DAT-Heads Digest #145

Contents:

DAT woes (Jmratman) Flashing 'Cleaning' light, Panasonic/Technics DA-10 (Don Lindbergh) Aerosmith/Spacehog's tour dates (Steven Kingsley) Grateful Dead trivia question ("Mark Feferman") Anyone make it to the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge Last Night? (Theo Forbath) ABB Beacon Tapes (rperry@seamail.nos.noaa.gov) DAT Repair in S.F. Bay Area--Recommendations? ("Rob Harrison") ISO: Grisman & Doc Watson - Santa Barbara, CA 3-13-98 ("Ernie Kelley") galactic/c.hunter taping ?s (Jeff Kollath) Location DC Power (Yalk) John Flannery, please contact (CLARKDA@NKU.EDU) RE: Pre-Sale Dat Store D100 Special! (ElphntHead) Re: DAT-Heads Digest #143 (David Hogan) First LP Digitally Recorded ("Steinkamp, Glenn") interesting findings working with old DATs ("Reiser, Jason") DMB TICKETBOARD **Buy, Sell, Trade, or Find 1998 DMB Tix** (Chris Hall) extra,s (duncan@epix.net) Re: Early Digital Recordings ("Gary Davis") Unsubscribe ("Nate Fisher \(SN\)") Re: early digital - NOT ("Gary Davis") Re: Assorted DAT machine questions - Frames (Brian Abramson)
From: Jmratman <Jmratman@aol.com> Subject: DAT woes Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 09:08:29 EST I'm getting a little disheartened with DAT these days. Some older tapes are starting to generate errors. What's the point in spending all this time and money for a killer recording that will only last 4-5 years and then turn to crap? I've been communicating with a DAT aquaintence who touts CDR since they are pretty much indestructible but, from what I understand, you have a 74 minute limitation per disc. Does anyone have experience with a pro CDR without SCMS so you can go DAT>CDR. What's the issue with sample rate conversions? Is there a CDR that handles that on board? How close is there to a writable DVD with no SCMS? If we are going to "preserve the tunes" then we have to do it on a medium that will last. I'm full of questions. If anyone can provide some insight, I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Jim Ratner Cape Elizabeth, Maine
From: Don Lindbergh <dabl2@nes.nlm.nih.gov> Subject: Flashing 'Cleaning' light, Panasonic/Technics DA-10 Reply-To: dabl2@nes.nlm.nih.gov Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 10:58:41 -0500 I have a Panasonic/Technics DA-10 machine which is about seven years old but which has had what I would call fairly light use over this period. I will have to look up how to display the hours on the head if that's possible and also the error count reading. I used to have this info saved from this list but lost those files to a hardisk crash (yeah, I backup now). Anyway, after seven years of absolutely flawless service this machine is finally flashing it's 'cleaning' light. Imagine that! Stupid or smart, I never so much as ran a cleaning tape through it, so it doesn't surprise me at all it could need one. So I pull the cover and clean the head with radio shack chamois sticks and the fluid which is sold with them. I have 99% pure isopropyl but figured this radio shack fluid sold with the sticks to clean video heads should be fine. I disassembled the carriage and got to the heads fairly easily. I cleaned them (and other parts of the tape path) very carefully and thoroughly yet the 'cleaning' light still flashes when I play a tape (have tried a couple different brands. The playback audio is fine with no distortion or dropouts, but I still need to test recording. Is it possible the light is just triggering falsely? I was thinking of trying a cleaning tape but surely it won't do any better than a swab will it? Does anyone know *exactly* what causes the 'cleaning' light to flash, ie what could make it flash other than actual dirty heads. Perhaps the fluid sold with the cleaning sticks isn't as good as very pure isopropyl and/or because I never cleaned the heads they are going to be very difficult to get clean now?. I can't see anything on the head but realize that doesn't mean a whole lot. I was thinking it's quite possible the heads are worn, even with what I deem as 'light use' after all, it has been seven years. I'm loath to take it to a shop nd pay them $50 to tell me the heads are shot, but if this problem is something tricky beyond my limited skills and can be easily remedied I'd of course do that. Seems like perhaps the $50 would be better invested in a new deck? Any opinions/comments greatly appreciated. --Don dabl2@nlm.nih.gov
From: Steven Kingsley <Steven@airsys.net> Subject: Aerosmith/Spacehog's tour dates Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 11:23:59 -0500 April 18, Delta Center, Salt Lake City April 20, McNichols Sports Arena, Denver April 22, World Arena, Colorado Springs April 24, Spokane Arena, Spokane, Washington April 27, Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska April 29, Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska May 2, Fargodome, Fargo, North Dakota May 3, Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, Duluth, Minnesota May 5, Mankato Civic Center, Mankato, Minnesota May 7, Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska May 9, La Crosse Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin May 11, Metro Center, Rockford, Illinois May 13, The Mark of Quad Cities, Moline, Illinois May 15, Peoria Civic Center Arena, Peoria, Illinois May 17, Ft. Wayne Coliseum, Ft. Wayne, Indiana May 19, Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky May 21, Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville, Tennessee May 23, Roberts Stadium, Evansville, Indiana May 25, Nutter Center, Dayton, Ohio May 27, Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Michigan May 29, Toledo Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio kngdelrio on #efnet Air Systems Inc. http://www.airsys.net/ Dat List At: http://www.airsys.net/dat =============================================== "Time's fun when you're having flies." - Kermit the Frog -
From: "Mark Feferman" <feferman@neosoft.com> Subject: Grateful Dead trivia question Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 11:12:54 -0600 I received a show, MSG 93 or 94 w/B. Marsalis (sp?), from a friend of mine when I started trading, almost two years ago. It contains a filler which I'm trying to find a complete copy of... Neither I nor my friend know the date of the show, but it is definitely not recent. I'd say it was sometime in the 70's. The show starts with someone requesting that the "House lights to be turned off...let's just go by the light of this one candle..." It's a rather funny opening... Just before the music begins, the announcer says "Merrimac Community College presents Grateful Dead." It sounds like a very intimate show and I'd love to get a complete copy. Thanks for any help at all. Mark Feferman
From: Theo Forbath <forbath@ncri.com> Subject: Anyone make it to the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge Last Night? Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 12:34:52 -0500 hi, i was all set to tape Medeski, DJs, and funksters in Cambridge, MA, last night when my 2 year had to be rushed to Children's Hospital due to severe dehydration. Needless to say, I did not make it. I was bummed, but am happy to report that my daughter should be let out this afternoon ;) Boy, those stomach viruses are worse than the chicken pox! anyhow, enough on parenting! i am HOPING that some other boston-based dat-head might have had this show on their calendar...PLEASE tell me you made it, and you got a tape! i am DYING to hear it! got tons and tons to offer in trade, thanks, t.
From: rperry@seamail.nos.noaa.gov Subject: ABB Beacon Tapes Date: Wed, 25 Mar 98 13:06:09 -0500 Peach-Heads, Anyone at the Allman Bro's Friday, 3/20/98 Beacon show? I got there late, and was unable to set up due to timing and acoustic conditions. Plenty to trade, -Russ http://www.erols.com/russndeb/tapelist.html
From: "Rob Harrison" <odeo@2xtreme.net> Subject: DAT Repair in S.F. Bay Area--Recommendations? Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 10:15:53 -0800 Looking to service a Tascam DAT in the Oakland area. Any suggestions/admonitions appreciated. thanks, Rob
From: "Ernie Kelley" <ERNIEK@dec.anr.state.vt.us> Subject: ISO: Grisman & Doc Watson - Santa Barbara, CA 3-13-98 Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 13:26:02 -0500 Anybody out there manage to tape the David Grisman/Doc Watson show in Santa Barbara, CA on Friday, March 13, 1998? If so, would you be up for a trade? Approximately 350 hours of Dead and other assorted goodies on DAT to offer. 1000+ hours on analog. (Iknow, I know. *Nobody* here does that any more, but I hadda throw it out there). Ask for my list. Ernie Kelley <erniek@dec.anr.state.vt.us> or <epopmafs@together.net>
From: kolla_jj@students.uwlax.edu (Jeff Kollath) Subject: galactic/c.hunter taping ?s Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 12:35:25 -0600 (CST) to all... thanks to those of you who replied to the ben harper post. thanks much for taking the time to reply. my next question is about the current galactic/c.hunter tour. what is the taping situation? how long does each group play? i hope to them in madison on april 17 and am really looking forward to seeing both of them for the first time. thanks in advance for the help. eapfp jeff kollath ============================================================================ ========= "We are all driven by an invisible whip. Some run, some have fun, some are hip, some tip, some dip, but we all must answer to the invisible whip." - Rahsaan Roland Kirk, 1969
From: Yalk <Yalk@aol.com> Subject: Location DC Power Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 14:30:12 EST Regarding all the talk lately about "how do I run my stuff" from DC power, I have found a great little answer, but I gotta order a lot of them to make it worthwhile, so here goes my fishing expedition. At my ftp site, ftp.klay.com in the pdf folder there is an Adobe Acrobat file for AutoStarter. This describes a great little 12v/7ah rechargeable battery pack that a)recharges from an auto cigarette lighter jack and b) has an identical jack on it for accessories. Like a *car cord adaptor*. These battery adaptors are $49.95. Regards, Klay Anderson http://www.klay.com 1.800.FOR.KLAY
From: CLARKDA@NKU.EDU Subject: John Flannery, please contact Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 15:43:49 -0400 (EDT) John Flannery from Kenosha, WI, Please get a hold of me as I've lost your e-mail address. --Dan
From: ElphntHead <ElphntHead@aol.com> Subject: RE: Pre-Sale Dat Store D100 Special! Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 17:03:51 EST <Pre-order your D100 <snip> <I will throw in (your choice) a blank DAT <tape, or a recorded CDR from my collection (Nels Cline, Mike Watt, <other bands on request). I didn't realize Gary was in the bootlegging business too. Attempting to profit off an artists work IS bootlegging plain and simple. -Keith
From: David Hogan <x-jiff-x@geocities.com> Subject: Re: DAT-Heads Digest #143 Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 17:21:44 -0500 > > Performers are : > > Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament, Rahat NusRat Fatah Ali Khan, Dildar > > Hussein,Michelle Shocked, Lyle Lovette, Ani DeFranco , Tom Waits, Steve > > Earl , David Robins, etc. (actually that is all I could find out and > > don't know if others are scheduled) > > actually NusRat Fatah Ali Khan died of an apparent heart attack several > months ago. very unfortunate. the performance is still going on and > should be amazing though. *definitely* tape this one folks! Rahat is Nusrat's nephew doing the show in memory of Nusrat. There are others who are scheduled I believe, and a rumour of a surprise guest. Daiv
From: "Steinkamp, Glenn" <SteinkampG@nima.mil> Subject: First LP Digitally Recorded Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 16:24:00 -0600 I recall reading in Audio Magazine a few years ago that the very first commercially released LP that was recorded digitally was Ry Cooder's "Bop Till You Drop". It was released in 1976. The recording used an experimental system developed by IBM and had a sampling rate around 80khz or so. I don't recall how many bits it used. I also remember the article said that the master digital tapes were unable to be played again due to the fact that the hardware was unique,one-of-a kind and no longer existed. -Glenn Steinkamp
From: "Reiser, Jason" <jreiser@dlj.com> Subject: interesting findings working with old DATs Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 17:20:57 -0500 I recently had the oportunity to go through around 80 DAT tapes, most of which were recorded in '93, and some that were as old as '91. These tapes were mostly stored in a cardboard box in no particular orientation (though most were laying flat or nearly flat - probably the worst of all possibilities.) Some were rewound, but the vast majority were left at around 2-3 minutes into the tape. I have no idea why that position was so common. The environment they were in is a basement whose temperature probably varies from a low of about 50-55F to a high in the 80'sF. Humidity isn't too bad, but has been high at times during a couple small floods. The tapes were mostly Ampex professional stock, 124 minute length. Few of them had a recorded blank leader, and most were completely used to the very last second of tape. Going through these tapes, I found that there were no significant problems at the top of the recordings, but the end of many had significant diginoise. The only hypothesis I can make is this: because so many of the tapes were stored flat (instead of on edge,) gravity played its part by putting pressure between the layers of tape. Naturally, this pressure would be greatest toward the center of the reel on which the tape is stored (in this case the left reel.) This pressure damaged the media. I guess I found this most interesting as I went through tapes that were mostly between 5-7 years old and found relatively few problems. And the problems I found seem likely to have been caused by poor storage. All the talk about how little we can trust our DATs after just 5 to 10 years on the shelf can be cause for concern (and perhaps it should,) but this experience was a nice reminder that things aren't really all *that* bad. Take it easy, Jason jreiser@ecoutez.com
From: Chris Hall <chris@longmeadowranch.com> Subject: DMB TICKETBOARD **Buy, Sell, Trade, or Find 1998 DMB Tix** Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 14:31:01 -0800 If you are trying to BUY, SELL, or TRADE tickets to the 1998 DMB Tour, then this is the place for you! DMB fan's from all across the country should be able to use this message board to find or sell that miracle ticket! I strongly suggest that anyone who is looking for someone to purchase them a ticket, when they go on sale, to post here as well. Just because you are out of state from the venue, or you don't know anyone in that area doesn't mean you have to go ticketles!! We already have a load of posts with people selling tickets, as well as looking to buy or trade them. Need a Gorge ticket?? There is a post for someone who is selling three!! This is not a business, just a public service from All Along The Watchtower. All tickets must be sold for face value. Remember to check out All Along The Watchtower for all you DMB tour, and taping information. Please follow the link through to the site...Peace, http://users.lanminds.com/~chris Chris Hall All Along The Watchtower Admin
From: duncan@epix.net Subject: extra,s Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 17:28:20 -0500 (EST) Hello,i have 8 dats i,ve tranfered to another format,up for grabs,for newbies or one deckers",must take all 8,will trade for blank dats,,prefer master dats heres the selection: 11-19-93 jgb {all}90 meter 11-1-85 dead {2}60meter 10-24-97 zero {2}60meters 8-21-95 hornsby{2}60meters 11-30-97 phish {2}60meters Put extra,s in the subject line,and e-mail me at duncan@epix.net Thanks for the space,,,,,,Dunc
From: "Gary Davis" <gdavis@loop.com> Subject: Re: Early Digital Recordings Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 14:50:51 +0000 I have a Telarc CD of the "1812 Overture" that was recorded September 6, 1978 on a Soundstream digital tape recorder with Schoeps mics. Soundstream recorders were (to my knowledge) hand-built, stand-alone digital tape recorders which pre-date PCM and CD recording. That's almost 20 years ago! I bought the CD to experience the "digital cannons" which had been recorded, and for the record, I was super-UN-impressed by the sound and the performance on this disc. --Gary
From: "Nate Fisher \(SN\)" <NFISHER@sno.intrawest.com> Subject: Unsubscribe Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 13:58:07 -0800 Unsubscribe On Vacation
From: "Gary Davis" <gdavis@loop.com> Subject: Re: early digital - NOT Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 14:54:33 +0000 > I read in the English mag Hi-Fi News and Record Review that > digital audio was used for military radio transmissions in > World War II as a form of code. So we have: > digital radio = 1940s, Morse Code is digital, but it's not audio. I doubt these messages contained audio either. --Gary
From: Brian Abramson <brianab@vnd.tek.com> Subject: Re: Assorted DAT machine questions - Frames Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 16:10:42 -0800 >From: "Norbert Hahn" <HAHN@hrz3.hrz.tu-darmstadt.de> >Correction: >In my response to Nick Hickman's question with the subject "Assorted DAT >machine questions" I responded to >> 8. How accurately can Start IDs be positioned? >> >> 3 frames = 1/6 sec. > >It should be 5 frames = 1/6 sec. > >Norbert Actually, doesnt that depend on your definition of "frame"??? In the world of video there are at least 3 different frame counting systems :-) We have NTSC (Never the same Color :-) - 30 frames/sec and NTSC/dropframe - 29.54 frames/sec and PAL (Perfect at Last :-) 25 frames/sec and for totality (SECAM... Specifically Engineered Contrary to the American Method :-) :-) :-) (and even NTSC-no pedestal, IRE black is 0 and not 7... Japan) Now for pure Audio (like CDR burning) a number of programs are based on a frame count of 75 per second! So... you tell me... 1/6 of a second (regardless of the number of frames :-)??? Sorry for all this and I just couldnt help myself :-) :-) :-) Gee.. guess what I do when I'm not DATing??? :-) :-) :-) best wishes, brian "his job is to shed light, not to master!" Tektronix Standard Disclaimer for non-company oriented messages: "Any ideas or opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of my employer."
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