Archival equipment
From DM Live - the Depeche Mode live encyclopedia for the masses
Jump to navigationJump to search
The webmaster has the following equipment at his disposal to digitize or transfer several different formats.
Audio cassette tapes
Nakamichi Cassette Deck 1
- Three head, closed-loop dual capstan transport with pressure pad lifter
- Manual playback azimuth adjustment, allowing best frequency response of a tape that was recorded on any other device
- Upgraded with:
- Pacific Stereo Universal Capstan Motor
- Two underspec'd capacitors in the playback amplifier circuit replaced with high-quality audio-grade properly sized ones; see this thread for more details
- Serviced:
- Calibrated according to A.N.T. Audio's stellar alignment tapes
- Fresh capstan drive and back tension belts
- Thoroughly cleaned and demagnetized regularly
- Output stage:
- 6 foot premium 3.5mm to RCA cable -> ASUS Xonar DX sound card (32-bit depth and 96khz sample rate) -> Adobe Audition CC 2014.2 (32/96)
- Each tape is fully wound (fast forwarded) and then rewound to ensure tape spools are properly packed with the least amount of potential friction due to lengthy storage
- Azimuth is optimized per tape, sometimes per each individual tape's side
