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Digitize DAT tapes into FCP
I saw the other 2 threads on this subject but I’m working with an audio board of sorts as well.
So I have my Tascam DAT DA-P1 deck, with my 20 DAT tapes and I’m wondering exactly where (and what cables) I should connect into my Mackie 1202-VLZ PRO to lay it off using the VO Tool in FCP7? I usually do VO’s by plugging in my MIC’s XLR into my MIC4 input on the audio board and it connects brilliantly. BUT it looks as though I only have female XLR plugs on my DAT machine and female XLR plugs on my Mackie so it won’t connect via XLR. I do have red/white tipped cables as well and tried plugging those in but I don’t think I have them in the right places.
I have a lot of cables but am seriously audio-challenged and would LOVE any input or specific direction I could get.
Thanks!
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4 Replies
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I’m not the best with audio either but can you use male 1/4″ balanced plugs? Or maybe there’s a male XLR out from the DAT to a male 1/4″ plug and run that into an open input on the mackie.
OS 10.6.3, Mac Pro 2 x 2.66 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 16 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card
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The normal way to capture any tape format is via Log & Transfer. I presume your Tascam doesn’t have timecode and 9 pin machine control, so you change the settings to uncontrolled device.
If you have a capture card, either the analog or digital output of the DAT machine connect to the card. If digital, then the card needs to either sample rate convert or lock to the digital signal.
An alternative would be to use Sound Track Pro or any other audio software that is compatible with your Mackie to capture the audio.
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Do you mean log and capture? And I’ve tried to do that but with no video feed, it doesn’t work.
Not sure what a capture card is, I don’t think I have one.
Not sure how to use soundtrack pro but I’m trying to get the hang of it diy.
So I ended up using a white/red, I believe 1/4″, in the Digital L/R output of the DAT machine and 1 thicker, 3/4″??, in the INPUT on my Mackie. I get an audio stream on my VO tool in FCP so I’m logging that now. Its real time though and I have 18 tapes….ugh!
Really, I wanted an audio layoff that would give me 2-4 channels so I could work with what they recorded. BUT 1, I’m not sure they even recorded in more than 1 channel and 2, isn’t it impossible to split it if they only recorded originally in 1 channel?
Btw, the audio is horrendous…not sure why this is the stuff they want, def. going to have to VO all of it.
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[Bree McCool] “Do you mean log and capture”
Yes sorry. I am using L&T mostly these days.
There are lots of software programs that will let you capture just audio and both channels discreetly from the DAT. By capturing via the VO tool, you are either getting just one channel or a mix. Not a good result.
Digital signals are via a single connector. The spec sheet on the DAT says it has SPDIF out via a coax (sometimes called phono or RCA) connector. Your Mackie has no inputs for digital signals so is not really any use.
Macs have optical digital inputs so unless you have a converter from SPDIF to optical you have to go into the Mac via the analog outputs of the DAT.
Audacity make a Mac version of their free software which should allow you to record the input signals from the DAT to the Mac inputs.
https://audacity.sourceforge.net/
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