Date:         Thu, 10 Nov 2005 08:16:51 -0800
Reply-To:     [log in to unmask]
Sender:       Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
              <[log in to unmask]>
From:         Eric Jacobs <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: need audio cassette deck suggestions
Comments: To: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
In-Reply-To:  <[log in to unmask]>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=Windows-1252

Just a quick comment - azimuth is a really important adjustment
for sound quality on playback, whether the cassette was recorded
in a studio or on a kitchen table.  One might even argue that
budget tape recorders generally do not have precision aligned
tape paths, and azimuth can be an even more significant factor
on sound quality for budget recordings.

In fact, since azimuth primarily affects the high frequencies,
and intelligibility of spoken word recordings is often tied to
higher frequencies (especially if there's ambient noise on the
tape), a Nakamichi Dragon or CR-7A is quite appropriate for
budget field recordings.

Balancing budget versus quality, my recommendation would be to
use the cassette deck that fits your budget (it doesn't have to
be a Nak) for in-house transfer, and for those recordings where
there are sound quality issues, noise issues, or you just want
something a little better, outsource those cassettes to any of
the good folks on this list that provide Nak-based transfers.
Myself and others can certainly do this.

Another consideration.  If you in fact have a large collection,
the cost of a Nak amortized across hundreds of transfers becomes
a relatively small expense.  The penny wise pound foolish adage
might apply.

Finally, if you are still in a quandary over whether a Nak is
appropriate or not for your work, send a cassette to a transfer
specialist with a Nak, and then send that cassette to a transfer
specialist who uses something else.  Evaluate the results, and
determine for yourself whether the difference between the Nak
and another machine is worth the extra capital expenditure.

I guess my "quick comment" ended up being not so quick...

Eric Jacobs
The Audio Archive
mailto:[log in to unmask]
tel: 408.221.2128
fax: 408.549.9867


-----Original Message-----
From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Lou Judson
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 8:20 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] need audio cassette deck suggestions


Didn't mean to challenge uneccessarily, but they are talking about
radio program masters, not casual recordings done on a kitchen table.
That's all I meant - the quality they wish to maintain is up to their
budget and purposes.. I did discount your intent, though. I spent some
years way back using cassettes for original and broadcast masters on
low budget projects!

Pardon me.

Lou Judson • Intuitive Audio
415-883-2689

On Nov 9, 2005, at 4:29 PM, Tom Fine wrote:

> What "value judgements"? Note my original post with questions about the
> content, not assumptions. Note the response from the original
> questioner,
> indicating I was mostly right. As I said, one can sink an endless
> river of
> money into any audio "problem," but I like to advise my clients on
> cost-effective and common-sense options too, vs. money is no object. My
> clients seem to appreciate the honesty, and I also offer it for free
> to my
> online amigos, who of course may take it or leave it!
>
> -- Tom Fine
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Lou Judson" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 11:33 AM
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] need audio cassette deck suggestions
>
>
> I believe these are airchecks, or production masters, of radio
> broadcasts, good quality albeit cassette recordings. Be not so harsh to
> judge!
>
> I think they have seen the choices and will make their decision without
> the value judgements...
>
> <L>
>
> Lou Judson • Intuitive Audio
> 415-883-2689
>
> On Nov 9, 2005, at 3:58 AM, Tom Fine wrote:
>
>>  but mono voice recordings (probably made on a portable
>> live in a rally room if they are political speeches or on a meeting
>> room=
>