824 -> (ADAT) -> AJA Io -> (Firewire800) -> Mac G5 & Reaper.

Maybe not the most elegant way of doing it but these were things I had sitting around, except for the Reaper licence which is well worth the money!

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