--- Forwarded Message from Jeff La Favre <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Fri, 28 Jun 2002 09:47:27 -0400
>From: Jeff La Favre <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: RE: Recording from cassette into computer
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Organization: John Carroll University

Your computer sound card may be the cause of the problem.  However, I
would first check the settings you are using for the digital recording.
In my experience (for uncompressed wave format), recording with 8-bit
samples results in poor recordings, regardless of the quality of your
hardware.   Make sure you are recording with at least 16-bit samples (I
use 11.025 khz sampling rate with 16-bit samples for voice).

If you are recording in a compressed format, try an uncompressed format
to check for improvement.  If there is, then your compression CODEC
should be avoided (or try another one).

I have found the following computer sound card to be excellent for
digitizing sound from a cassette recorder:
RME DIGI96/8 PST   (about $400)

I use a Tascam 102 MK II cassette recorder.

Jeff La Favre
John Carroll University
[log in to unmask]



>We have faculty who would like to record from cassette directly into
our
>Language Lab computers using LINE IN.

>While it does record, the audio quality is very poor, unacceptable for
their
>use. Has anyone dealt with this problem before? Is it because we are
>bringing analog sound into a digital source? If we invest in higher
quality
>sound cards will this help?

>I'm not worried about formats or compression, etc at this time. Once I
get
>higher quality .wav files I can deal with converting them later.

>Any insight you can provide would be much appreciated.

>Thanks!

>Jim Millard
>Senior Technology Support Specialist
>Instructional Technology Center
>Saint Michael's College
>DL337, Box L
>Colchester, VT 05439

>(802) 654-2983