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Digitizing: Difference between revisions
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Digitizing tapes is fairly straight forward, and doesn't require any specialized equipment. Before starting you should '''inspect your tape for mold, sticky shed and any other issues''' that could lead to the tape being damaged during playback. A detailed inspection process can be found [[I Found A Tape#Inspecting the tape|here]]. | Digitizing tapes is fairly straight forward, and doesn't require any specialized equipment. Before starting you should '''inspect your tape for mold, sticky shed and any other issues''' that could lead to the tape being damaged during playback. A detailed inspection process can be found [[I Found A Tape#Inspecting the tape|here]]. | ||
In addition, you should inspect the condition of your ''player'' before playing any tapes of value. Check the inside of your player (where the tape goes) and make sure it's free of dust and make sure all the belts in the player are tight, not sticky and | In addition, you should inspect the condition of your ''player'' before playing any tapes of value. Check the inside of your player (where the tape goes) and make sure it's free of dust and make sure all the belts in the player are tight, not sticky and degraded. Also make sure the [[wikipedia:Tape_transport|tape transport]] mechanism is intact and the pinch roller is not sticky, cracked or chipped. | ||
Even if everything looks good, it's worth doing a test run with a blank (or worthless) cassette, just to make sure it doesn't get '''chewed''' or mangled because of faulty tape transport. You don't need to do this before every digitization, but you definitely should for your first time using the player. | Even if everything looks good, it's worth doing a test run with a blank (or worthless) cassette, just to make sure it doesn't get '''chewed''' or mangled because of faulty tape transport. You don't need to do this before every digitization, but you definitely should for your first time using the player. | ||
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==== RCA connectors ==== | ==== RCA connectors ==== | ||
[[File:RCAcables.svg.png | [[File:RCAcables.svg.png|thumb|183x183px|Illustration of Male and Female RCA connectors.]] | ||
RCA connectors are those old, red and white connectors seen on the back of old tech appliances such as CRTs, VCRs, and gaming consoles. They are usually paired with a yellow connector, but decks do not have this since the yellow connector is solely for video output. This is the outlet you will see the most as all cassette decks new and old have these on the back of the unit. The only players that do not have this option are portable players (i.e. Walkmans, Nikola Tesla KC-18, Crosley boomboxes) and some combo units. On some decks, the female connectors aren't color-coded so just keep in mind that white corresponds to the left channel and red corresponds to the right channel. | RCA connectors are those old, red and white connectors seen on the back of old tech appliances such as CRTs, VCRs, and gaming consoles. They are usually paired with a yellow connector, but decks do not have this since the yellow connector is solely for video output. This is the outlet you will see the most as all cassette decks new and old have these on the back of the unit. The only players that do not have this option are portable players (i.e. Walkmans, Nikola Tesla KC-18, Crosley boomboxes) and some combo units. On some decks, the female connectors aren't color-coded so just keep in mind that white corresponds to the left channel and red corresponds to the right channel.[[File:TS+TRSCables.png|thumb|Different types of phone connectors.|left|349x349px]] | ||
==== Phone connectors ==== | ==== Phone connectors ==== | ||
Other than RCA output, a cassette deck also has another output method: '''Phone connectors'''. | Other than RCA output, a cassette deck also has another output method: '''Phone connectors'''. | ||
Ever wondered what those abnormally large headphone ports are for? Those are for a special phone connectors | Ever wondered what those abnormally large headphone ports are for? Those are for a special phone connectors: TRS and/or TS. These connectors are about a quarter-inch thick and are older than the RCA connectors. In a time before the 3.5mm format, these were used for headphones. | ||
===== TS (Tip, Sleeve) ===== | ===== TS (Tip, Sleeve) ===== | ||
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==== 3.5mm connector (1⁄8 in. TRS) ==== | ==== 3.5mm connector (1⁄8 in. TRS) ==== | ||
These are the most common form of a TRS cable. While these need an adapter in order to be used on a deck, these are used on computers, phones, tablets, and all sorts of modern tech. We use this format in order to record audio on a computer. | These are the most common form of a TRS cable and what most people are familiar with. While these need an adapter in order to be used on a deck, these are used on computers, phones, tablets, and all sorts of modern tech. We will use this format in order to record audio on a computer. It is ideally the most convenient option as the only things you would need for digitizing by this method are a long distance auxiliary cable (a.k.a. an aux cable) and a quarter-inch adapter. TRRS variants of this connector exist, but is not used for the digitizing process as the extra ring is for a headset microphone. | ||
'''BEWARE:''' '''Most microphone jacks''' on computers '''will record in mono''', especially if they're combo jacks (that carry mic and headphone over one cable). To record '''proper stereo''', you'll need to use the '''LINE IN''' jack (usually on the back of your PC) or buy a small '''USB soundcard''' with stereo recording if you only have a laptop. Another option is to use an '''audio interface''' for recording, but they're more expensive and more advanced. | '''BEWARE:''' '''Most microphone jacks''' on computers '''will record in mono''', especially if they're combo jacks (that carry mic and headphone over one cable). To record '''proper stereo''', you'll need to use the '''LINE IN''' jack (usually on the back of your PC) or buy a small '''USB soundcard''' with stereo recording if you only have a laptop. Another option is to use an '''audio interface''' for recording, but they're more expensive and more advanced. | ||
