A Daunting Task....

[fathom]

I have a whole box of tapes to record and convert to mp3. I'm planning on running the tape deck through a dj mixer then into audacity. Once I have the levels right going into audacity and after it is recorded, what other processing should I or shouldn't use? I'm thinking no compression, maybe eq, but I can eq on the mixer. Maybe normalize? Or just make sure the levels are good and just leave it.

[Euclid Ov Oåklånd]

That sounds like a solid approach to converting your tapes to digital files.
What is the end use for this stuff, are you going to sample it or are you archiving it?

[timmytoga]

I would just normalize it and leave it. I would also make sure that the level leaving the tape deck is optimal and isn't causing any distortion.

[fathom]

I'm going to be converting the tapes for a friend of mine. I'm kinda excited about it because, there is a lot of 80's and 90's hip hop. But , also there is a bunch of tapes he recorded off radio stations. I know there are a lot of old dj clue, kid capri, and funk flex mix tapes from the radio in there,(when they were playing stuff like illmatic, enta da stage, etc). There is also a bunch of single tapes , you know were they would release one track on it then have the instrumental, acapella, and maybe like a dub version. So, I'm sure there are going to be a ton of stuff to sample, especially off the radio recorded tapes. I'm not so worried about the levels coming out of the decks. I just want to keep them sounding like the tapes and try not to process them to much.

[hseiken]

Normalize, EQ, done.

Only use compression for taste. Otherwise, leave it alone.

I've got an assload of tapes I need to record myself...

[hseiken]

Also, try to play back the tapes through a dolby recommended for the recording. HXPro dolby playback would be best for all circumstances, though.

[fathom]

I agree with the eq, but the normalization I'm to to sure. I say that because, I was thinking of running the input of the channel on the mixer from the tape a little in the red. Then just watch the levels in audacity, if things get out of control I can just turn down the volume with the master volume on the mixer. So I guess the next question would be, is it better to keep the levels little low or try and keep the levels as close as possible 0 db? I think if low then use normalization. If louder then no normalization.

[formal]

Normalize, EQ, done.

Only use compression for taste. Otherwise, leave it alone.

I've got an assload of tapes I need to record myself...

Got some junk in your trunk, eh? How many tapes does it take to be considered an ass load?

[hseiken]

Well, in this case, assload is approximately 250. But this is only in tape-scale. In, for instance, record-scale, 250 may not be an assload and 1000 would. It's always a mystery until you find that point where you know for sure...that you have...AN ASS LOAD.

[fathom]

I have about a printer paper box full of tapes to convert, and I think my friend has at least another 2 more printer paper boxes full he wants to convert also.

[skinny.b]

Well, in this case, assload is approximately 250. But this is only in tape-scale. In, for instance, record-scale, 250 may not be an assload and 1000 would. It's always a mystery until you find that point where you know for sure...that you have...AN ASS LOAD.

Ha ha! In a movie called blue juice they're talking about 'fuck off big' waves, they define a fuck off as about ten full ons! Gotta love an accurate measurement system!