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#41
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recording disk / tape to cd via PC
HI Ben
Thanks for the comments Adrian Brentnall wrote in message . .. (snip) 1) There's still the original background noise on audio playback on this PC - but it doesn't appear on the final CD, so it's not a big worry. This noice was present with the original naff on-board sound - so I'm wondering how both sound systems can show the same problem...? Be sure to use good screened cable from the tapedeck to the PC and keep away from mains cable etc. This way you avoid picking up RF interference and 50hz mains interference. Yes - always a good plan. The current cable is ok - but coupld probably do with being 'properly' made (it's a botch of connectors at the moment - you probably know how it is g) However if you are only getting this noise thru the PC speakers while monitoring your input then switch all the other inputs on windows Volume control to off - especially MIC. You may also consider reinstalling the audio drivers. I had to do this once. And check your PC speakers - they could be picking up interference. especially if it is not affecting recording. Yes - just had one of those 'doh!' moments....... On an idle whim - tried plugging a pair of headphones direct into the output of the soundcard - odd - extraneous burbling noises gone away.... - plug the phones back into the jack on the front of the PC speakers - and the noise is back again. Just been out to the shed, and found a pair of rather nice mains-powered speakers - bodged another cable to connect them to the PC (can you see a pattern here ?? g) - and, lo and behold, the noise is gone. Just lovely clear, crisp, burble-free audio. It's those horrible USB-powered speakers that came with the PC !!!!! Can't decide now whether to a) Contact the PC manufacturer and tell him what rubbish his speakers are b) Just get on with the recording and enjoy the lovely sound c) Put the old speakers on the front drive and run the car over them a couple of times (would make me feel better ! g) 2) The (reasonably good Sansui D-90) cassette deck that I'm using to record from has buttons for bias equalisation and dolby. I'm currently recording with the dolby switched 'off'. Presumably with the dolby 'on' I'd hear a reduction in background hiss. One website I was advised against using the dolby NR in this situation - any comments / ideas ? Often, it comes down to having a bright but hissy signal with dolby off to a less hissy but duller sound with it on. Depends on the quality of the machine and tape used in recording. Were your tapes recorded in Dolby? often, I compromise - example -a normal bias tape recorded in Dolby but sounds a bit dull when played back in dolby -so keep dolby off but play it back with CrO2 setting to roll off the high end a bit. Had a play last night with the filtering in Audigy - discovered that it's got a wonderful 'noise' filter - so let it loose on the 'non-dolby' recording - cleaned it up a treat. Took about 8 minutes to 'clean' a full album - but the results are excellent - absolute silence between tracks. So - we have a system ! Personally I find tape transfers like this a nigthmare - beg, borrow or buy the music on cd or get on a P2P internet connection like e-Mule and try to find the original music this way for better quality. Agreed in principle. In practise, however, I have all of these tapes and vinyl - and would like to make use of them. Trouble is the 'new' car doesn't have a cassette player - so if I want my music on the move then it's got to find its way onto CD - but it now looks as if this goal is achievable. 3) The sound levels as shown on the decks own VU meters and the record level meters on the PC software show that the left channel is about 3db lower (on average) than the right channel. I don't have a calibrated set-up tape. When this deck came my way the heads were badly 'gunged' - and it took a couple of applications of head cleaner to clear them. Is this 'imbalance' more likely to be as a result of mechanical misalignment of the tape head - or of an electonic 'out-of-adjustment' inside the deck. The only sure way is to play the cassette you want to transfer in the sansui deck, with dolby off, and align the tapehead by gently turning the screw on its left with a non magnetic jewelers screwdriver till you get the clearest, sharpest sound. When you obtain optimal alignment, dub the tape to PC. It is painstaking but its the only way to get top results in reporduction, ie.. by matching the original alignment used in recording that tape. I think I may just leave well alone on the mechanical side, and correct the (slight) imbalance with the pan control on the line input. Don't really want to start taking the deck apart if I don't have to... So - many thanks - I think I have a result! Isn't it always the most obvious things that you look at last - you wouldn't think that I've been 'playing' with audio & electronics for the best part of 40 years......... Thanks all Adrian Suffolk UK |
#42
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recording disk / tape to cd via PC
HI Ben
Thanks for the comments Adrian Brentnall wrote in message . .. (snip) 1) There's still the original background noise on audio playback on this PC - but it doesn't appear on the final CD, so it's not a big worry. This noice was present with the original naff on-board sound - so I'm wondering how both sound systems can show the same problem...? Be sure to use good screened cable from the tapedeck to the PC and keep away from mains cable etc. This way you avoid picking up RF interference and 50hz mains interference. Yes - always a good plan. The current cable is ok - but coupld probably do with being 'properly' made (it's a botch of connectors at the moment - you probably know how it is g) However if you are only getting this noise thru the PC speakers while monitoring your input then switch all the other inputs on windows Volume control to off - especially MIC. You may also consider reinstalling the audio drivers. I had to do this once. And check your PC speakers - they could be picking up interference. especially if it is not affecting recording. Yes - just had one of those 'doh!' moments....... On an idle whim - tried plugging a pair of headphones direct into the output of the soundcard - odd - extraneous burbling noises gone away.... - plug the phones back into the jack on the front of the PC speakers - and the noise is back again. Just been out to the shed, and found a pair of rather nice mains-powered speakers - bodged another cable to connect them to the PC (can you see a pattern here ?? g) - and, lo and behold, the noise is gone. Just lovely clear, crisp, burble-free audio. It's those horrible USB-powered speakers that came with the PC !!!!! Can't decide now whether to a) Contact the PC manufacturer and tell him what rubbish his speakers are b) Just get on with the recording and enjoy the lovely sound c) Put the old speakers on the front drive and run the car over them a couple of times (would make me feel better ! g) 2) The (reasonably good Sansui D-90) cassette deck that I'm using to record from has buttons for bias equalisation and dolby. I'm currently recording with the dolby switched 'off'. Presumably with the dolby 'on' I'd hear a reduction in background hiss. One website I was advised against using the dolby NR in this situation - any comments / ideas ? Often, it comes down to having a bright but hissy signal with dolby off to a less hissy but duller sound with it on. Depends on the quality of the machine and tape used in recording. Were your tapes recorded in Dolby? often, I compromise - example -a normal bias tape recorded in Dolby but sounds a bit dull when played back in dolby -so keep dolby off but play it back with CrO2 setting to roll off the high end a bit. Had a play last night with the filtering in Audigy - discovered that it's got a wonderful 'noise' filter - so let it loose on the 'non-dolby' recording - cleaned it up a treat. Took about 8 minutes to 'clean' a full album - but the results are excellent - absolute silence between tracks. So - we have a system ! Personally I find tape transfers like this a nigthmare - beg, borrow or buy the music on cd or get on a P2P internet connection like e-Mule and try to find the original music this way for better quality. Agreed in principle. In practise, however, I have all of these tapes and vinyl - and would like to make use of them. Trouble is the 'new' car doesn't have a cassette player - so if I want my music on the move then it's got to find its way onto CD - but it now looks as if this goal is achievable. 3) The sound levels as shown on the decks own VU meters and the record level meters on the PC software show that the left channel is about 3db lower (on average) than the right channel. I don't have a calibrated set-up tape. When this deck came my way the heads were badly 'gunged' - and it took a couple of applications of head cleaner to clear them. Is this 'imbalance' more likely to be as a result of mechanical misalignment of the tape head - or of an electonic 'out-of-adjustment' inside the deck. The only sure way is to play the cassette you want to transfer in the sansui deck, with dolby off, and align the tapehead by gently turning the screw on its left with a non magnetic jewelers screwdriver till you get the clearest, sharpest sound. When you obtain optimal alignment, dub the tape to PC. It is painstaking but its the only way to get top results in reporduction, ie.. by matching the original alignment used in recording that tape. I think I may just leave well alone on the mechanical side, and correct the (slight) imbalance with the pan control on the line input. Don't really want to start taking the deck apart if I don't have to... So - many thanks - I think I have a result! Isn't it always the most obvious things that you look at last - you wouldn't think that I've been 'playing' with audio & electronics for the best part of 40 years......... Thanks all Adrian Suffolk UK |
#43
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recording disk / tape to cd via PC
HI Ben
Thanks for the comments Adrian Brentnall wrote in message . .. (snip) 1) There's still the original background noise on audio playback on this PC - but it doesn't appear on the final CD, so it's not a big worry. This noice was present with the original naff on-board sound - so I'm wondering how both sound systems can show the same problem...? Be sure to use good screened cable from the tapedeck to the PC and keep away from mains cable etc. This way you avoid picking up RF interference and 50hz mains interference. Yes - always a good plan. The current cable is ok - but coupld probably do with being 'properly' made (it's a botch of connectors at the moment - you probably know how it is g) However if you are only getting this noise thru the PC speakers while monitoring your input then switch all the other inputs on windows Volume control to off - especially MIC. You may also consider reinstalling the audio drivers. I had to do this once. And check your PC speakers - they could be picking up interference. especially if it is not affecting recording. Yes - just had one of those 'doh!' moments....... On an idle whim - tried plugging a pair of headphones direct into the output of the soundcard - odd - extraneous burbling noises gone away.... - plug the phones back into the jack on the front of the PC speakers - and the noise is back again. Just been out to the shed, and found a pair of rather nice mains-powered speakers - bodged another cable to connect them to the PC (can you see a pattern here ?? g) - and, lo and behold, the noise is gone. Just lovely clear, crisp, burble-free audio. It's those horrible USB-powered speakers that came with the PC !!!!! Can't decide now whether to a) Contact the PC manufacturer and tell him what rubbish his speakers are b) Just get on with the recording and enjoy the lovely sound c) Put the old speakers on the front drive and run the car over them a couple of times (would make me feel better ! g) 2) The (reasonably good Sansui D-90) cassette deck that I'm using to record from has buttons for bias equalisation and dolby. I'm currently recording with the dolby switched 'off'. Presumably with the dolby 'on' I'd hear a reduction in background hiss. One website I was advised against using the dolby NR in this situation - any comments / ideas ? Often, it comes down to having a bright but hissy signal with dolby off to a less hissy but duller sound with it on. Depends on the quality of the machine and tape used in recording. Were your tapes recorded in Dolby? often, I compromise - example -a normal bias tape recorded in Dolby but sounds a bit dull when played back in dolby -so keep dolby off but play it back with CrO2 setting to roll off the high end a bit. Had a play last night with the filtering in Audigy - discovered that it's got a wonderful 'noise' filter - so let it loose on the 'non-dolby' recording - cleaned it up a treat. Took about 8 minutes to 'clean' a full album - but the results are excellent - absolute silence between tracks. So - we have a system ! Personally I find tape transfers like this a nigthmare - beg, borrow or buy the music on cd or get on a P2P internet connection like e-Mule and try to find the original music this way for better quality. Agreed in principle. In practise, however, I have all of these tapes and vinyl - and would like to make use of them. Trouble is the 'new' car doesn't have a cassette player - so if I want my music on the move then it's got to find its way onto CD - but it now looks as if this goal is achievable. 3) The sound levels as shown on the decks own VU meters and the record level meters on the PC software show that the left channel is about 3db lower (on average) than the right channel. I don't have a calibrated set-up tape. When this deck came my way the heads were badly 'gunged' - and it took a couple of applications of head cleaner to clear them. Is this 'imbalance' more likely to be as a result of mechanical misalignment of the tape head - or of an electonic 'out-of-adjustment' inside the deck. The only sure way is to play the cassette you want to transfer in the sansui deck, with dolby off, and align the tapehead by gently turning the screw on its left with a non magnetic jewelers screwdriver till you get the clearest, sharpest sound. When you obtain optimal alignment, dub the tape to PC. It is painstaking but its the only way to get top results in reporduction, ie.. by matching the original alignment used in recording that tape. I think I may just leave well alone on the mechanical side, and correct the (slight) imbalance with the pan control on the line input. Don't really want to start taking the deck apart if I don't have to... So - many thanks - I think I have a result! Isn't it always the most obvious things that you look at last - you wouldn't think that I've been 'playing' with audio & electronics for the best part of 40 years......... Thanks all Adrian Suffolk UK |
#44
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recording disk / tape to cd via PC
"Adrian Brentnall" wrote in message
HI Amy Nope - the noise is present when the tape source is 'off' - also present when all mixer inputs are muted. Seems to be a constant (now)low-level burble - but additional noise occurs when the mouse is moved. Done all the 'usual' stuff about checking for conflicting interupts - but can't seem to get rid of it. Sounds like bus contention noise. Try turning off hardware acelleration in your video card. 2) The (reasonably good Sansui D-90) cassette deck that I'm using to record from has buttons for bias equalization and Dolby. I'm currently recording with the Dolby switched 'off'. Presumably with the Dolby 'on' I'd hear a reduction in background hiss. One website I was advised against using the Dolby NR in this situation - any comments / ideas ? If the tape was made with Dolby, you should probably play it back with Dolby. The website I saw suggested that it was better to run the tape output without dolby and then use software on the PC to clear up any tape noise - but don't know why that should me any better than applying dolby during replay at the tape deck...? It's worse, because Dolby requires a specific decoding scheme, if you want good frequency response. On a 'listening test', applying dolby to the replay cuts a fair amount of 'top' - would you expect that ? Yes, the top is boosted by Dolby processing during recording. That's one reason why it should be properly decoded. |
#45
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recording disk / tape to cd via PC
"Adrian Brentnall" wrote in message
HI Amy Nope - the noise is present when the tape source is 'off' - also present when all mixer inputs are muted. Seems to be a constant (now)low-level burble - but additional noise occurs when the mouse is moved. Done all the 'usual' stuff about checking for conflicting interupts - but can't seem to get rid of it. Sounds like bus contention noise. Try turning off hardware acelleration in your video card. 2) The (reasonably good Sansui D-90) cassette deck that I'm using to record from has buttons for bias equalization and Dolby. I'm currently recording with the Dolby switched 'off'. Presumably with the Dolby 'on' I'd hear a reduction in background hiss. One website I was advised against using the Dolby NR in this situation - any comments / ideas ? If the tape was made with Dolby, you should probably play it back with Dolby. The website I saw suggested that it was better to run the tape output without dolby and then use software on the PC to clear up any tape noise - but don't know why that should me any better than applying dolby during replay at the tape deck...? It's worse, because Dolby requires a specific decoding scheme, if you want good frequency response. On a 'listening test', applying dolby to the replay cuts a fair amount of 'top' - would you expect that ? Yes, the top is boosted by Dolby processing during recording. That's one reason why it should be properly decoded. |
#46
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recording disk / tape to cd via PC
"Adrian Brentnall" wrote in message
HI Amy Nope - the noise is present when the tape source is 'off' - also present when all mixer inputs are muted. Seems to be a constant (now)low-level burble - but additional noise occurs when the mouse is moved. Done all the 'usual' stuff about checking for conflicting interupts - but can't seem to get rid of it. Sounds like bus contention noise. Try turning off hardware acelleration in your video card. 2) The (reasonably good Sansui D-90) cassette deck that I'm using to record from has buttons for bias equalization and Dolby. I'm currently recording with the Dolby switched 'off'. Presumably with the Dolby 'on' I'd hear a reduction in background hiss. One website I was advised against using the Dolby NR in this situation - any comments / ideas ? If the tape was made with Dolby, you should probably play it back with Dolby. The website I saw suggested that it was better to run the tape output without dolby and then use software on the PC to clear up any tape noise - but don't know why that should me any better than applying dolby during replay at the tape deck...? It's worse, because Dolby requires a specific decoding scheme, if you want good frequency response. On a 'listening test', applying dolby to the replay cuts a fair amount of 'top' - would you expect that ? Yes, the top is boosted by Dolby processing during recording. That's one reason why it should be properly decoded. |
#47
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recording disk / tape to cd via PC
Adrian,
glad you managed to solve the problems with the speakers - its really satisfying when you discover such a simple and cheap solution (which is rare these days!) :-) Also that you managed to clean up the tapes too. So ...enjoy! Ben Adrian Brentnall wrote in message . .. HI Ben Thanks for the comments (snip) |
#48
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recording disk / tape to cd via PC
Adrian,
glad you managed to solve the problems with the speakers - its really satisfying when you discover such a simple and cheap solution (which is rare these days!) :-) Also that you managed to clean up the tapes too. So ...enjoy! Ben Adrian Brentnall wrote in message . .. HI Ben Thanks for the comments (snip) |
#49
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recording disk / tape to cd via PC
Adrian,
glad you managed to solve the problems with the speakers - its really satisfying when you discover such a simple and cheap solution (which is rare these days!) :-) Also that you managed to clean up the tapes too. So ...enjoy! Ben Adrian Brentnall wrote in message . .. HI Ben Thanks for the comments (snip) |
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