Expert: Larry A. Staffen - 10/18/2009

Question
QUESTION: A friend has a master recording 1/4" / 10" reel of tape.  It was recorded at 30 ips... I only have a
15 ips tape player.  I've heard there's a way to take the 30 ips recording, playing it out to a computer that records the audio file, then transfer it back to the reel to reel player at a slower speed... or something like that.  If possible could you try and get me up to speed on the process?
I would really appreciate it.  Hardware - Mac computer, Technics 1560 R2R, Software - Final Vinyl
Garage Band, Logic (I'm not well versed in Logic).  Thank you.  Rolf

ANSWER: Hi Rolf - There are several ways of accomplishing this:  First there's 1/2 speed process... where you can take  your 30 IPS and convert your source to another tape recorder @ 7 1/2 IPS.  Then, finally playing it back at 15 IPS.  Or... using GoldWave (can be obtained on the net) ... recording @ 15 IPS, then playing it back at double speed into your computer.

Lar

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, Lar      Just to be sure... I play the 30 ips tape @ 15 ips through the RCA outputs to the RCA inputs of
another R2R player.  I record that audio tape as an incoming source at 7 1/2 IPS.   Good so far?  What about some of these R2R players that have 4Track or 2 Track capabilities... does that factor into the settings at all?  Just to know the details, by doing it this way, am I losing playback quality from the master by doing this method?  I know the musicians will ask that question.  Thanks again for your expertise.  Rolf

Answer
Hi Rolf - RCA plugs are fine.  The 7 1/2 IPS transfer is also fine, but there is always a generation loss incurred.  You may do a playback and record  alignment however this is quite an involved complicated process to explain, so I would simply go for a 0vu to a 0vu on both machines...providing you have that luxury.  If not, you can eyeball the levels.  Keeping in mind and this being an analogue recording, you can have occasional peaks in the red.  No pinning of course.  Listen for distortion.  It's easier to check for distortion at a low level, as the higher level can "fool" your eardrums by masking the true sound.  Keep me posted and good luck!

Lar