need DAT/PC interface recommendations

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

In article <56c69f5b.0410020437.7a423561@posting.google.com> audiowannabe@hotmail.com writes:

> I need to digitally transfer several analog and digital
> recordings to and from a laptop. I'm looking for a box
> (something akin to an external sound card) that has as many of
> these features as possible:
>
> SPDIF in
> SPDIF out
> usb or firewire in
> usb or firewire out
> analog audio in

> plus; I'd consider an interface with 8 channels in (and ADAT out,
> for going to another recorder) if I could also use it to get to
> and from the DAT deck via SPDIF.

Go to a music store that has a recording department, even Guitar
Center. There are so many of these available that you really need to
narrow your choice down. This product category is just like Alice's
Restaurant - you can get anything you want. All you need to do is
decide what you want and how much you're willing to pay for it.

> Anybody have something they'd recommend? Or perhaps somebody has
> something they'd recommend avoiding? Thanks in advance.

Buy something brand new, not something a few years old that looks like
a bargain. Otherwise there will be issues with drivers, and there may
be compatibilty issues with the USB device in your computer. Also,
every generation's A/D and D/A converters get better, though
manufacturers still continue to surround them with mediocre analog
circuitry and power supplies so you may not get the full advantage of
the technology improvements.


--
I'm really Mike Rivers (mrivers@d-and-d.com)
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

FredbobJackson wrote:
> I need to digitally transfer several analog and digital
> recordings to and from a laptop. I'm looking for a box
> (something akin to an external sound card) that has as many of
> these features as possible:
>
> SPDIF in
> SPDIF out
> usb or firewire in
> usb or firewire out
> analog audio in

Do you want/need to preserve markers on the DAT tapes? That limits your choices significantly.




> I need to be able to go from DAT to the PC, or from a tape deck
> to the PC, and from the PC to DAT. If it's possible to get
> something with more than 2 analog inputs, that would be a big
> plus; I'd consider an interface with 8 channels in (and ADAT out,
> for going to another recorder) if I could also use it to get to
> and from the DAT deck via SPDIF. Rack mount isn't necessary, but
> would be cool.

RME comes to mind for laptop use. Both FireWire and PCMCIA options are available.




> Wall wart power is a BIG negative.

If you want 8 channels of analog with a laptop, you're going to need an external power supply to feed your interface. Many of them are wart-like. The RME gear will take a wide range of external DC voltages and ships with a laptop-like line lump. Beware of boxes that have AC wallwarts--most will NOT run on batteries without an inverter.