Tape to Computer?

John McConnell · Post by **John McConnell** » 21 Dec 2006 6:25 am

I have a four track recording I made of my band a few years ago and I would like to use the computer and the cakewalk program to mix it a little better. It was recorded on a Tascam 424 mkIII and has four channels of output. Any suggestions on a hardware deveice to transfer it to the computer.

John McConnell
Yuba City, CA
Sho-Bud Professional-Peavey Nashville 100

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 21 Dec 2006 7:39 am

You can connect the Tascan directly to the "Line In" on the PC. It has a high enough level for PC recording.

I used to have a Tascam and mixed down to the PC that way.

If you don't have a recording program for the Line In, do a google search for "Audacity" and download and install the free recording program.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 21 Dec 2006 11:07 am

Now, perhaps the 4 track unit has 4 output channels, corresponding to the 4 individual tracks of music stuff on the tape.

There is only a stereo input to the soundcard, that is, 2 channels in.

Can one record 2 channels worth of stuff in the first pass, then record the other two channels of stuff in a 2nd recording, then "slip & slide" them all together to syncronize them in a multichannel mixing/editing PC program? This would retain the individuality of the 4 recorded tracks on the tape...
Is this a possible scenario?[This message was edited by Ray Minich on 21 December 2006 at 12:28 PM.]

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 21 Dec 2006 12:39 pm

Not really without some more sophisticated recording software.

However, if you mix it down to the PC you can come out with two channels.

I used to mix the 4 channels down to two with the Tascam and at the same time record the two channels on the PC.

Bryan Daste · Post by **Bryan Daste** » 21 Dec 2006 1:58 pm

You could transfer 4 tracks in 2 passes (2 tracks at a time), but sync might be a problem. What I would do (if possible) is record a short tone on all 4 tracks at the beginning of the tape, before the program starts. Some tape machines have a tone generator; you can just put all 4 tracks in record and roll tape for a second or less. Then when you have all your tracks on the computer, you can line the tone up visually. Try it!

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 21 Dec 2006 2:10 pm

M audio has a 4 in interface that would work perfectly for your purpose. here's a link:

wrong link, see next post [This message was edited by Jim Peters on 21 December 2006 at 04:39 PM.]

Bryan Daste · Post by **Bryan Daste** » 21 Dec 2006 3:24 pm

Jim, it looks like that M-Audio interface only has 2 analog ins - the other 2 are digital (SPDIF), which won't help in this case. John, I forgot to ask, what kind of interface do you have now? Are you going straight in to your computer's soundcard?

As a side note, I live in Portland, but I'm visiting my wife's family in Chico, CA, right now...not far from Yuba City! I'll be in Yuba on the 24th. Small world.

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Sierra "HJ Custom" D-10, Peavey Session 500, Goodrich L10k, Line 6 DL4, Boyett's Glass Bar

John McConnell · Post by **John McConnell** » 21 Dec 2006 4:10 pm

Right now I do not have any interface. I just am at the stage of looking at my computer and then looking at my tape deck and wondering if there is a way to get them together. I have seen an interface called Aardvaark. Does anyone have expierience with these? John

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 21 Dec 2006 4:38 pm

Oops, wrong product-try this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/MAudio-Delta-44-Digital-Recording-System?sku=701346

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 21 Dec 2006 4:46 pm

John:A few posts down is a $30.00 behringer audio interface that might do the trick,it goes into a USB port,you can only record 2 tracks at a time so as Bryan said you would have to do it in two passes.I have one it works great,and you don't need to install any drivers.Stu

Chuck Fisher · Post by **Chuck Fisher** » 21 Dec 2006 5:10 pm

1. The Aardvark stuff is first rate, I have the directpro 24/96,, very well sheided, great stuff. The drivers are working on xp pro sp2. low-z, hi-z , builtin dsp fx can be recorded or just used for headphone mix.

2. aardvark was out of busness last tim i checked, so no support.

googling yielded http://www.petitiononline.com/aardvark/petition.html

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 21 Dec 2006 10:15 pm

If you have only two inputs and 4 tracks to record,
one workaround is to put a single note
like a snare hit or simple synth note
on all 4 tracks,
then record two and two again with this reference to time.

Before or after the song is fine.
Where ever you have space to not erase program music.

After it is digitised, you can go to that
single multi track reference to time,

look at this note at highest resolution
and slide the 2nd two tracks into time with the 1st two.

As long as no changes were made in the digitising freq between recordings,

and the time reference tone was record
on ALL tracks at the same time,

it will line up perfectly.

I do this regularly if needed.

If you try and record a whole album after the tone like this,
you might have tape machine speed variations to deal with,
but one or even two songs in a row would not be a problem.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 21 December 2006 at 10:18 PM.]

John McConnell · Post by **John McConnell** » 22 Dec 2006 6:30 am

Thanks to everyone for their input. I now have some ideas. I really appreciate everyone taking time to reply and sahring their expertise. Boy how I love this forum. Happy Holidays to you all and I will post my results after I get going on this project. The original tape is really pretty good except that our Tenor Sax man has a problem in that when he ois not playing, he is talking. The band is one without steel or any guitars. I am playing stanup bass and the line up is Keyboard, Sax Bass and Drums. It was a great little band but we all got too old. Thanks again and Merry Christmas to you all. John

Craig Stenseth · Post by **Craig Stenseth** » 22 Dec 2006 7:30 am

I don't think you're going to get the results you want by making 2 passes with the tape, 2 tracks at a time. If possible, run 2 of the tracks into one computer's line input, and the other 2 tracks into the line input of a 2nd computer. Then copy the (stereo) file onto the first computer, and combine (using Audacity or some other program). Tapes have too much wow and flutter to play something the same way twice (i.e. sounds okay until you try to line it up with the other parts of the same recording).

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 23 Dec 2006 1:54 am

Craig,
that's why I said leave the recorded time short,
not the whole tape.
Wow and flutter will be there anyway.
usually on the tape at the same spot,
it is time slippage that is the main issue with this.

Remember this is a work-around if you can't afford a 4 channel interface,
or have no access to one.

If it is done for one song,
and quickly do the other,
there should not be an exorbitant amount
of time difference. 10 minutes is typically the max.
But that depends on tyhe tape machines

If he can afford two computers
and the same program and another interface...
he can afford to buy a 4 input interface...

Maybe gets questionable for multitrack cassette tapes,
but a reel to reel that is not on deaths door,
will do this ok.

I have done it many times.

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 23 Dec 2006 7:26 am

John,
The Lexicon Omega set up will also solve your problem. You can record 4 tracks at once and
remix them with the Cubase LE software that comes with it. It also includes Lexicon Pantheon reverb if you want to add some.

Randy Cordle · Post by **Randy Cordle** » 24 Dec 2006 3:40 pm

Hi, John.
Yes, You can do two tracks at a time ,although not ideal due to the "wow" that invariably results in your transferred tracks ending up having different lengths. Follow the instructions given for adding a visual clue to all of the tracks so you can time align them in your software. A "click" at the end of the track is also useful, but not necessary. I've done this a few times and use a "clicker" purchased at any pet supply store. It's used for training dogs. It produces a nice "spike" on the waveform so you can easily slip the tracks into alignment. If one pair is shorter than the other pair you can use a time stretching function (often a function of the audio editing program) to perfectly adjust the track length. This will automatically speed up or slow down the track to match the other track pair pitch. It will be only a microtonal amount, but if they are not matched you'll end up with phasing effects that won't be pretty. Good luck!

Gary Shepherd · Post by **Gary Shepherd** » 25 Dec 2006 5:08 pm

John, if you want to send me the tape and your 4 track player, I can record it to Sonar (wave files) for you and send it back.

With only 2 inputs on your sound card, your options are limited. Either record all for tracks in 2 passes (in which case you can have tape sync issues) or record all four tracks in one pass but you'll end up with less mixing ability later.

My system has 24 ins/outs so 4 tracks would be no problem here.

Of course, it would probably be cheaper (shipping charges) to try two passes on your system first. You might still be able to get the 4 tracks to line up right.

If you need help, send me an email.

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Gary Shepherd

Carter D-10

www.16tracks.com