DAT-Heads Digest #123

Contents:

Need info: Audio Alchemy DAC In The Box and Digital Decoding Engine (Dave) Mitsubishi DDS and CD-R (Masaya Tanaka) Rat-Shack PZM ("cougercat") Nassau GA's please. (Vato71) An apology (pkmin@rsc.rockwell.com) Preamp Stage: M1/D100 (Yalk) no particular place to go (Boxcephus) whistling (Ian Dew) Mic question? (Sonic Studio DSM-6) (SnowRide) earplugs? (Vic) earplugs, part 2 (Vic) This made me laugh (pkmin@rsc.rockwell.com) I would LOVE to buy you tix & blank for Michelle Shocked (Theo Forbath) dat-heads (Bob Ramstad) RE: Philips CDR-870 (American-Digital) Also, got lot's of rare Michelle Shocked to trade! (Theo Forbath) RE: R300 problems (Eric Reichenbach) Stealthing with Neumann KM184? (Tom Doub) SP/LP switch problem (Paul Adams) *Groan* Another D7 Problem... (Kristofor Schuett) Re: Just Say No To Sharpies (Dan Shoop) BUCK meets LINK! (TRANEHEAD) tascam da 30 2 ("Blah.Blah....") The holes on the cartridge (Anders Johansson) Tree Structure -- Dead Amsterdam 10/81 ("Cliff Bergman") Bad, bad maxells ("Cliff Bergman") PCM-M1 and SCMS ("Lutch, James JJ") =?iso-8859-1?Q?Re:_Quick_question_regarding=A0_DAT>>Analog?= ("Jack R. Lebowitz") RE: R300 self-cleaning (revisited) (Eric Reichenbach) Phil tape for tree (Building Dept)
From: Dave <scarletfire@erols.com> Subject: Need info: Audio Alchemy DAC In The Box and Digital Decoding Engine Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 01:12:11 -0500 Greetings: I have a chance to get a great deal on either a new Audio Alchemy DAC In The Box or their Digital Decoding Engine v1.1 (with PS3). Has anyone had any experience with either of these units? Good? Bad? Is the DDE really a lot better than the DITB? Are they worth it as far as being much better than the DAC that's in your DAT deck already? I have a Sony consumer deck and a Fostex D-5 and I'm not sure if it would make much of a difference. I use my decks to trade concert tapes of the good 'ole Grateful Dead. Is there really a startling difference in the sound quality? Are we splitting hairs here? (Like cars, stereo speakers or just about anything, past a certain point you can spend 4 times as much to get something that might be only 10% better.) I would really appreciate any responces from folks who have used either or both of these devices and made a direct comparison to the regular DAC in their decks. Thanks much, Dave Sorochty
From: Masaya Tanaka <les@todo.csl.ntt.co.jp> Subject: Mitsubishi DDS and CD-R Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 15:26:39 +0900 (JST) Hi all. Could you give me your advice please? - Are Mitsubishi DDS tapes (DDS2) OK for trades? - Are Mitsubishi CD-Rs OK for trades? I would like to know above 2 are OK or not, so please let me know your experience or Mitsubishi OEM information, etc. Background... :-) Here in Japan, - An audio grade DAT costs from $2 to $4 - An analog tape, Maxell XL-IIS costs from $3 to $4 - A DDS costs from $10 to $20 So when I was asked to use DDSs for trades, I could not use them. Recently I found a shop where I can buy Mistsubishi DDS/CD-R cheaper. Then if they are OK, I can use DDSs. Any helps are appreciated. Thank you in advance. --- Masaya les@todo.csl.ntt.co.jp http://todo.csl.ecl.net:10080/~les/pat's_delight.html (last update: Tape list(03/03),Questions&Survey(2/12))
From: "cougercat" <cougercat@foxinternet.net> Subject: Rat-Shack PZM Reply-To: <cougercat@foxinternet.net> Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 00:02:49 -0800 Rat-Shack in Vancouver BC is running a special on the Optimus P/N 33-3020 PZM mike for $69.00 CDN. It is a deal if you pay in USD as it puts it around $42.00 USD. Are there any mods that can be performed on these mikes to improve the characteristics of the mike? Are these mikes of the same specs. as Rat-Shack's original PZM mike? --Jeff
From: Vato71 <Vato71@aol.com> Subject: Nassau GA's please. Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 01:51:57 EST I know this is probably a longshot at this point and nobody probably feels like reading this but, if it works, it was worth it. Here goes, I really really need to get my hands on GA tix for both nights of nassau for obvious reasons. I have reserved tix now and can offer those as a trade or I can pay cash or both, whatever it takes. In addition I can offer master analog copies, clones or patches (schoeps cmc6 mk4>>AM apprentice>>mv100>>sbm-1>>dap1), again whatever it takes. Please, oh please help if you can, or at least make an offer. Thanks, paul 315-474-1851
From: pkmin@rsc.rockwell.com Subject: An apology Date: Sun, 15 Mar 1998 22:53:26 -0800 Dear Scott and the list, I went overboard. I am sorry. I should have simply and clearly pointed out what I didn't like in your original post and left it at that. Instead I took it a step further. I don't want to discourage you or anyone from posting. At this point all that matters to me is that you understand where I am coming from the 2nd time around. Though I hinted to this in my first response, I was not clear, and posted in a rude way. Once again sincere apologies and peace, Pete
From: Yalk <Yalk@aol.com> Subject: Preamp Stage: M1/D100 Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 10:00:34 EST From: Brian Dowling <euphoria@xsite.net> Subject: D100 pre-amp Asked: <<I heard that the M-1 has the same configurational pre-amp as the SBM-1. Is this correct? >> The same IC is used. <<Does the D100 have the same configurationalk pre-amp as the M-1, and the SBM-1? Or is it completely different?>> Yes, it is basically the same. <<I have noticed that the D100 has a much better pre-amp than the D-7/D8 in regards with running microphones through the mic-in jack. I am able to punch levels much higher without having distortion caused by the pre-amp at levels of -2 to 0, where with the D7/D8 had distortional problems with particularly certain mics. >> The M1/D100 input circuitry is improved over the D7/8. Regards, Klay Anderson http://www.klay.com 1.800.FOR.KLAY
From: Boxcephus <Boxcephus@aol.com> Subject: no particular place to go Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 10:04:49 EST Aaah the perils of live entertainment... >>Sure FOB might provide the optimal source for capturing the music right out of the loudspeakers, but unfortunately you can't predict the randomness of the people who will be in the vicinity of the taper. Remember, it just takes one loud obnoxious fool to ruin an otherwise great tape. It seems silly to try and convince this entire list of one approach, considering the diversity of our methods you can count on some of us being EVERYWHERE at any given venue.It's usually not where but how things are done that matters... So... Get over it. I guess that's what makes for good horse races... different strokes.
From: Ian Dew <imdew@psrw.com> Subject: whistling Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 10:33:50 -0500 I just joined the Digest & have read the FAQ & surfed the net looking for info, but I still have some unanswered questions I'd like help resolving. I have a PowerMac (not A/V) with SoundEdit & AudioDeck software and no other equipment, and my condo is too noisy to record in. I want to record myself whistling (fairly high frequencies, inhaling (very little noise), and exhaling (real potential for noise), edit/mix/master the stuff, and create a good/high quality CD. I want to get a portable DAT recorder, a mic, a quiet place to record, & a method for getting the audio onto my hard drive. I'll worry about CD software & hardware later. So far, I like what I've read about the Sony D100/M1 systems. I know squat about mics. The only place I can think of to record is in my car in a parking garage late at night. Can the AudioMedia III card interface with D100/M1s? Can a computer DAT drive put the audio onto my hard drive in a format that can be accessed by my software? I welcome any and all info, suggestions, & wisdom. Thanks in advance. -- ==== ==== Ian M. Dew, Senior Software Engineer == == Image Sciences Group, http://www.psrw.com/image/imageintro.html ========= Pacific-Sierra Research Corporation, http://www.psrw.com ===== 1400 Key Blvd, Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22209 = (703) 807-5689, Fax: (703) 524-2420
From: SnowRide <SnowRide@aol.com> Subject: Mic question? (Sonic Studio DSM-6) Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 10:47:01 EST Greetings DatHeads, I recently got a Sony PCM M1 and am interested in getting some mics for stealthing shows. I had the opportunity to borrow some barely used Sonic Studio DSM-6 mics, they are very small and attach to either side of a pair of glasses.. I tried them out saturday night and am very happy with the way the tape turned out. I am a total newbie and need to know if these are worth the $400 price tag, and if there are other mics of similar stlye and quality for the same or less money. Any and all input will be greatly appreciated.. Thanx for reading... Cliff
From: Vic <vjd3@tampabay.grr.com> Subject: earplugs? Reply-To: vjd3@tampabay.grr.com Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 10:56:42 -0500 Anyone out there know of some good ear protection? I play lead guitar in a Dead cover band, and in our stage configuration, my Mesa Boogie amp is 2 feet from my left ear. I am experiencing tinnitus in that ear all of a sudden, and, you know, $60 a night ain't worth going deaf over. I just tried the cheap foam plugs, which do a great job protecting, but I can't hear the rest of the band. Even tried leaving one of those in my left ear and leaving the right unprotected for the second set; worked pretty well, but I was amazed at the attenuation in my right ear after the show. I know some of you guys live in front of the stacks, so there must be someone out there with some experience. Thanks Vic
From: Vic <vjd3@tampabay.grr.com> Subject: earplugs, part 2 Reply-To: vjd3@tampabay.grr.com Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 10:57:19 -0500 oops, please remove the "g" from "grr" to reply to the above post on ear protection. Thanks
From: pkmin@rsc.rockwell.com Subject: This made me laugh Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 08:12:14 -0800 "I would personally like to shake the hand of anyone who has successfully run AKG 414's up front at a show where FOB is kinda tricky (a la Phish)." (Irregardless of mics)FOBing a phish show tricky? How about back in the days when people used to run spread omnis FOB>30 pound PCMs. Where do you think some of those phat JGB FOBs came from? They never allowed taping....... good thing some of those hard core old school tapers preserved the music......Thanks guys.... Pete
From: Theo Forbath <forbath@ncri.com> Subject: I would LOVE to buy you tix & blank for Michelle Shocked Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 11:18:53 -0500 Hi NYC dat-heads, There are 3 nights left of Michelle's run at CBGBs. If anyone is up for going and taping, i will GLADLY re-imburse you for blanks and ticket costs! PLEASE get in touch! Thanks! t.
From: Bob Ramstad <rramstad@alum.mit.edu> Subject: dat-heads Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 11:35:53 -0500 (EST) a couple of suggestions to scott (actually, advice which people gave me when i first started posting to this list...) first, please do not quote entire posts in the digest when replying to them. edit them so the relevant parts are left and everything else is removed. many people on the list use slow modems to retrieve mail. second, you'd be amazed at the stuff people on the list do for each other. this is especially true when everyone is behaving in a somewhat sociable manner. i've gotten all sorts of groovy things from this list -- much more than i've ever put into it. while a bit aggressive in some areas, the reply from pete to scott was basically right on. when trying to tape a band and getting flack from a venue, the right answer is to attempt to contact the band or their management. dat-heads can provide these pointers sometimes, especially with a popular taper oriented band. i think what pete was really saying was that scott's note contained a lot of additional emotional info which wasn't really germane to the list readership. this message accomplishes the same thing (faster too): does anyone have a contact for Merl Saunders? i want to tape him at the Rave in Milwaukee WI and the venue sez no taping unless Merl or his management gives an official OK. thanks! three lines instead of dozens... and we all know where you're coming from, so we know you're freakin' / bummin' at the prospect of not being able to tape Merl, so it kind of goes without saying. later on... -- Bob Ramstad 339 NW 54th St Seattle WA 98107-3555 206 297 1081 rramstad // alum / mit / edu replace double slash with "at" symbol singles with dots
From: American-Digital <dan@am-dig.com> Subject: RE: Philips CDR-870 Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 08:26:18 -0500 >From: "David D. Rogers" <drogers@lightlink.com> >Subject: RE: Philips CDR-870 cheap at J&R >Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 13:18:48 -0800 > >There's another reason not to get the 870: the integrity of the digital >signal, especially if the CDs you record are going to be copied for several >generations more. Yes, you might not hear any difference There is absolutely no detectable audio difference between my DAT masters and the CDs I've been recording on my CDR870. One thing I have noticed is that my crappy old portable CD player has difficulty playing CDs recorded on a HHB CD-R800 but plays the CDs made on my CDR870 perfectly. I have no idea why this is...very strange, but true. In my experiece... More $$ does not necessarily = better sound performance Thanks- Dan http://www.am-dig.com 888-USA-DATS
From: Theo Forbath <forbath@ncri.com> Subject: Also, got lot's of rare Michelle Shocked to trade! Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 11:51:35 -0500 hi, just a quick follow up to my previous post...anyone who has taped, or plans to tape Michelle at CBGBs in NYC, i have lot's of great Michelle shows to offer in trade! thanks, t.
From: HALFSTEP@webtv.net (Eric Reichenbach) Subject: RE: R300 problems Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 12:04:36 -0500 I have owned this deck for almost three months now, and put a mere 70 hours on it. In that time, it has worked like a charm! It is one great deck for the price. I do like all of the little info that it prvides, e.g. hours used, SCMS code display, 4 digit per head error counter, thin-tape recognition, etc. It also recognizes tapes that were recorded with "emphasis." It just hope that the head assembly lasts longer on it than did my 2 1/2 year-old DA-20!
From: Tom Doub <thomas.w.doub@vanderbilt.edu> Subject: Stealthing with Neumann KM184? Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 11:16:54 -0600 Can anyone offer tips for stealthing with Neumann KM 184 mics and a Sony D100/M1? Is it feasible to mount the KM184s in a hat? Any recommendations for a small power supply/preamp for this combo? TIA, Tom Doub
From: Paul Adams <paulad7@sirius.com> Subject: SP/LP switch problem Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 09:41:08 -0800 Hi folks, I'm new to the list and require your expert help. I am in the process of buying a Sony TCD-D8 from someone through Tradesafe. I have the DAT in my possession but with no manual. Checking it over I noticed that the SP/LP switch seems to slide from left to right without clicking into place unlike for instance the AVLS on/off switch which clicks. Does anyone know if the SP/SP is meant to do that? There is a 44.1 kHz switch in between the settings and it happily slides passed that also. Any help would be mucho appreciated. Paul.
From: schuett.1@osu.edu (Kristofor Schuett) Subject: *Groan* Another D7 Problem... Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 12:54:52 -0500 Symptomology: Turn on D7 (with either batteries or ac adapter) and the machine tries to "ready" itself ("load" message displayed, then the full display comes on, reads all zeroes just as it would if you were at the beginning of a tape) for 5 seconds then shuts down (a complete power down - eg - if you have the light on, it will shut off, the display goes completely blank, no numbers shown, nada). Then it "cycles" again and will continue to do so, every 5-6 seconds or so, until the power is shut off. This happens with and without a tape inside. Anyone have a problem similar to this? Should I be thinking repair or undertaker here? If repair, can you steer me to a reputable shop? Any help is greatly appreciated, many thanks, Kris schuett.1@osu.edu
From: Dan Shoop <shoop@digex.net> Subject: Re: Just Say No To Sharpies Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 12:18:48 -0400 At 11:47 PM -0400 3/11/98, MR JEFF S MORROW wrote: >>Hell, just grab yourself a box of Sharpies. :)>> > >>>No no no folks! In lots of tests, the acid in the ink eats into >the disc over >>>a relatively short amount of time. Or, put another way, the >solvent leaches >>>into the dye layer and poof goes the data. > >It is true that the acid in some inks can have a harmful effect... >particularly in generic markers and in black sharpies, but this does >not apply to Sanford fine-point Blue Sharpies. It is for that reason >that they are a standard for autographs. I personally have CD's that >have had autographs on the front in blue sharpie for 10+ years with >no ill effects. Perhaps the tests were run by Apogee in efforts to >sell pens fpr $2.99. Regular CD's (as opposed CD-Rs) have the actual media sealed inside the plastic, but with CD-R's this is often just laminated to the plastic. When you're writing on the CD, you're actually writing on the media. At least that's been my experience withthe Maxell, Ricoh and TDK CD-R disks. If you snap one in half, you can peel the media right off. So writing on a CD with any marker is probably fine, but in CD-Rs you may have a problem. -dhan ============================================================================= Dan Shoop 127 East Prospect Street Internet Architect Waldwick, NJ 07463 shoop@digex.net (201) 679-7329 finger shoop@access.digex.net for new-and-improved pgp v5.0 public key.
From: TRANEHEAD <TRANEHEAD@aol.com> Subject: BUCK meets LINK! Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 13:56:45 EST looking for buck owens and link wray tape from the house of blues l.a. (mar. 6) did anyone see/dat this amazing show? -thanks TRANEHEAD@aol.com
From: "Blah.Blah...." <datfly@gate.net> Subject: tascam da 30 2 Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 14:08:00 -0500 i am thinking of getting this and as usual i didn't pay attention to comments about them untill now that i am going to get one.....i love credit lines!! any comments or thoughts would be much appriciated. does the high speed miss any bits?? is it still a true clone?? michael
From: Anders Johansson <ajo@algonet.se> Subject: The holes on the cartridge Reply-To: ajo@algonet.se Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 17:13:34 +0100 I found this info on the net: The following diagram is a rough sketch of the bottom side of the DAT cartridge. +------ Recog Hole 1 | +---- Recog Hole 2 +--- File Protect Hole | | +-- Recog Hole 3 | +- Recog.H. 4 | | | | | +---------------------------------------------+ | o o o o O o o | +---------------------------------------------+ | + + | | | +---------------------------------------------+ | | | / \ / \ | | | | | | | | \ / \ / | | || || | | || || | | || || | +---------------------------------------------+ The depths of the four recognition holes encode the type of cartridge. Hole # Tape 1 2 3 4 Thickness Length Coating Format ====================================================== 0 0 0 0 13 um 60m MP DDS, Audio 0 0 1 0 Head Cleaning Cartridge 0 1 0 0 9 um 90m MP DDS 1 0 0 0 6.9 um 120m MP+ DDS-2 0: shallow, 1: deep sorry for the bad drawing - hope you understand anyway Anders
From: "Cliff Bergman" <Cliff.Bergman@thieme.de> Subject: Tree Structure -- Dead Amsterdam 10/81 Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 20:21:11 -0800 For those of you who signed up for this tree (10/16 AUD+SBD, 10/15 AUD, and 10/11/81 AUD) using the sign-up on the DATheads website, the structure can be found at http://www.usertreffen.com/cliff/list.htm --Cliff
From: "Cliff Bergman" <Cliff.Bergman@thieme.de> Subject: Bad, bad maxells Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 20:26:24 -0800 Looks like I have run into a bad batch of Maxell DDS... new, labelled, the real thing. There were areas on each tape that would not record/play w/o errors and noise, at the same location if rerecorded... I opened the cartridges and discovered that there were fairly sharp creases down the middle of the tape, parallel with the edge of the tape, covering maybe 2-3 cm. Yikes! Is this a fairly common occurence? Would those with experience suggest sending the tapes back to the dealer, or to Maxell? Fine thing to have happen when you've got 32 seeds to do for a tree... :-(( Thanks, Cliff
From: "Lutch, James JJ" <Lutch.James.JJ@bhp.com.au> Subject: PCM-M1 and SCMS Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 05:55:00 +1100 quick question on how the m1 handles SCMS. correct me if I'm wrong: writes 00 on digi in, regardless of input signal SCMS? writes 00 on analog in? outputs 00 when reading a 10 or 11 tape? What I really want to know, is can an m1 be used for busting scms while cloning, or only for setting 00 on analog in? thanks, Jamie
From: "Jack R. Lebowitz" <jackl@lemreid.com> Subject: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Re:_Quick_question_regarding=A0_DAT>>Analog?= Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 14:21:24 -0500 On Sun, 15 Mar 1998 18:49:06 -0600, bluewaterbaboonfarm@juno.com (Paul K Colomb) wrote: >if i am sending someone analog blanks for him to do DAT>>Analog for me is >it best to send Type IV Metal bias tapes? Yes, if you want the highest quality copy with the least amount of degradation in the D>A transfer. There's more "headroom" in setting levels with the Type IV tapes, as you can peak at +6 dB rather than the +3 dB with "Type II" (e.g., Maxell XLII) tapes. I personally think they make a better D>A copy and are worth the extra dollar per tape "premium" over Type IIs... J
From: HALFSTEP@webtv.net (Eric Reichenbach) Subject: RE: R300 self-cleaning (revisited) Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 14:30:08 -0500 Hopefully I can clear up a few questions concerning this topic - Yes, the R300 is performing a head cleaning after every 10 hours of use. It occurs only after you power up the deck. (Your deck will not just stop at every 10 hour mark and clean itself.) No, it is not a foam roller that is doing the cleaning. It is a small piece of clear plastic that is approximately 1/4" x 1/4", (or 1/16" sq.). When there is no tape in the deck, this piece is set against the head. In looking down upon the head, picture it (the head) as a clock. The piece touches it just past 12:00. It comes in at a ~45 degree angle from the "northeast." (The head spins counter-clockwise.) I took a close look at the plastic piece, and could see no debris. (Granted, I only have 72 hours on the deck.) I used a dry cleaning tape only once, at the 50 hour mark. (I did so just to play it safe.) I have had no problems with dropouts, diginoise, etc. So, I assume it is doing a sufficient job of cleaning. Based only on my experience, I would not recommend the use of a dry cleaning tape every 10 hours. To prevent some tapes from shedding all over your head, especially the 90m tapes, keep a fan on your deck(s) in order ot keep them cool. A DAT should not be hot when taken out of a deck. A hot DAT is one that will shed. So keep those decks cool. Happy DATing............ERIC
From: Building Dept <plant@wacsf.org> Subject: Phil tape for tree Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 11:43:13 -0800 Hello Phil Phreaks, I taped the Phil show at the Fillmore on 2.27.98. It's fob Schoeps CCM4's > Sonosax SX-M2 > D7. It sounds great. I have seen tons of requests for this show on Dat-Heads and elsewhere so I'm am offering this tape up for treeing. The first person who responds and agrees to run the tree will get the tape. Later, Jim Peckham SF, CA
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