>I am mostly concerned about the quality of the cassette tape desk. >What s=
hould be the minimum requirements in order to keep the quality >of the reco=
rdings?
>We are applying for funding to get this equipment so, what would be >a goo=
d cassette tape desk?
Hi Marcelo,
Yes, you are right that the most critical component would be the cassette t=
ape desk. Even the built-in sound cards (line inputs) of most computers wou=
ld probably be sufficient for this application (note that the dynamic range=
of cassette recordings is quite limited)
Unfortunately, I cannot provide recommendations on specific models.
Though, I believe that it might be useful to select a unit that allows to a=
djust the playback head alignment (azimuth) in order to be able to minimize=
the effects of potentially misaligned tape heads in the original recording=
s. This kind of alignment can improve the frequency response that can be ob=
tained from the original recordings (different alignments between the recor=
ding and playback units can attenuate the high-frequency contents of the or=
iginal recordings).
>One more question: Does the quality of the cable connecting the tape >desk=
with the computer matter?
No, the cable usually does not matter.
However, under some circumstances (if both units are powered separately fro=
m the mains power) so called "ground loops" can introduce strong electrical=
interferences. For this reason, a few external USB or FireWire audio inter=
faces have integrated ground lift switches that can eliminate these potenti=
al interferences.
Regards,
Raimund
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