DAT tape transfer to Mac

The headphone socket is an output, not an input.

you need to go from the line out to the line in on the Mac.

You can record into Soundtrack at 16 bit 44,1Khz quality, then bounce to iTunes as an MP3 or output as an .aiff file.

You'll need to select the Line in input in the sound section of the System Preferences, then select the input in Soundtrack.

Mister Three,

Just curious, you didn't want to transfer digitally using the Tascam's SPDIF output? Many audio interfaces, even some cheap ones, can receive digital audio that way. The Mac's line in - while it works - is not really a marvel of audio recording technology.

I guess it all depends on what source material you have to transfer, and how good you need it to sound in the end.

- Martin

AviationFan said:

Just curious, you didn't want to transfer digitally using the Tascam's SPDIF output? Many audio interfaces, even some cheap ones, can receive digital audio that way. The Mac's line in - while it works - is not really a marvel of audio recording technology.

Click to expand...

There's no indication that the OP has an external audio interface.

Do I need another cable?

Click to expand...

In order to use a digital input you need either an external USB or Firewire audio interface device with the correct type of digital input, or a Mac that has a digital optical input and a DAT player with a digital optical output.

Your Tascam has SPDIF digital in and out (the orange RCA jacks in the side panel photo here)

But the Mac has no corresponding SPDIF jack, so you would have to invest in some interface equipment.

Mister Three said:

I do want the best quality available

Click to expand...

Then I would recommend getting an external audio interface, even if you were planning to just transfer analog sound. But since your DA-P1 has a digital out, you might as well go all digital. CanadaRAM explained in his post what you need. As you shop around for audio interfaces, ask yourelf if you also have a need for analog I/O, and if so, how many simultaneous channels. For multi-channel I/O, FireWire is usually the preferred connection to the audio interface.

- Martin

Limited optical iMac input?

CanadaRAM said:

There's no indication that the OP has an external audio interface.


In order to use a digital input you need either an external USB or Firewire audio interface device with the correct type of digital input, or a Mac that has a digital optical input and a DAT player with a digital optical output.

Your Tascam has SPDIF digital in and out (the orange RCA jacks in the side panel photo here)

But the Mac has no corresponding SPDIF jack, so you would have to invest in some interface equipment.

Click to expand...

My 2007 iMac has an optical audio input (minijack).

I'm attempting to digitally transfer audio from the optical output of a Sony DAT DTC-ZE700 to the optical input on the iMac via a Toslink cable. However, the iMac doesn't register any incoming sound through that connection.

Hooking up a CD player or MiniDisc player optically to the iMac via the same cable and input on the iMac, I get plenty of incoming sound. But why doesn't this work with the DAT?

I'm worried the iMac can't handle the DAT's output above 41,1Khz, but I can't seem to confirm this anywhere. If this is the case, what do I need to set up a digital transfer?

Thanks in advance for your help and advise.

Heidemus said:

I'm worried the iMac can't handle the DAT's output above 41,1Khz, but I can't seem to confirm this anywhere. If this is the case, what do I need to set up a digital transfer?

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I don't think that's the problem. I found this article in the Apple support area that states that 41.1kHz, 48kHz or 96kHz are possible:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306513

Not sure why it's not working with your DAT.

- Martin

Solution: external soundcard for iMac?

AviationFan said:

I don't think that's the problem. I found this article in the Apple support area that states that 41.1kHz, 48kHz or 96kHz are possible:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306513

Not sure why it's not working with your DAT.

- Martin

Click to expand...

Thank you for your detective work. It probably doesn't work because a lot of my tapes were recorded in Long Mode, ie 32Khz. A lesson learned the hard way.

This leaves me with the decision to either transfer analogue (last resort only) or go via some sort of external soundcard/hardware for the iMac. Suggestions for the latter are very welcome.

Thank you again, Martin.

Heidemus said:

Suggestions for the latter are very welcome.

Click to expand...

I'm very pleased with my Echo AudioFire 8. I only use it for analog I/O, but the specs say it supports sample rates from 32kHz - 96kHz for the S/PDIF input and output.

http://www.echoaudio.com/Products/FireWire/AudioFire8/specs.php

I bet there are cheaper solutions available if all you need is a digital interface, I just don't know any.

- Martin

Any recommended S/PDIF -> USB devices?

I also have a DA-P1 ... and I've got a mountain of live music DATs recorded over the years that I'd like to digitally move to my 2008 Mac Pro.

Does anyone know of a simple USB device that'd let me do coaxial S/PDIF out of the DA-P1 into my Mac?

Thanks!

I'm glad I found at least one thread on this topic....

I've looked everywhere and I can't find any concrete answers to how to use the optical input on modern Macs. It's kind of sad too because I use to be a Mac Genius, I just never heard complaints from people about digital INPUT, was always output.

I have been wanting to record some digital sources and can't figure out if I'm missing something or if the logic board is defective because it was just replaced for other reasons about a month ago. I'm using the optical cable that is normally the output from my Mini to the TV. I have tried inputting with my PS3 and also straight from the TVs optical out. The input never changes or reports any sound input in system preferences so I was surprised when the OP here reported he had 2 sources working in his. I tried putting on the most basic sound settings on the PS3 and it was still a no go.

Next step is to boot my unibody MBP from tiger or leopard and see what it does and then do the same with the Mini because that didn't seem to notice any input either...

What should i buy to transfer DAT tapes to my Imac??

Hi Guys

can you help ?
I am wanting to transfer Dat tapes straight to my Imac 10.6.4 ?
any advice welcome

cheers
Thejimness

thejimness said:

Hi Guys

can you help ?
I am wanting to transfer Dat tapes straight to my Imac 10.6.4 ?
any advice welcome

cheers
Thejimness

Click to expand...

Did you ever get any help on this? I'm trying to do the same thing and am pretty audio-challenged...I'm on 10.6.5 though and working with FCP7.

Thanks!

I'm the same situation. I have some DAT tape recordings also. I have a Sony PCM-M1 DAT recorder. But it doesn't have S/PDIF. But I do have input into my Mac Pro using my Digi 003 Factory. I therefore bought a used DAT Player/Recorder from Ebay. It was a TASCAM DA-20mkll that has S/PDIF in and outs. If will see if it works when it arrives, but I figure the used DAT player was a good investment of 150.00, to be used as both a player and recorder.

UPDATE: I used S/PDIF out of my Tascam into my Digi 003 S/PDIF input. I captured using PT 9> No problems, Timecode was synced via S/PDIF and inported with success. i can now export from PT9 via OMF to FCP 7 or into my Logic 8 for sweetening.

Also looking to transfer DATs to MacBook Pro

Greetings all. I'm in the same boat as a few others here. I've got a Panasonic SV3700 DAT deck with the RCA digital coaxial cable output. I want to transfer my DATs digitally to my MacBook Pro (10.5.8). I've got the analog input - which I obviously do not want to use, but no other digital inputs other than USB and Firewire (400 and 800). Here's my sad story hoping for some help - I'm taking care of my nearly 4 year old twins this summer - so I do not have time to search far and wide for solutions. If someone who has solved this problem would post a reply with the following: 1) you need this cable, 2) you need this piece of equipment, and 3) you need this software to deal with your file and then get it to iTunes. I've got CD Spin Doctor and Toast which I've been using for cassette tapes. Cheers, the tape doctor