Backing up cassettes tapes to DAT

[Max77]

Plenty of good recommendations here, I agree with both the field recorder method (I use a Tascam DR-100 mkiii) and USB interface like a Focusrite Scarlett or MOTU M2. As for storage, I've gone all out...after you lose data once you learn your lesson. For years I used a Mac Mini with an external HD for backup, both drives gave out around the same time. It may be over the top, but I have 2 NAS units, both using RAID. Yes I know RAID isn't backup, but essentially one of my NAS units backs up the other one. I also have all music on various USB drives. I recently got an M-DISC burner so I'll have those both on and off-site. It's certainly overkill for anything that's readily commercially available but I've got a ton of live recordings, some I've made myself, that if I lose them they're likely gone forever. But if you just want to digitize your tape of "Back in Black" none of this is necessary.

 

[SalesOps]

Plenty of good recommendations here, I agree with both the field recorder method (I use a Tascam DR-100 mkiii) and USB interface like a Focusrite Scarlett or MOTU M2. As for storage, I've gone all out...after you lose data once you learn your lesson. For years I used a Mac Mini with an external HD for backup, both drives gave out around the same time. It may be over the top, but I have 2 NAS units, both using RAID. Yes I know RAID isn't backup, but essentially one of my NAS units backs up the other one. I also have all music on various USB drives. I recently got an M-DISC burner so I'll have those both on and off-site. It's certainly overkill for anything that's readily commercially available but I've got a ton of live recordings, some I've made myself, that if I lose them they're likely gone forever. But if you just want to digitize your tape of "Back in Black" none of this is necessary.

So do you think just buying the CD version would be better? I mean, the CD would sound better and always sound as good as new. But tapes degrade over time, that's why I was thinking of digitizing them.

 

[oldvinyldude]

So do you think just buying the CD version would be better? I mean, the CD would sound better and always sound as good as new. But tapes degrade over time, that's why I was thinking of digitizing them.

Even CD's are not forever, but I have bought a few specifically because I got a tape, loved the music, and either it was never released on vinyl or it it is\was, vinyl prices are so dang high now.

I do not test for sound quality loss over time with my tapes-I just listen and enjoy.

In general, a mediocre sounding tape has still sounded mediocre years later, while a great sounding tape still sounds great, years later. That's my experience\perception.

 

[titanstats]

So do you think just buying the CD version would be better? I mean, the CD would sound better and always sound as good as new. But tapes degrade over time, that's why I was thinking of digitizing them.

Tape shouldn't degrade unless it's stored very, very poorly or played on bad/damaged equipment, or in the case of open reel if it's backcoated. Aside from that a tape should sound about the same on it's 1st or 100th playback.

 

[ARC Tech-109]

Reviving an old thread only because it popped up but also to dispell the myth of DAT. I've owned this DA30 since new and aside from cleaning out the old grease it has been top notch. I also have a Panasonic SV-3700 that has been super reliable. You can find NOS DAT tape on ePay but I've been using DDS data tapes with no issues.
How many hard drives have you crashed? Bearings dry and get rough and Op systems keep changing and not for the better. I have DATs that I made during the late 80s when the format came out that still play well, something I can't say about CDRs.
Maybe I'm the lucky one but after 30+ years of doing production work with that DA30 on a daily basis I'd say it's more than luck.

 

[SalesOps]

Reviving an old thread only because it popped up but also to dispell the myth of DAT. I've owned this DA30 since new and aside from cleaning out the old grease it has been top notch. I also have a Panasonic SV-3700 that has been super reliable. You can find NOS DAT tape on ePay but I've been using DDS data tapes with no issues.
How many hard drives have you crashed? Bearings dry and get rough and Op systems keep changing and not for the better. I have DATs that I made during the late 80s when the format came out that still play well, something I can't say about CDRs.
Maybe I'm the lucky one but after 30+ years of doing production work with that DA30 on a daily basis I'd say it's more than luck.
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Oh yeah, DAT stuff can last a long time. Only analog hipsters like to bash it. Cassette decks have way more problems. Not to mention you have to spend alot of money on high end decks and high end blank tapes just to get the same sound as DAT. It's just not worth it. DAT is much cheaper in that regards.

 

[radiokom]

Oh yeah, DAT stuff can last a long time. Only analog hipsters like to bash it. Cassette decks have way more problems. Not to mention you have to spend alot of money on high end decks and high end blank tapes just to get the same sound as DAT. It's just not worth it. DAT is much cheaper in that regards.

DAT cassettes degrades the same way as Digital video cassettes (no matter DV, miniDV etc.). It is a must to copy digital video and audio cassettes to PC. For many it is too late.

 

[ARC Tech-109]

DAT tape is formulated differently than standard audio and video tape with the only parallel being the ME type DVCPRO tape. I work in the plastic industry and know the actual formula of mylar has an extremely good longevity of 40+ years and with the evaporated coating it won't shed over time.
I'm also an analog hipster with old open reel tapes some going back to the 1960s that still play well. Nothing lasts forever but at 50+ years old I'd say it's doing well.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Oh yeah, DAT stuff can last a long time. Only analog hipsters like to bash it. Cassette decks have way more problems. Not to mention you have to spend alot of money on high end decks and high end blank tapes just to get the same sound as DAT. It's just not worth it. DAT is much cheaper in that regards.

Or broadcast studio engineers who got to deal with the drama of DAT machines not working, and DAT tapes recorded on one machine which would not play on another machine, even of the same make and model. (note that was also brand new, and machines in warranty). Sorry. Reality! DAT was a PITA format even when new. Parts virtually extinct, as is new heads, and new parts or tape not NOS.

 

[Tonoje]

I agree with Kent. The machines are complicated, they would be a pain to service and to find parts for, and many are likely to be prone to problems after this length of time. The tapes are not reliable, so for backup, both the format and the tapes themselves would be a disastrous choice.

As something to dabble in for fun, well maybe - if all the above warnings aren't sufficient deterrence. I see old DAT machines in secondhand audio shops quite often, but nowadays I just see them as a gateway to trouble I don't want.