[sebhc] H8 tapes for Dave - archiving tapes?

[Lee Hart]

Jack Rubin wrote:
> 
> > >
> > >Input from anyone else on best practices for audio tape
> > archiving would
> > >be appreciated.
> >
> >
> > You can probably turn your .WAV files into a CD with any of
> > the home audio recording packages, and then play them out of
> > a CD deck. You can probably also play them straight out of a
> > computer, although you might need an older sound card with
> > built in amplifier (SB-16?) or use a small external amplifier
> > to get the levels required for the input to the tape interface.
> 
> Dave,
> 
> Sorry - I should have been more specific - I'm recording using PCM at
> 48KHz in 16 bit mono (I use Total Recorder). Is this the best choice for
> preservation in terms of lossless compression and common format?
> 
> Your point about playback amplification is interesting - how do I know
> or measure the "level" of the audio output? Can I scope the signal and
> measure amplitude? I guess I don't need to mention that I'm a pretty
> naïve audio guy.

As I recall, the cassette tape format isn't really audio at all. It is
basically a square wave, whose frequency is changed for the "1" and "0".
An ordinary UART (8251?) assembles these 1's and 0's into data.

So, using a .WAV file or other high quality audio recording technique is
going to be massive overkill. However, it also easy! :-)
-- 
"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the
world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has!" -- Margaret Meade
--
Lee A. Hart  814 8th Ave N  Sartell MN 56377  leeahart_at_earthlink.net


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