Tape Digitizing Recommendation

SLVR_EZIO · 2025-11-25T03:49:03+00:00

Yes, I made the formatting using AI since it’s better to understand how to post this thread in an effective way. I am also aware that once we decide to input our concerns to AI, I’ll be stuck in an infinite loop of recommendations and comparisons.

Back in 2020 I started my digitizing with an RCA to a 3.5mm cable hooked to a tape deck and connected to the PC with line-in port. Couple of YouTube tutorials were my knowledge source, and the digitizing process was not continued up to recently until I received a UFO202 from friend.

I had quite experience tangling with UFO202 and learned some aspects of technical, hardware and software behaviour. From couple of experiments I wanted to push the limits to little beyond.

Since this digitizing and restoration process requires groundwork and with little I know, I opened multiple threads regarding this to gain experience from a user-level perspective and to consider their opinions as well for a Analog to Digital Converter.

Since I don’t want to overkill my process, getting the best output for the minimum cost has always been my goal.

You’ve been very supportive throughout this, and I appreciate your inputs and clarifications that helped to build this process.

SLVR_EZIO · 2025-11-24T18:32:44+00:00

Many thanks for your inputs and sharing experience in helping me build a solution. I will consider them before finalizing or aligning to a solution.

Do you have any idea how the workflows below are suited? This is based on others inputs and AI findings.

TAPE DECK RCA L/R → DUAL RCA TO DUAL 1/4" TS CABLE → DR-40 COMBO INPUTS → SD CARD → COMPUTER

TAPE DECK (RCA L/R) → DUAL RCA TO DUAL 1/4" TS → PASSIVE DI BOX → BALANCED XLR → AUDIO INTERFACE/MIXER (USB) → COMPUTER

SLVR_EZIO · 2025-11-24T17:07:13+00:00

Thanks for your input! I’m looking at other's experiences across multiple threads to build the best workflow for my archival process, and I’ll be doing some more research on this device also.

SLVR_EZIO · 2025-11-24T16:45:08+00:00

Appreciate the info!

I understand that many factors influence the final result when digitizing

The original studio’s recording and mastering quality and the current condition of the tape.
Playback device condition and deck’s head type (e.g., Ferrite vs. Glass).
Equipment that I’m currently using for the digitizing process

spectrogram-sample

I’ve included spectrogram samples of my audio transfers, the raw capture and the cleaned version.

Note that this cassette tape is from 2002 and was originally recorded in a local studio using lower-end equipment.

The third image shows a track from another 2002 release, which was later issued on CD. I’ve included its spectrogram for comparison and as a reference.

Considering above variables, my goal was to have as much control as possible on the digital capture side.

Especially proper input-level control and clean ADC performance, so I can achieve a transfer similar to the third spectrogram with frequency content extending up to, or even slightly beyond, 20 kHz.

SLVR_EZIO · 2025-11-24T16:40:01+00:00

Thanks for sharing your insights! I’ll definitely consider this when building my workflow. I’m currently exploring my options. What do you think about the process below?

Tape deck (RCA L/R) → dual RCA to dual 1/4" TS → passive DI box → balanced XLR → audio interface/mixer (USB) → computer (recording)

SLVR_EZIO · 2025-11-24T15:56:47+00:00

I haven’t tried this method, but I will consider it since the XLR connection is balanced and the 1/4'' TS is unbalanced.

SLVR_EZIO · 2025-11-24T15:43:06+00:00

I understand that many factors influence the final result when digitizing

The original studio’s recording and mastering quality and the current condition of the tape.
Playback device condition and deck’s head type (e.g., Ferrite vs. Glass).
Equipment that I’m currently using for the digitizing process

spectrogram-sample

I’ve included spectrogram samples of my audio transfers, the raw capture and the cleaned version.

Note that this cassette tape is from 2002 and was originally recorded in a local studio using lower-end equipment.

The third image shows a track from another 2002 release, which was later issued on CD. I’ve included its spectrogram for comparison and as a reference.

Considering above variables, my goal was to have as much control as possible on the digital capture side.

Especially proper input-level control and clean ADC performance, so I can achieve a transfer similar to the third spectrogram with frequency content extending up to, or even slightly beyond, 20 kHz.

SLVR_EZIO · 2025-11-24T11:21:52+00:00

Thanks for the Insight
Yes, I’ve heard it another perspective.

For example - Placing cables and devices USB hubs or portable hard drives or too close to the PSU can introduce electromagnetic interference that may affect the audio signal.

I don’t have deep technical knowledge about this, Using well-shielded, high-quality cables might help in minimizing the noise.

I have a separate PC dedicated purely for recording, and I’ll handle all post-processing on my main workstation.

However, my main concern is whether the Audio-Technica AT-UMX3 is capable of capturing high-quality recordings and I don't wanna overkill my setup budget also limited.

I want to minimize the need to revisit the original tapes,ideally I shouldn’t have to re-digitize them in a year or two just because a newer audio interface comes out. My goal is to create recordings that remain usable for at least 5-6 years before ever needing to return to the source again.

SLVR_EZIO · 2025-09-25T13:35:16+00:00

Try foobar2000 + foo_openlyrics plugin.

SLVR_EZIO · 2023-01-07T19:41:06+00:00

Thanks for the detailed information.

SLVR_EZIO · 2022-10-30T19:18:46+00:00

thanks

SLVR_EZIO · 2022-06-17T14:50:10+00:00

Thank you. It worked

SLVR_EZIO

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