16 Jan
2019
16 Jan
'19
8:26 p.m.
Hi Joe,
Thanks for the reply. I know this part of the question isn't linux specific, but
presumably the AD converters in something like that aren't "as good" as
those in a more expensive device though? I guess my question is do I have to fork out for
a feature rich device such as one of the RME ones, or is there something with a more
limited feature set out there (eg only 2 channels) that is of equally high quality?
And then of course the linux specific question is -> Is it supported?
thanks,
Jordan.
--------------------------------------------
On Tue, 15/1/19, Joe Hartley <jh(a)brainiac.com> wrote:
Subject: Re: [LAU] USB interface for backing up old tracks mastered on cassette
To: linux-audio-user(a)lists.linuxaudio.org
Date: Tuesday, 15 January, 2019, 19:59
Hi,
Jordan. You can probably use a low-end interface like the
Behringer
UCA202 which runs around $30 US.
While certainly not great, I've found it
fine for playong audio out to my stereo and to
do the occasional cassette
or turntable
transfer.
--
======================================================================
Joe Hartley - UNIX/network Consultant
- jh(a)brainiac.com
Without deviation from the norm,
"progress" is not possible. - FZappa
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16 Jan
16 Jan
9:13 p.m.
New subject: USB interface for backing up old tracks mastered on cassette
On Wed, 16 Jan 2019 18:26:39 +0000 (UTC)
Jordan Muscott <augustusgorman(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
Thanks for the reply. I know this part of the question
isn't linux specific, but presumably the AD converters in something like that
aren't "as good" as those in a more expensive device though?
True. The Behringer is locked at 48kHz/16bits, and uses a fairly basic chip.
This is usually fine for CD-quality transfers. There are better chips one could
get, but I wouldn't be able to hear the difference in coming from a cassette.
I guess my question is do I have to fork out for a
feature rich device such as one of the RME ones, or is there something with a more limited
feature set out there (eg only 2 channels) that is of equally high quality?
You can, but for me it's a cost/benefit thing. Do you need 12 channels of
I/O? The high-end pre-amps? MIDI? ADAT or SPDIF? Not for the task of
doing tape to digital conversion. If you want a really great interface with
all of that, the Babyface Pro is top-notch, but is priced accordingly.
And then of course the linux specific question is
-> Is it supported?
Yes, the UCA202 is a USB compliant device, which means you plug it in, and it's
recognized as an audio interface in your system. Couldn't be easier!
I still use a UCA202 to do my tape and LP transfers into a Linux laptop,
even though I've got a Soundcraft MTK mixer at my disposal. It does only
one thing, but it's not bad at it.
Good luck!
--
======================================================================
Joe Hartley - UNIX/network Consultant - jh(a)brainiac.com
Without deviation from the norm, "progress" is not possible. - FZappa
10:43 p.m.
New subject: USB interface for backing up old tracks mastered on cassette
On January 16, 2019 9:12:54 AM HST, Joe Hartley <jh(a)brainiac.com> wrote:
On Wed, 16 Jan 2019 18:26:39 +0000 (UTC)
Jordan Muscott <augustusgorman(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
I've been using my UCA202 as output device and as stereo input from a small 10-channel
mixer. (The other audio sources plug into the mixer.) UCA just works on Linux (Debian and
Ubuntu). 48Khz/16-bit is better quality than my ears, my amp and stereo speakers can
output.
I'm happy with it.
--
David W. Jones
gnome(a)hawaii.rr.com
authenticity, honesty, community
http://dancingtreefrog.com
Sent from my Android device with F/LOSS K-9 Mail.
Thanks for the reply. I know this part of the
question isn't linux
specific, but presumably the AD converters in something
like that
aren't "as good" as those in a more expensive device though?
True. The Behringer is locked at 48kHz/16bits, and uses a fairly
basic chip.
This is usually fine for CD-quality transfers. There are better chips
one could
get, but I wouldn't be able to hear the difference in coming from a
cassette.
I guess my question is do I have to fork out for
a feature rich
device such as one of the RME ones, or is there something with a
more
limited feature set out there (eg only 2 channels) that is of equally
high quality?
You can, but for me it's a cost/benefit thing. Do you need 12
channels of
I/O? The high-end pre-amps? MIDI? ADAT or SPDIF? Not for the task
of
doing tape to digital conversion. If you want a really great
interface with
all of that, the Babyface Pro is top-notch, but is priced accordingly.
And then of course the linux specific question is
-> Is it
supported?
Yes, the UCA202 is a USB compliant device, which means you plug it in,
and it's
recognized as an audio interface in your system. Couldn't be easier!
I still use a UCA202 to do my tape and LP transfers into a Linux
laptop,
even though I've got a Soundcraft MTK mixer at my disposal. It does
only
one thing, but it's not bad at it.
Good luck! 
17 Jan
17 Jan
10:59 a.m.
New subject: USB interface for backing up old tracks mastered on cassette
Hello Jordan,
Thanks for the reply. I know this part of the question
isn't linux specific, but presumably the AD converters in something like that
aren't "as good" as those in a more expensive device though?
The Behringer UCA202 has a decent quality TI Burr-Brown DA converter
inside, nothing wrong with that. The cassette player and cassette itself
are probably more important. Most cassette players have a frequency
range up to like 12kHz or even less, not sure about the frequency rates
of cassettes themselves. But you're referring to metal cassettes which
have the highest maximum frequency rate. These rates are nothing the
UCA202 can't deal with as they're way within the rates the device can
capture.
Best,
Jeremy
11:25 a.m.
New subject: USB interface for backing up old tracks mastered on cassette
On Thu, 17 Jan 2019 09:59:01 +0100
Jeremy Jongepier <jeremy(a)autostatic.com> wrote:
Hello Jordan,
I would say that of greater significance is noise level, In comparison to even
the most basic interface, cassettes are very noisy (even when using Dolby
systems). As for frequency response, it's a highly variable quantity, and (for
metal tapes) is dependent almost entirely on the *playback* machine, and it's
the head gap width and alignment that is critical - recording can have a much
wider gap size. With a good quality machine you should just about get to 18kHz
For the best possible results, you should fast wind each tape first to loosen
it up, then clean the heads, and while playing a track adjust the head settings
(height as well if it's available) for maximum hf output consistent with
minimum crosstalk. Although tedious, you should do this for each tape.
HTH
--
Will J Godfrey
http://www.musically.me.uk
Say you have a poem and I have a tune.
Exchange them and we can both have a poem, a tune, and a song.
Thanks for the reply. I know this part of the
question isn't linux specific, but presumably the AD converters in something like that
aren't "as good" as those in a more expensive device though?
The Behringer UCA202 has a decent quality TI Burr-Brown DA converter
inside, nothing wrong with that. The cassette player and cassette itself
are probably more important. Most cassette players have a frequency
range up to like 12kHz or even less, not sure about the frequency rates
of cassettes themselves. But you're referring to metal cassettes which
have the highest maximum frequency rate. These rates are nothing the
UCA202 can't deal with as they're way within the rates the device can
capture.
Best,
Jeremy
1:16 p.m.
New subject: USB interface for backing up old tracks mastered on cassette
My 4-Track Yamaha does 40 Hz to 14 KHz, a good HiFi cassette player
should be way better. Regarding frequency response the cassette
player's maintenance is much important, to allow proper recording.
If the tape heads and capstans were demagnetize on a regular basis, the
recording quality of a good cassette player isn't that bad, so high
quality digitisation might make an audible difference. However, I don't
know if a cheap audio interface is good enough, but the interface might
be just a part of the digital chain, sample frequency, dithering, good
software are important, too. I tested mastering my 4-Track recordings
with a Yamaha DAT recorder at 32 KHz, 12 bit (2 Hz to 14.5 KHz), which
was good enough for most recordings, but sometimes it did cause
artefacts. 48 KHz, 16 bit (2 Hz to 22 KHz) was always good.
Comparing my RME HDSPe AIO Linux audio recordings of high quality
audio signals (I never recorded audio from a cassette player with
Linux) with the Sony DAT recorder, the audio quality of the DAT
recorder is way better, while the monitoring of the RME HDSPe AIO is
without audio flaws, issues are present when playing with Linux
recorded audio signals.
However, we don't need to discuss any claim, neither Jeremy's 12kHz,
nor my Linux recording issue claim, instead just order an audio
interface, make a few test recordings and if you shouldn't be
satisfied, return the audio interface to the dealer. Important is only
what you are able to hear.
Btw. the audio quality of my Behringer ADA8000, my Focusrite Scarlett
18i20 (2nd gen), my TerraTec EWX 24/96 and a Presonus 1818VSL I
returned to the dealer is less good, than what my end of the 80s cheap
Pioneer HiFi amp is able to perform, just the audio quality of the
RME HDSPe AIO beats the aged HiFi amp's audio quality.
I wonder, if the analog domain of a Behringer UCA202 could keep up with
the output of a good HiFi cassette player. The cassette player output
does bias the sound, as well as the analog input of a cheap audio
interface.
--
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4.20.2.arch1-1
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4.19.13_rt10-0
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linux-audio-user@lists.linuxaudio.org
5 comments
6 participants
participants (6)
-
David W. Jones -
Jeremy Jongepier -
Joe Hartley -
Jordan Muscott -
Ralf Mardorf -
Will Godfrey