DAT-Heads Digest #91
Contents:
D3 & 670 for sale/ D9 alert (LONGMIRE JOHN R)
Re: tascam vs. panasonic (Seth Breidbart)
Answers to DA-30 queries (Dick Baker)
Prices on Tascam/Panasonic (David Landsberger)
Emphasis? (GruvenOn@aol.com)
Extended warranties update -- Neal Berkowitz moves! (Phydeaux)
Re: Emphasis? (Seth Breidbart)
Mic Preamps (jerry chamkis)
More on Archive Pythons (Paul.Simmonds@jet.uk)
re: tascam vs. panasonic (Jeff Maggard 08-Nov-1994 1018)
d7 fuzziness ("Robert H. Maurizi")
Resampling (Greg Hanssen)
Dead Hampton 87, WSP, Phil Lesh & Friends ("RICHARD E. EGGLETON")
Extended warranty from IDS (Harvey Elec.) (Alek Grabinski)
From: LONGMIRE JOHN R <longmire@ucsuc.colorado.edu>
Subject: D3 & 670 for sale/ D9 alert
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 1994 18:27:40 -0700 (MST)
Hi y'all:
if anyone is looking for either of these Sony decks: (D3 or 670)
please call:
Robert Mutch (303) 399-2780
He is not on the net and hence I am posting this message.
Incidentally, I know for a fact that these have low hours since we're
always using my SV-250 for masters and my 3700's for dubbing.
========
Does anyone else find this humorous?
While breaking down after a Widespread Panic show last night in Fort Collins,
CO a guy came up to me and asked for a copy. One of the invevitable D6
analog brigade who had patched out of me had already said that he'd be
willing to make people copies so I introduced them.
Standard fare I thought but this guy(the "D9" guy) persisted. " No, I'd
love a DAT copy." "Oh, I can make one for you. What machine do you have?"
"I have a "D9".
I said, "oh so you have a D7?" "No, it's a D9" "Is it a dat walkman?"
"No, it's a D9. It's not a walkman but I use it for taping."
At this point it was time to take his word for it.
Other famous quotes from 11.6.94-
"What kind of mics are those?" "AKG460's, they're pretty good." "Yeah,
but are they KIND?"
"Is that absolute time on there? No my deck doesn't register absolute
time. Bummer, I was going by your tape counter to know when to flip my tapes."
Take it easy
John Longmire
PO box 382
Boulder, CO 80306-0382
longmire@ucsu.colorado.edu
"Moderation is deadly. Nothing succeeds like excess." Oscar Wilde
Vote green!
From: Seth Breidbart <sethb@panix.com>
Subject: Re: tascam vs. panasonic
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 1994 22:54:04 -0500
The 3700 does handle consumer subcodes; the AES/EBU connection doesn't
(they aren't defined for it).
The shuttle wheel has, I think, 16 speeds: (1x to 5x, forward and
reverse in play mode, and 0.5x to 2.5x in pause mode).
Seth
From: Dick Baker <dbaker@netcom.com>
Subject: Answers to DA-30 queries
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 1994 20:13:28 -0800 (PST)
In DAT-Heads Digest #90, Bryan Levin asked:
>I (and many others) are considering a 3700. Questions came up about the new
>tascam da30/II. I know it has a shuttle/jog wheel. Does it have an error
>count display? (the 3700 does).
No.
>Is there any real diff between the shuttle wheels on the 2 brands? I know
>they're not infinite resolution - there are only 2 quick-locate speeds in
>either direction. I guess this wheel is really just a fancy switch, NOT a
>real pot. Is the tascam the same way?
No--as you rotate the wheel farther and farther, the playback (or play-in-
reverse) speed moves gradually from normal to 16x normal. Unfortunately,
it does NOT give you the option of slower-than-normal playback.
>About pro formats and start-id's: I believe the 3700 does not record consumer
>subcodes (start, stop, skip id's). Is the new tascam any different? How
>about consumer tapes played back on these machines, fed to a consumer deck
>that -does- supports these subcodes: do they get passed on, or suppressed
>before being sent to the consumer digital out port?
Oops--I though I could answer this when I started the msg, but realize that
you asked about dubs in the "other" direction. When dubbing digitally into
the Tascam, its default is to set the copy code on the tape it makes to 00,
but it does allow you to set it to 10 or 11, presumably so you can pass the
tape to a consumer-deck owner and limit his further dubbing. The owner's
manual says nothing about the SCMS code on an outgoing signal, but I suspect
that it passes it along. So if you must dub between a consumer deck and the
Tascam, just dub in the consumer-to-pro direction. (If this is a critical
question, ask me again. I've only had the DA-30 Mk II unpacked a few hours
and haven't done any serious testing.) It does record the usual stop,
start & skip IDs.
>The 3700 has a 'head life meter' of some sort on the back. Does the tascam
>have anything like this?
No.
BIG FAT BEWARE: Like everybody else, the Tascam folks say (quoting from
p. 6 of the manual): "The tape used in 180-min cassettes is extremely
thin and can cause winding problems, crimping, wrinkling, and other damage
to the tape which will destroy your work. Don't use 180-min cassettes in
the DA-30 MK II."
But you won't get the chance anyway. The Tascam checks the identification
holes and refuses to accept a thin tape at all. Obviously, lots of folks
here are happily using 90m data tapes on a variety of decks, so the
DA-30 MK II is not for them. Otherwise, it appears to be a hell of a
powerful, flexible piece of equipment.
_________________________________________________________________
Dick Baker - Falls Church, VA
dbaker@netcom.com
From: David Landsberger <berger@world.std.com>
Subject: Prices on Tascam/Panasonic
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 1994 23:17:35 -0500 (EST)
I'm getting ready to buy a new Dat machine. It needs to:
1) Record analog at 44.1
2) Sound Good
3) Defeat SCMS.
I'm looking to spend about $1000 on a deck, but I'm VERY price
sensitive. (I'd really like to spend about $800-$900 ideally.)
Instinctively, I'm looking at the Tascam DA30. (What's the
deal on the DA30II, I know nothibng about it.) How cheaply can
I get one of these devices? Is there are bargain out there?
I'm also possibly interested in the Panasonic SV3700. My sence is that
its a similar deck and a little more money. Is there a strong reason
why I should lead to one or the other? I'm leaning toward the DA30
because its cheaper. Can I get it for $900?
What other decks should I be considering that are ~$1000 and fit
the above critereon?
Thanks,
David
From: GruvenOn@aol.com
Subject: Emphasis?
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 1994 23:23:51 -0500
What, in brief, is Emphasis? I have a DA-30 and just got some trades that
were recorded at 48K and the Emphasis light comes on when I play them. I
don't think it is something I can control when I am recording.(?) Does
Emphasis have anything to do with sampling frequency? Email or public reply
is greatly appreciated
Curiously,
Alan
From: Phydeaux <reb@xyzzy.com>
Subject: Extended warranties update -- Neal Berkowitz moves!
Date: Mon, 7 Nov 94 23:20:57 EST
Neal Berkowitz, who used to sell extended warranties and
DAT decks at Harvey Electronics, has switched employers.
He can now be reached at Woodbridge Stereo in Wayne, NJ (at
least I think the new store is in Wayne ;-) ... the telephone
number is 201-575-8264. Call, and ask for Neal!
reb
ps: Could whoever maintains the FAQ update it?
pps:Yes, he still sells the same IDS extended warranties!
From: Seth Breidbart <sethb@panix.com>
Subject: Re: Emphasis?
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 1994 00:38:04 -0500
Emphasis is sort of like dolby; it plays with frequency response when
recording, and inverts when playing, so as to move the noise to
frequencies where it's less obtrusive. It's seldom used these days,
but some dat decks (and PCM) use it.
Seth
From: jerry chamkis <jchamkis@bga.com>
Subject: Mic Preamps
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 1994 01:24:58 -0600 (CST)
Hello folks. I've been watching the commentary on mic preamps and just
can't resist putting in my .02 worth. First I must tell you I've been
building these things commercially for about 5 years under the AERCO
name. They are well received in pro circles (Mickey Hart uses one) and
I'd be delighted to send details if you send me E-mail direct. Here are
a few points:
It's hard to call a 60 mA current requirement a true portable. We use
Linear Technology Op-Amps which make golden ears grin. The LT-1115 is a
.9 nV _/- Hz part that takes about 10 mA. It must be driven from a low
source impedance and is an impeccable choice if you are not going to use
a transformer. Unfortunately, LT parts are not that easy to find in
small quantities. If you really want to build your own preamp, I'll sell
you LT parts at our cost ($ 2 - 3 ) plus shipping. Note that if you
don't use a transformer, you're NOT going to get really low noise
performance. If you're using serious microphones you owe it to yourself
to use serious transformers and they are NOT cheap. If you're going for
low noise on a budget consider Beyer transformers. They're certainly no
Jensens but I'll sell you those for $ 12 ea. If you use transformers use
the LT-1007 op-amp which only draws 3 mA and you will get the lowest
noise that the laws of physics allow. Two 9 V alkaline batteries will
run a pair of these parts for 100 hours.
If you're going to build your own preamp be advised that a ground plane
PC board is essential. Any of the ICs you want to use have power
bandwidths on the order of 20 MHz and will cheerfully oscillate and ring
if the power leads are not very well bypassed.
You should avoid designs that use inter-stage coupling capacitors. After
decoupling the phantom power with a transformer or capacitors, all the
rest of the preamp should be DC coupled..
It's somewhat of an investment in time and/or money, but the reward is a
reduction of hiss by about 6 dB in portable units and 3 or 4 dB even in
the pro-DATs.
Happy taping! Jerry Chamkis jchamkis@bga.com
AERCO (512) 451-5874
From: Paul.Simmonds@jet.uk
Subject: More on Archive Pythons
Date: Sat, 5 Nov 94 17:21:09 +6816
The saga continues;
Archive do only one version that supports audio, this is an OEM for SGI, they
WILL NOT supply it. The interesting bit is that this has an Audio READ only
capability, it WILL NOT write Audio to a DAT.
I now have a contact inside SGI, but initial converstations do not look
hopeful!
Regards
Paul Simmonds
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From: Jeff Maggard 08-Nov-1994 1018 <maggard@subpac.enet.dec.com>
Subject: re: tascam vs. panasonic
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 94 10:25:03 EST
Bryan Levin <blevin@netcom.com> writes:
> Is there any real diff between the shuttle wheels on the 2 brands? I know
> they're not infinite resolution - there are only 2 quick-locate speeds in
> either direction. I guess this wheel is really just a fancy switch, NOT a
> real pot. Is the tascam the same way?
On the SV-3700, the jog wheel supports *THREE* speeds in each direction during
PLAY. There are also THREE speeds during PAUSE mode, although only one of
them is different (1/2 speed is not available during PLAY mode).
> I believe the 3700 does not record consumer subcodes (start, stop, skip
> id's).
The SV-3700 *DOES* record 'consumer subcodes' in IEC-958 (S/PDIF) mode. If
you are dubbing using the AES/EBU (XLR) interface, it will not
record/transmit/copy the subcode information because that information is not
given in the AES/EBU specification.
> The 3700 has a 'head life meter' of some sort on the back.
Yes, the 3700 has a small 'transport use' hour indicator with 500 hr. markings
-- basically a low-resolution odometer. One might be able to eyeball to
+/-100 hours.
I don't know about the DA/30II, so I can't compare, sorry.
- jeff
From: "Robert H. Maurizi" <rmaurizi@moose.uvm.edu>
Subject: d7 fuzziness
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 1994 11:35:59 -0500 (EST)
lately, when I try to play back on my d7, the sound cuts in and out. I'm
not sure if it does it when I record, because i hear it on play back.
this is a new problem for my machine, and i've tried a dat cleaner, but
that didn't work.
If anyone has any suggestions on how to fix this problem, please email me
personally.
Thanks.
-Rob
rmaurizi@moose.uvm.edu
From: Greg Hanssen <hanssen@netcom.com>
Subject: Resampling
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 1994 13:04:55 -0800 (PST)
Hello..
> From: Ross Clement <clemenr@westminster.ac.uk>
> I have read a paper claiming that on a performance/computational
> requirements scale, high order polynomial interpolations will always
> beat decimation/interpolation. I.e. if you implement a poly interpolation
> routine using the same resources as D/I it will be of higher quality.
Yup.. that's what I would expect.. I was just amazed at how good the
floating point linear interpolation sounded! (probably more a reflection
of my hearing then the actual fidelity... although I did show it to a
few friends who couldn't tell either... too many rock concerts I guess).
I can tell a slight difference but not what people had been bracing me
for.. I guess I should find one of those guys who buys a $5000 turntable
and have them listen to an A/B test... but then they'd probably complain
about any digital audio....
==============================
> From: Robert Katz <bobkatz@panix.com>
> Greg, your big problem is that any of the methods you suggest require high
> precision dither to not destroy the low level resolution of the source.
> You will be moving the low level information of the source into least
> significant bits below the 16th bit during intermediate calculations. Keep
> at least 24 bits of any intermediate results (I advocate 56 bits until the
> last arithmetic step). Then redither using a properly chosen random number
> before truncating your result to 16 bits. Then it may sound better.
Precision shouldn't be a problem.. on the PC version I'm using floating point
and the 4920 DSP uses 24bit with a 48bit accumulator.. I'll look into the
dither issue for the final 16 though...
--
--Greg <Hanssen@netcom.com> (714)-551-5833 4961 Barkwood
Zefiro Acoustics: SPDIF interface cards for the PC. Irvine, Ca. 92714
From: "RICHARD E. EGGLETON" <reggleto@mason1.gmu.edu>
Subject: Dead Hampton 87, WSP, Phil Lesh & Friends
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 1994 17:32:09 -0500 (EST)
Hi Everyone:
I was wondering if anybody has good soundboards or audience of
the Dead at Hampton in 1987. The dates are March 22,23,24.
Also I was wondering about obtaining copies of the Phil Lesh
and Friends. If anyone can help me out I would greatly
appreciate it. I will be happy to trade or send blanks.
I will be going to see Widespread Panic in Baltimore on Nov 26th.
Can anyone tell me what the status is on taping, I have heard several
rumors that the band has prohibited tapers.
thanks
rich
reggleto@mason1.gmu.edu
From: Alek Grabinski <Alek_Grabinski@ccm.sc.intel.com>
Subject: Extended warranty from IDS (Harvey Elec.)
Date: Tue, 8 Nov 94 15:48:40 PST
Text item: Text_1
Warren E Nelson <wnelson@emoryu1.cc.emory.edu> asks about the
extended warranty from Neal Berkowitz at Harvey Electronics
(below my response):
>Does anyone have experiences that they'd want to share about this
>service? If a more detailed description of this topic is available
>somewhere (a past digest, another FAQ, etc) please email me and accept my
>apologies.
I purchased two extended warranties from Neal earlier this year:
a 2-year extension for a Sony 60ES (which has a 3-year), and a
4-year extension for a Sony D7 (1-year). They cost $80 and $100
respectively, and guarantee repair costs through mid-1999. I
paid for the warranties on a credit card, and was told that I
should be getting the paperwork in about 30 days. True to his
word, Neal had the warranties to me within a month. I have had
occasion to use neither yet, but do not anticipate any problems.
The warranties are actually issued through a company called IDS,
which is a large insurance company. They apparently haven't
seen the light regarding DAT reliability, as they classify DAT
decks in the same category as VCRs.
The only caveat with extended warranties from IDS/Harvey is that
you must initiate the process (by calling Neal) within 30 days of
purchasing your DAT deck.
Alek
[FAQ info below]
Neal Berkowitz at Harvey Electronics sells extended warranties for DAT
decks, approx. $100 for 5 years. They are available for
non-grey-market decks purchased from legitimate dealers. Since the
cost of head replacement is about $300, such warranties tend to be
worthwhile. [sb]
Harvey Electronics
Paramus, NJ
(201)652-2882
(ask for Neal Berkowitz)
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