If the tape is from the 80’s or later and has black backing, it’s likely sticky
Test the tape by slowly unreeling the tape off the reel. If it’s sticky, the tape will not easily fall off the reel.
If you are already playing back the tape and it’s squaling, it will need to be baked.
Only bake tapes that are polyester, NEVER bake acetate tapes. An easy way to remember this is “if it’s opaque, you can bake!” Acetate tapes are translucent when held up to bright lights, and will melt if you bake them.
If sticky, bake the tape using Program 3
50 degrees C
4.0 degrees C/min
48 hour cycle
Fan speed 60%
Salesforce
Notate any baking you do as a Preservation Activity in Salesforce
Click “New Preservation Activity” from the Preservation Object page
Select the date
Select “Baking”
Make sure the correct Preservation Object is associated
Make sure a note about which program was used, or any extra info
Audio Transfer Station Setup
Here is the typical signal chain for an analog audio transfer
Tape Deck (Otari for Reel to Reel, Tascam for cassettes)
A/D converter (MOTU Ultralite Mk4)
Computer (Mac laptop running REAPER)
Set up the signal chain
Connect the Left and Right outputs of the Tape Deck to Inputs 1 and 2 respectively of the MOTU.
Connect the MOTU to the Mac laptop via USB
Open REAPER, create a new project
Press File -> Open in New Project tab
Select a template by pressing File -> Project Template
Select the appropriate template for the tape type you’re using
Analog tapes: 96k_24b_Analog
DAT tapes: 48k_16b_DAT
MiniDisc: 48k_16b_DAT
Name the project after the BAVC Barcode Number. Save it in a folder named after the Opportunity on the Scratch RAID
Make sure the project settings are correct. You can see them at the top of the screen.
Project Templates should have the inputs already set up. However, you can click on the audio meters per track to set the inputs accordingly.
You can monitor the audio being recorded on the studio monitors. Make sure they are on and click the “Main Volume” encoder on the MOTU until Main 1-2 appears. Adjust the levels appropriately.
Salesforce
Fill out the Transfer Environment section
Transfer Suite (Preservtion Grotto)
Transfer Technician (User)
Transfer Date
Source Deck
TBC/Frame Sync 1 (will always be None)
SDI Converter (will always be None)
Host Computer
Operating System Name
Operating System Version
Capture Hardware
Capture Software
Fill out the Audio Metdata sections. This metadata gets embedded directly into the audio files, so make sure it is correct and has no typos! You can get this info either from the metadata provided by the client, or from the content on the tape.
Audio Metadata: Title
You can just use the label if it is descriptive. If not, just give it a good title according to the metadata. If that doesn’t work, just enter the barcode.
Audio metadata: Artist
If there is an interviewee, artist, or musician and you have their full name, use that. If you can’t get that then use the Archive or Collection Holder’s name.
Audio metadata: Date
Enter the original recording date if you have it. If not, leave blank.
Audio Metadata: Album
Use the collection name if you have it. If not, use the Archive or Collection Holder’s name.
Prep
Track Configuration
Determine what the track configuration is
Leader
When auditioning, test to see if the audio goes right to the beginning and end of the tape. If so, add leader to either side before transferring.
Levels
The Otari decks are calibrated against test tones. However, if the levels are way too low or clipping, you can turn off SRL (Standard Record Level) and adjust the levels manually.
Cleaning
Clean the entire signal path of the tape deck with cotton swabs, texwipes, and isopropyl alcohol before transferring.
Salesforce
Fill out the Audio Transfer Elements section
Audio Material Type
Audio Speed
Audio Reel Size
Audio Track Configuration
Audio Sound Configuration
Audio Transfer Notes (This is just to be used for internal notes, this does not go to the client)
BUG REPORT
You’ll also need to fill out all of the Video Transfer Elements, or Salesforce won’t let you save the record. This will be fixed.
Transferring
During the transfer process, monitor the audio and make notes about any momentary or constant errors. Make sure to pass on as much information about the audio to the client.
There are two Salesforce fields where we put information about the audio quality. Each has a slightly different format:
Technicians Notes
This field contains info about the audio quality in general
Here are some common notes
Audio Buzz
Audio Hiss
Native Clipping
Wow and flutter
Low recording levels
Timecode Stamped Notes
This field contains info for momentary errors, or any content of note specific to a certain time.
Use the following format for each instance:
HH:MM:SS - This is a timecode stamped note;
HH:MM:SS - Every note but the last ends with a semicolon;
HH:MM:SS - The last note does not have a semicolon
Post-Digitization
Exporting the file
Trim the audio to the appropriate length and according to project/client specs
Default is 5 seconds or less of silence at the tail or head
Press File -> Render
Select the proper Sample Rate and Bit Depth, according to the recording specs
Name the output files appropriately
BAVC#######_ClientID_Face##
Press Render 1 File
Updating Metadata
The transcode engine will automatically insert metadata into the files. This needs to come from the following fields in Salesforce:
Audio Metadata: Title
No apostrophes or quotes!
Audio Metadata: Artist
Use artist or interviewee name is possible
Audio Metadata: Date
Must be in format YYYY-MM-DD
Audio Metadata: Album
Use collection name if possible
Creating Derivatives
transcodeEngine.py can process audio files
Select 1 derivative
Select MP3
Select bitrate (default is 320kbps)
Moving to the SAN for QC
If not mounted, mount the SAN
Select Finder
Go -> Connect to Server… (or ⌘K)
Server address is smb://presfsan
Make sure there is a folder on the SAN for the Opportunity
rsync -av –progress [path to sounce file/folder] [path to destination folder]
Backup file on PresRaid
If not mounted, mount the PresRaid
Select Finder
Go -> Connect to Server… (or ⌘K)
Server address is smb://presraid
Make sure there is a folder on the PresRaid for the project
rsync -av –progress [path to sounce file/folder] [path to destination folder]
Salesforce
Once this is all complete, fill out the following fields: