DAT-Heads Digest #139
Contents:
The great sharpie debate - how about label makers? (Toezmysoul)
Stealthing techniques: recent posts ("Tony Guagliardo")
Re: Don't Buy any DAT Gear this week! ("John Blackmore")
Re: Assorted DAT machine questions (Norbert Hahn)
X-Tra Tapes for Blanks (Michael Hanson)
Sony DTC-A6 remote (SAlpert5)
Re: Microphone FAQ needed (Len Moskowitz)
dat to mini-disc question (david cohen)
Re: Sony M-1 (Eric_Brown)
Breaking the laws of physics. (pkmin@rsc.rockwell.com)
unsubscribe ("Sharples, Graham")
[no subject] ("Sharples, Graham")
Hey Atlanta DAT Heads ("Penn, Michael")
Pick Nits (Yalk)
Greyboy Allstars @ 9:30 club (nick)
JMP 1-23-98 (nick)
Repair story (Steven Aric Weinberg)
unsubscribe (Terry_Hammer@freenet.richland.oh.us)
Sony D6 and Dolby ("Paul Galis")
Extra DATs for Trade (Ryryrocco)
From: Toezmysoul <Toezmysoul@aol.com>
Subject: The great sharpie debate - how about label makers?
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 09:49:19 EST
I have an idea that may work in lieu of sharpies or any other pens. I don't
have one of the things so I haven't tried this but here goes.....
A couple of friends of mine have those strip label makers (I think one of them
is made by Brother and is called "P-touch" or something like that.) and being
amazingly anal sorts of people have labeled everything possible. The labels
come in a myriad of colors and some of the machines even support multiple
fonts and sizes. Clear or white tape with black type seems sufficient. I
don't know about the adhesive used though. Finally, when I had this idea and
mentioned it to a friend who has one he said they also make a clear tape that
is meant leave only the lettering on whatever you label. You apparently make
the label the way you want it place it where you want it and rub lightly
across it with something like a pencil eraser, pull up the tape and it leaves
the ink, which he *thinks* is pretty much the same as inkjet ink.
After that conversation I started thinking maybe someone on the list has tried
this and knows whether it works or not.
Just a thought,
j.
From: "Tony Guagliardo <guagliardo@un.org>
Subject: Stealthing techniques: recent posts
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 98 10:35:25 -0500
Although I too love to hear about other people's methods of stealth recording, I
think we should all be careful as to what we post to this list. We assume all
of the people who read our posts are tapers but that may not be true. We don't
want to give all of our secrets away. It'll only make the already tough job of
stealth taping that much more difficult.
-Tony Guagliardo
From: "John Blackmore" <blackmor@iconn.net>
Subject: Re: Don't Buy any DAT Gear this week!
Reply-To: <blackmor@iconn.net>
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 10:53:45 -0500
I just called the DAT store yesterday, inquiring about this big 'sale'. Is
this the same DAT store? I did a web search, came up with
http://www.wiredplanet.com/planet/bc/datstore.htm and called them. They're
"sale" prices were higher than anything I've seen so far. Did I get the
right place? I'm itching to buy my second deck and would love to take
advantage of a good deal, but this doesn't seem to be it. Please point me in
the right direction. THanks!
--
John Blackmore
blackmor@iconn.net
From: Norbert Hahn <hahn@hrz1.hrz.tu-darmstadt.de>
Subject: Re: Assorted DAT machine questions
Reply-To: hahn@hrz1.hrz.tu-darmstadt.de
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 16:46:56 -0800
> From: nickh@wordcraft.co.uk (Nick Hickman)
> Subject: Assorted DAT machine questions
On Thu, 19 Mar 1998 17:16:59 +0000 nickh@wordcraft.co.uk wrote...
[snip]
As I don't have access to all of those machines you are interested
in I'll try to comment on the TASCAM DA-30 mkII.
First of all, this DA-30 is quite different from the DA-20!
Here are the answers for the DA-30 mkII with remote control which you
require to purchase separately ;-)
> My questions are as follows:
>
> 1. Can the machines be set to automatically pause when a Start ID is
> encountered whilst playing?
Yes. By programming via remote control. But after finishing the program
the machine enters Stop mode rather than Pause.
>
> 2. Can the machines be set to pause after searching for a Start ID?
>
Yes. Activate Stand-By key.
> 3. Can the machines be set to "Skip play", to use Skip IDs to search for the next Start ID and to *pause*?
Yes. Same as question 2 + "Skip play" on. Remote control needed.
>
> 4. Can the machines search to a specific numbered Start ID?
Yes. Either by typing the number on the remote control then Play
or dialing the number via shuttle / dial wheel, then Play.
>
> 5. Can the machines display error rate information?
The DA-30 mkII has a connector for an external error indicator.
The "official" one from Tascam is verrrry expensive. I simply
use a scope when I suspect something wrong with a tape.
>
> 6. Do any of the above functions require use of the remote control?
Yes.
>
> 7. Are the machines provided with a wired or wireless remote control, > or are such remote controls available as options?
Wired remote control.
>
> 8. How accurately can Start IDs be positioned?
3 frames = 1/6 sec.
>
> 9. Can the shuttle wheels on the SV-3800, R500, and DA30 be used for
> cueing at a speed slower than normal and then leave the device paused?
> What speeds are available when using the shuttle wheels?
+1, +3, +9, -1, -3, -9
No slower than normal speed. "leave the device paused" can be selected
via Standby key.
Hope this helps,
Norbert
From: Michael Hanson <mihanson@mailbox.syr.edu>
Subject: X-Tra Tapes for Blanks
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 11:19:13 -0500 (EST)
Hi,
I have some xtra tapes for trades that fell though. I'd like to
get new 60mtrs for these (all these are on 90mtr):
1. The Who: 11/08/96 Buffalo (FOB Schoeps)
2. Fear Factory, Bad Religion, Foo Fighters, Wayne Kramer (all SBD)
3. Jane's Addiction 05/01/91 Warwick RI, 05/04/91 Rochester, NY (Schoeps)
4. Jane's Addiction 11/21/97 Sacramento, 11/22/97 San Francisco (Schoeps)
Drop me a line if interested in any of these tapes.
Mike Hanson
<mihanson@mailbox.syr.edu>
DAT list on request.
From: SAlpert5 <SAlpert5@aol.com>
Subject: Sony DTC-A6 remote
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 11:41:15 EST
In DAT-heads 111, bruton1@earthlink.net asked about a replacement remote for
Sony DAT deck DTC-A6.
The supplied remote for the A6 is anemic compared to what it could have been.
There are many "remoteable" functions that the deck is capable of, that the
supplied remote does not offer, such as index mark and erase (for example).
I instead used the remote for the RM-D3K system (for the portable decks) when
I had a DTC-A6. The only button missing from that is the "eject" button. And I
bet there is a full-featured Sony DAT remote that includes that function too,
in addition to all the missing functions (that are not on the original factory
remote control).
Finally, you definitely need a remote made by "SONY" to control your DAT deck.
I doubt that any "universal" remotes would contain any of the "DAT" commands
from the getgo...that is a pretty unusual item, in the scheme of things.
Except of course if the remote is a programmable learning remote, in which
case any existing command from a good remote can be "taught" to the learning
remote.
Anyhow, Sony prices may not be as bad as you think (although they could be
worse...that depends......sometimes, depending on model, a remote can be like
$30 or $40, depending on specific features, etc. You need to merely check with
them for a free price quote...800-222-7669.
From: Len Moskowitz <moskowit@panix.com>
Subject: Re: Microphone FAQ needed
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 12:08:25 -0500 (EST)
Tom McGee <mcgee@caiwireless.net> wrote:
> I've been unable to connect to the host listed as having the microphone FAQ.
You can find a link to it on our Web page. Perhaps it will work.
Len Moskowitz
Core Sound WWW site: http://www.panix.com/~moskowit
moskowit@panix.com
From: david cohen <dcohen@itis.com>
Subject: dat to mini-disc question
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 11:21:04 -0600 (CST)
anyone who has experience cloning dat to mini-disc or vice-versa please
contact me. a pal just bought (against my advice) a sony md recorder and i
have no idea how to interface my aes/ebu or spdif to his "optical" md
digital ins and outs..muchas garcias..dave
Sunshine Dave Dream.......................Host
Dead Serious 11pm to 2am.......................WORT 89.9 FM
Community Radio............The People's Republic of Madison, Wi.
Avoid all needle drugs....the only dope worth shooting is Richard Nixon.
-Abbie Hoffman
From: Eric_Brown <eric_brown@swissbank.com>
Subject: Re: Sony M-1
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 98 12:09:40 -0600
barabbas <barabbas@dsp.net> wrote:
> I only get about 2hr record time using the Nicad Metal Hydrids and about
> 1hr20mins using regular AAs. I have not
> used the Lithiums yet, but I also heard that the AA gell batteries last
> along time. Does any one know anything about these?
I'm surprised that you only get 2hrs with the included Ni-MH batteries on your
M1. I regurlarly get over 3hrs with both my M1 and D100. Are you using mikes
that take power from the deck? (I'm not.) I just recorded a show that ran
almost 3hrs with an analog patch out of my deck and still had quite a bit of
juice left.
One question for any other M1 and D100 users out there - the battery gauge on
my M1 is distinctly different than the gauge on my D100. The D100 behaves as
you would expect. It stays at 4 bars for quite a while (1-1.5 hrs) and then
gradually drops to 3, then 2, the 1. When you get to 1 bar, you know its
getting close to time to change the batteries. On the M1, it is almost
impossible to get it to show 4 bars (and when it does, its only for at most 10
minutes). It then drops pretty quickly to 2 and then 1, but will sit on 1 for
a long time. (Note that this is using the same Sony Ni-MH batteries on both
machines.) The same batteries that show 4 bars on the D100 will only show 3
bars on the M1.
It appears to me that there might be a setting in these units that allows the
gauge to be customized for either Ni-MH batteries, or alkaline batteries.
Alkalines start at a higher voltage (1.5v), and drop their voltage gradually,
whereas the Ni-MH batteries start at a lower voltage (1.2v), but stay very
close to this starting point until the batteries are almost used up. I'm
guessing that my M1 is configured for the alkaline voltage curve. Anybody know
for sure, or have seen this problem before?
> Yes, Use the 20db setting. I taped my first in door show (loud) had the
> mics in and 0db set. I got alot of distortion. I was latter told that
> the 20db setting is actually -20db. It cuts down the recording level by
> 20db. I was also told to use Line in instead of mic in. But you are
> unable to use the -20db setting while using mic in. I have a question
> though. What is the difference between mic in and line in?
The mic input goes through a preamp that amplifies the (typically) lower mic
levels to the levels needed in order to properly digitize and record the
signal. The line input bypasses the mic preamp (and the 20db attenuator if it
was selected) and drives the A/D converter (analog to digital) directly.
The reason that I say typically in describing the mic levels is that with the
sensitivity of some mikes and the high volumes of the types of concerts being
recorded, it is possible that the microphones have a high enough level to drive
the line input. This is ideal because in general, the fewer components/stages
that your signal travels through before it gets recorded, the better your
recording will be. The best method to use when deciding which input to use
(line vs mic) is to start with the line input. If you can get high enough
levels, then stick with it. If not, go the mic input with the 20db switch set.
Then, if need be, go to 0db. Unless you're taping quiet acoustic music, you
will likely not need the 0db setting.
> I just got mine from Core Sound. I bought the 7pin I/O Y cable. You can
> dasiychain it with other DATs. It has the 7 pin going to two cables with
> RCA plugs, one out the other in. I also picked up a couple of RCA and
> XLR barrels to convert them to whom ever I plug into. The cable is only
> $65 with the right angle 7pin connection and $50 with the straight 7pin
> input. Core Sound has many cables to choose from. Here is there
> website. <<http://www.panix.com/~moskowit/
One thing to be aware of is that you won't be able to take a digital patch out
of either an M1 or D100 with these cables if it is the lead deck and the input
is analog. The M1/D100 will automatically switch from analog to digital input
when you plug this cable in. I believe that the Oades are working on an
active cable for these machines that have a switch to allow analog recording
when doing digital patch out.
- Eric
eric_brown@swissbank.com
From: pkmin@rsc.rockwell.com
Subject: Breaking the laws of physics.
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 10:17:48 -0800
"A pre-amp is not an artificial processor..........As one pre-amp producer
once said, "It makes taping
section tapes sound like they were recorded in front of the board." This
really means that instead of
having to go to the extreme of taping up front................ you can
achieve all the
sonic excellence in the comfort of the taping section."
HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa....................Pete
From: "Sharples, Graham" <sdgxs08@brighton1t.agw.bt.co.uk>
Subject: unsubscribe
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 15:50:00 -0000
unsubscribe sdgxs08@brighton1t.agw.bt.co.uk
From: "Sharples, Graham" <sdgxs08@brighton1t.agw.bt.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 17:22:00 -0000
Dear All,
As most of you will by now have gathered, I shall be leaving BT at the
end of March. I shall complete the handing over of all documentation
and duties to the following people.
The System Implementation Manager for the Industry Sector will be
Dave Osmond BWM35
tel: (0181) 666 5884
fax: (0800) 225 444
mobile: 0802 194037
pp 01G01 Delta Point (DLT-CR)
35 Wellesley Road, Croydon
Surrey, CR9 2YZ
Responsible for MCSS and ServiceView issues, and reporting direct to
Dave will be
Mike Skipper BWM335
tel: (0181) 666 5815
fax: 0800 679238
pp 02A02 Delta Point (DLT-CR)
35 Wellesley Road, Croydon
Surrey, CR9 2YZ
I would like to briefly thank all of you for having made my time with
the company interesting, challenging and above all worthwhile. Several
of you deserve a special thankyou for having helped me through a
difficult time last year - you know who you are - I cannot express how
grateful I am to you, but believe me when I say a heartfelt thankyou.
I shall stay in touch so don't think you have completely got rid of me,
and I wish all of you the very best for the new financial year and
beyond - good luck to all of you.
best regards
Graham
From: "Penn, Michael" <MPenn@trsystems.com>
Subject: Hey Atlanta DAT Heads
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 14:34:14 -0500
Did any of you tape Joe Satriani last night 3/19/98 at the Roxy? My tape
broke in the opening act. I didn't realize it till I got home, then
after I spiced it together, I didn't end up with more then 3 minutes. If
you got a tape of it please get in touch with me I have lots to trade.
Thanks,
Mike
From: Yalk <Yalk@aol.com>
Subject: Pick Nits
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 16:18:36 EST
Not to pick nits, but
From: "B Baier" <baierb@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Need help with some terminology
wrote:
<< - AES/EBU (American Engineering Society / European Broadcast Union)>>
AES is Audio Engineering Society.
<<- S/PDIF (Sony / Philips Digital Interface Format) is the consumer
standard for digital audio connections.>>
Incorrectly called this. The standard is correctly called IEC-958.
Regards,
Klay Anderson
http://www.klay.com
1.800.FOR.KLAY
From: nick <guyute@bigfoot.com>
Subject: Greyboy Allstars @ 9:30 club
Reply-To: guyute@bigfoot.com
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 16:36:50 -0500
hey all,
I thought I would ask if anyone was planning on taping this show. I
know that their had been other posts concerning this club's anti-taping
policy...and posts mentioning Ben Harper opening up for the
Greyboy's...who also isn't too friendly. But I believe he isn't a part
of this leg of the tour????
anyway, If anyone is planning on running a rig at this show....drop me
a line as I'd love to setup a patch...
take care,
-nick
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nick Peters
<guyute@bigfoot.com>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: nick <guyute@bigfoot.com>
Subject: JMP 1-23-98
Reply-To: guyute@bigfoot.com
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 16:36:53 -0500
hey all,
I was hoping that someone could help me fill in the gaps on this
setlist. This was the Ram's Head show in MD. Many thanx...
-nick
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nick Peters
<guyute@bigfoot.com>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: Steven Aric Weinberg <wsteve@leland.Stanford.EDU>
Subject: Repair story
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 13:56:14 -0800 (PST)
The saga of the Tascam DA-20 continues ...
I talked to a friend who recommended an authorized Teac/Tascam repair
store that wasn't too far away, so I once again tried having the deck
repaired. In over two years of ownership the DA-20 has worked without
problems for only the first 4 months and has been essentially defunct for
over a year now. I thought perhaps a realignment or something might
possibly help, and this repair guy had a reputation for being quite good,
and basically I just wanted to get the piece of garbage out of my sight
for a while. Well, last month the repair was completed and the repair guy
said it only needed a thorough cleaning. I was quite leery of this, as
the deck has been professionally cleaned many times to no avail, by many
different parties including two times by TEAC factory service in
Montebello.
Of course, when I got the deck back it continued to glitch on playback of
nearly every tape I have. The repair guy claimed that since they were
either done with the Tascam before he fixed it, or with different decks,
that didn't matter. He said if it didn't play back tapes that were
recorded since he cleaned it, then that was something he would look into.
So I took the deck back and showed the guy that when I record on brand new
Ampex/KAO Gold/DIC/Maxell/Sony 60 meter tapes, the recording will have
high error counts that render the tape unlistenable. The repair guy than
showed me a TDK 16 min tape he used to check the deck and lo and behold it
did record flawlessly for the entire tape. Basically, the guy refused to
look at my deck any more because all the tapes I was using were DDS tapes
and he said that the TASCAM DA-20 is only designed for Digital Audio
tapes, and that DDS tapes are far inferior and that is why I am having
problems. I tried telling the guy that my Sony deck doesn't have any
problem with those other tapes and furthermore that DDS tapes are *better*
not inferior to Digital Audio tapes. He wouldn't listen, it was like
arguing about politics or religion. Finally I showed him that the Sony
tape was audio grade, not a DDS tape, and he said it was probably a bad
batch.
So, I either have to find some more Digital Audio tapes that will
replicate the problem or find another repair place where they understand
that KAO Gold/Ampex/Maxell tapes are not inherently worse than TDK audio
tapes. Then perhaps I can fix the problem of periodic high errors - on the
order of a 10 second patch of noise for each minute of recording. Any
suggestions on finding reasonably priced Maxell Audio grade tapes or a
more enlightened repair service will be kindly welcomed. --Steve
From: Terry_Hammer@freenet.richland.oh.us
Subject: unsubscribe
Reply-To: Terry_Hammer@freenet.richland.oh.us
Date: 20 Mar 1998 21:52:10 GMT
Unsubscribe.
From: "Paul Galis" <hotrats@xsite.net>
Subject: Sony D6 and Dolby
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 16:04:53 -0600
Regarding a recent post:
2) I have the original WM-D6 and this might have changed with the D6C,
but it seems to me that the D6 is heavily record-optimised. It makes
quite acceptable recordings, but its playback is less than exciting. If
the D6 is your only quality cassette machine, this will severely
compromise the quality of sound you can expect using Dolby, since
noise-reduction algorithms tend to exaggerate deficiencies in tape (or
deck) response.
** I have to differ on this one. I used a D6 analog deck back in 91-93 and
I've always used Dolby B. The tapes are lacking that annoying tape hiss
that is associated with non Dolbied shows. The high-end is all there, crisp
and never dull. A good sounding D6 master with Dolby B transferred to DAT
is a definite treat. I managed to get two of my D6 taping friends to use
Dolby B on their shows and now they are bummed that they hadn't used it
earlier in their taping ventures. A lack of high-end may be contributed to
an improperly calibrated tape deck, not the Dolby.
Paul G.
From: Ryryrocco <Ryryrocco@aol.com>
Subject: Extra DATs for Trade
Date: Fri, 20 Mar 1998 17:55:43 EST
Here's the shows I have
moe. 9-27-97 (w/Weir/Wasserman, et al) Schoeps mk41 (1 60 m and 1 90m) great
acoustic moe. sbd filler
Neil Young 11-22-76 DAUD (very good quality, sounds like a sbd) 1 90m (but
it's only 2 hrs of music, I sent my parent a 90 accidentally for a 60m tree)
These are both tapes from Doodah trees, so if you didn't make it on board one
of the trees here's your chance to catch up. I'd like to trade these tapes
for some Van Morrison or Jerry Garcia Band. Email me if interested
Thanks
Dave
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