DAT Tape Conversion

[Ampig]

I recently came across a DAT tape recorded circa 90's from an originals band I was in at the time. I'm not sure if it's a master or unmixed raw tracks. I want to transfer it to digital (USB) but I can't find anyone local with a DAT machine. I know this service is available online, but there are a lot of choices and wildly varying prices. Any suggestions and/or insights would be appreciated.

 

[Tosh]

I've been there. Original songs recorded on DAT, and no working machine to play them.

I ended up going to a small studio, which I had worked at before. Cost me $120, but I was in the room, selecting the tracks, and monitoring on a killer set of Genelecs.

BTW there is no need to "convert" DAT format. Simply make a digital copy straight to a computer. If you need it converted later, use the computer. DAT is a PCM format similar to CD, except it's 48kHz rather than 44.1.

 

[tothemax]

Following on the OP's post with a tape question. While I realize that DAT is a digital format, it is still on magnetic tape (in a cassette style cartridge). Is there any type of maintenance required prior to processing older recorded tape. I've heard about the "baking" process that studios use for old master recordings. I recently found a number of band cassettes from the early 80's and am looking to convert them to CD (digital). Unlike the OP I still have a Sony cassette deck in good condition, just wondering if anything needs to be done before loading up the old cassettes for conversion.

 

[Ampig]

I ended up going to a small studio, which I had worked at before. Cost me $120, but I was in the room, selecting the tracks, and monitoring on a killer set of Genelecs.

Was that $120 just for the analog to digital transfer?

 

[AGCurry]

Was that $120 just for the analog to digital transfer?

DAT: Digital Audio Tape.
As noted above, DAT format is not analog ... therefore, no conversion to digital is needed. But you do have to have the right hardware to read the tape.

 

[Tosh]

Was that $120 just for the analog to digital transfer?

$120 for 2 hours of studio time at the mixing console. That was a 1/2 price deal, because I was a repeat customer.

No mixing required - this was a digital transfer directly to my laptop via S/PDIF link - but I was able monitor the recordings on a high-fidelity system.

After I had the original DAT files on my laptop, as a stereo track in Logic, I began the process of re-writing & re-recording on the laptop.

 

[Bob_Ross]

DAT is a PCM format similar to CD, except it's 48kHz rather than 44.1.

Captain Pedantic wants to point out that consumer DAT recordings are at 48kHz, but professional DAT recordings could be either 48kHz or 44.1kHz.
Of course, this is further complicated by the fact that many professional recording studios used consumer DAT machines

 

[Ampig]

......oh

 

[Tosh]

Captain Pedantic wants to point out that consumer DAT recordings are at 48kHz, but professional DAT recordings could be either 48kHz or 44.1kHz.
Of course, this is further complicated by the fact that many professional recording studios used consumer DAT machines

My thanks to the Captain - I had forgotten about the 44.1 option.

 

[Tosh]

Following on the OP's post with a tape question. While I realize that DAT is a digital format, it is still on magnetic tape (in a cassette style cartridge). Is there any type of maintenance required prior to processing older recorded tape. I've heard about the "baking" process that studios use for old master recordings. I recently found a number of band cassettes from the early 80's and am looking to convert them to CD (digital). Unlike the OP I still have a Sony cassette deck in good condition, just wondering if anything needs to be done before loading up the old cassettes for conversion.

fast-wind them on a bulk winder before putting them in the tape deck if you can.

You can't really bake cassettes, because the shell warps and/or separates