# Service to dump multi-track tapes to hard-disk **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 22, 2001, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-to-dump-multi-track-tapes-to-hard-disk/62915 "2001-04-22T23:10:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2001, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-to-dump-multi-track-tapes-to-hard-disk/62915/1 "2001-04-22T23:10:09Z")
About 15 years ago I had a small recording studio in my bedroom. I long ago got rid of my multi-track recorder. I’ve still got a ton of tapes and would like to play with them in Cakewalk. Does anyone know of a service that can do that conversion? The tapes were recorded on a Tascam 80-8 (without the dbx option) 1/2" 8 track recorder. One detail: I used one track to record SMPTE, (to sync to Midi) and it’s key that the resulting files I get end up being synced in time to this as well. I’ve still got the SMPTE reader. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2001, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-to-dump-multi-track-tapes-to-hard-disk/62915/2 "2001-04-24T22:42:35Z")
Anyone? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-to-dump-multi-track-tapes-to-hard-disk/62915/3 "2001-04-25T22:43:57Z")
Please? ---
**Author:** ![KeithB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@KeithB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KeithB)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-to-dump-multi-track-tapes-to-hard-disk/62915/4 "2001-04-25T23:13:13Z")
while I have never heard this type of answer on this board, the best place for this type of info is on USENET in rec.audio.pro ---
**Author:** ![KeithB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@KeithB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KeithB)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-to-dump-multi-track-tapes-to-hard-disk/62915/5 "2001-04-25T23:15:36Z")
Oh, and FWIW, I think the only way to do this is to rent a studio that has the equipment you need and do it yourself. It will be expensive, but since any “service” will have to do the same thing, it would cost just as much. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2001, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-to-dump-multi-track-tapes-to-hard-disk/62915/6 "2001-04-25T23:34:58Z")
here [http://www.mindspring.com/~phammock/capab.html](http://www.mindspring.com/~phammock/capab.html) These folks claim to be able to take 1/2 8 track and convert to digital formats. and here [http://sites.netscape.net/valkyriesteven/Music.html](http://sites.netscape.net/valkyriesteven/Music.html) “16 Track Analog Recording Digital Recording and Editing CD, DAT, 1/2” Analog or Cassette Masters File Conversion and Digital Mastering" and maybe here [http://www.coloradosound.com/equiplis.html](http://www.coloradosound.com/equiplis.html) However, if you’ve got a “ton” I imagine the conversions would be fairly pricey (call and see) you would probably be better off buying a TASCAM 8 track via ebay and doing the transfer yourself (ie stereo line or headphone out to soundcard stereo in) if this is an option (not familar with 1/2 8 track deck output options). TASCAM 80-8 8 TRACK 1/2" TAPE RECORDER & DBX [http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1231884980](http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1231884980) Ends PDT Apr-27 19:13 TASCAM 80-8 8 TRACK 1/2" TAPE RECORDER & DBX $280.00 9 bids ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-to-dump-multi-track-tapes-to-hard-disk/62915/7 "2001-04-26T02:05:55Z")
Thanks **astro** and **KeithB** ; that’s great stuff. When I say “tons”, I really mean about 15 reels, so it’s not really that much. As far as buying equipment, I really don’t want to do that. I had a working studio for some time, and there’s quite a bit to getting everything going, so I’d much prefer to spend a few extra bucks to someone who already has a studio in operation that can convert these. As an aside, I’m crying over the low price of the 80-8 on ebay; music stuff depreciates almost as bad as computer stuff. I still have a garage full of sound equipment that I layed out $10s of Ks for, thats now probably worthless. And worse than worthless, it’s fun toys for somebody and right now it might as well be at the city dump for all it’s being used. ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-to-dump-multi-track-tapes-to-hard-disk/62915/8 "2001-04-26T04:44:40Z")
\Bill… \ Gonna do any spring cleaning in the garage?\ Actually, I’m dirt po’ right now… never mind… ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2001, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-to-dump-multi-track-tapes-to-hard-disk/62915/9 "2001-04-26T08:17:58Z")
Hmmmm. If the right person came along and they had a secure practice space set up, and it was geographically close to me (San Jose), and I trusted this person to take care of it, I would love to set it up in their space in return for access to use it occasionally. I’ve got some bitchin stuff (or it was bitchin 15 years ago). 24x16 super-clean mixer (it’s analog though). 6 foot high rack filled with sound modules and effects. Cables galore, a couple of keyboards, DAT, etc. Unfortunately, I see you’re in GA. If you happen to move, look me up.