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98.23.18.15
Presently, I use an Alesis Masterlink to make 24/96 digital recordings of vinyl. The Masterlink digital recorder also allows me to normalize volume, split tracks, insert fades in-between tracks in addition to a number of other DSP mastering functions that I do not use. My point is that I can record and master my recordings before burning a CD-24 to get my completed recordings out of the Masterlink and onto a computer hard drive to play in my music server.
I would like to replace my Masterlink with a TASCAM DA-3000 DSD recorder, but it has none of the mastering capabilities of the Alesis Masterlink. I would need to transfer raw DSD recordings to my computer for mastering. Is there some reasonably priced software available that would allow me to do the necessary normalization, crops, splits, and fades so I can produce a finished DSD file? It would also be nice to be able to remove clicks and pops, but that is not critical. I'm basically trying to figure out if it is worthwhile to upgrade from my old Alesis Masterlink to a new TASCAM DA-3000.
Thank you for any advice and guidance you may have to offer.
Best regards,
John Elison
Follow Ups:
John,
If you don't need to edit DSD files directly - which it seems by consensus here is tough if not impossible - I can recommend Brian Davies' ClickRepair for pop and click removal.
If you explore this software, please note that the default settings are much more aggressive than you probably need. I find that when I use very conservative settings - and process the audio files in reverse, to avoid clipping musical transients - ClickRepair removes pops and clicks while leaving the music alone. I've tried everything from freeware to $1K software and this is the best I've found.
PS, I think it's $50 or so. PPS, no affiliation.
Cheers,
Glenn
I can recommend Brian Davies' ClickRepair for pop and click removal.
Agree completely though I confess I've only used its default settings. It seems I should perhaps be experimenting . . .
BTW, the documentation is excellent, in proper English even. (The English version, that is.)
I prefer to use tools that change only those portions of a file that have obvious defects. This is the best way to repair a file that has one or two clicks or pops, since there is no residual worry that one has somehow degraded the resulting sound quality, something that would require very careful subjective listening tests. Of course if there are hundreds of clicks and pops then using automatic operation might be necessary, if only to prevent carpel tunnel syndrome.
Tony Lauck
"Diversity is the law of nature; no two entities in this universe are uniform." - P.R. Sarkar
I prefer to use tools that change only those portions of a file that have obvious defects.
Were you to take the time to check out "ClickRepair", you'd discover that that's pretty much what it does.
Thanks for the suggestion. Next time I suffer with having a recording with numerous clicks I will check out "click repair" and see if if does a better job than iZotope RX in eliminating false positives (musical events such as bow strikes on music stands being falsely eliminated).
Tony Lauck
"Diversity is the law of nature; no two entities in this universe are uniform." - P.R. Sarkar
> I've tried everything from freeware to $1K software and this is the best I've found.
Thanks for the recommendation. I will check it out. I will continue to record at 24/96, but I will need to transfer the raw recordings to my computer for normalization, track splitting, click removal, and fades.
What do you think of Audacity? A friend uses it and likes it. I just downloaded a copy but I haven't installed it. Does either Click Repair or Audacity allow manual removal of loud click or pops. Most of my records are pretty clean except for an occasional click or pop.
Thanks again,
John Elison
Audacity is a godsend. Be patient. I've been using it for 5 years and it shames many premium suites. Not the prettiest interface and can be a bit clumsy at times, but I love it.
If you are planning on transferring to a PC anyway you may want to check out the UH-7000. Slightly better noise/distortion specs and less $$$. Of course you'd have to be willing to give up the ability to record as a stand alone device.
I think I would rather have a stand-alone digital recorder than can be connected to the balanced tape loop of my Pass Labs X1 control preamplifier.
Thanks,
John Elison
I'm not very familiar with 'pro gear'. It appears that you will still need the phono pre for gain and RIAA equalization prior to the Tascam. And would you then connect the phono preamp outputs to one of the 1/4" TRS jacks? And the UH-7000 is PCM only, right? And if you're going to edit, then PCM is what you need.
Given all the various reasons to edit vinyl transfers, IMO it makes more sense to capture them in PCM in the first place. You will lose when converting DSD back to PCM. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on your analog to digital converter, editing software, etc...
Tony Lauck
"Diversity is the law of nature; no two entities in this universe are uniform." - P.R. Sarkar
I think you're right! I'm concluding from all the responses in this thread that I should stick with PCM rather than switching to DSD. It's just that I have a couple of good friends that think DSD is the greatest thing since sliced bread and I probably need to replace my aging Alesis Masterlink anyway. Of course, the TASCAM DA-3000 also records in high-resolution PCM formats as well as DSD, so I still might invest in one. The greatest disadvantage of the Alesis Masterlink is that I have to burn a CD-R to transfer files to my computer. That is really a pain in the ass. On the other hand, the Masterlink's mastering capabilities are very convenient. The TASCAM DA-3000 is strictly a recorder without any mastering capabilities so I will have buy software to do the things I've been doing directly on my Masterlink. However, I think you're right about sticking with PCM versus DSD.
Thanks,
John Elison
The easy is answer is NO.
There is no software available to you to create the types of edits you need.
I dub master tapes to DSD and use Korg Audiogate just to split tracks and tag.
The Normalize functions are useless, you cannot specify a specific value.
I would strongly suggest using 192 Khz PCM and Audacity for edits, where you can basically do anything..apply fades, remove noises, fade, apply gain, normalize, compress etc..the software is amazing.
DSD is ultimately a superb minimalist archiving tool.
Perhaps I don't need to normalize if I can set the record volume correctly. Therefore, I can live without normalization. I need to be able to insert fades at the beginning and end of individual tracks. According to the Korg Audiogate webpage, it says that Audiogate software can accomplish fades in addition to splits. The only problem is that I have to buy a Korg component in order to activate the Audiogate software.
Thanks for your input.
Best regards,
John Elison
You can try to get that "perfect" digital recording level, but you may drive your self crazy. I have not yet found meters that are 100% accurate.
Yes I believe you can do fades with audiogate, but I am not sure if the fades can be exported.
Yes, you must buy a Korg product to activate the software, but there is a way around it. You can use it for free as long as you send a "tweet" out before every edit you make. You may want to shoot your self first. :)
I don't think DSD files should be edited. Maybe split, but not normalized and faded. From what I've read, editing should be done using a multi-bit file.
Yeah, I probably don't need to normalize, but I require the capability to acomplish fades. I just hate it when a song begins with an abrupt volume increase. I like to use a one-second linear fade-in and a gradual fade-out so I don't have to listen to vinyl groove noise in-between tracks.
Thank you, though.
John Elison
Once I read a post by a recording engineer.
He took the part of the DSD he wishes to fade.
Converted it to PCM
Applied the fade
Converted back to DSD
Replaced the part with the faded part
Single bit is simply not editable.
The Well Tempered Computer
That is why I said it is an archival, final digital format.
Or it can be used as the initial capture, then converted to PCM, where it can remain.
Korg DOES let you split tracks at least with no trouble. EQ, compression, etc, forget it.
Korg AudioGate is essentially a completely free DSD playback/editing/conversion application, but more recently, version 3.2 has traded much of its prior incarnations most useful editing functionality for a spiffier interface chiefly limited to playback....
I believe that version 2.2 is the one to search the net for, which shouldn't be too hard for a resourceful chap !
Archived page referenced here: http://www.sonicstate.com/news/2011/09/14/korg-updates-free-audiogate-conversion-software/
Current page here: http://www.korg.com/us/news/2014/0203/
Alternatively you could make your life a heck of a lot less painful and lose nothing (some may argue a small loss or possibly an even larger gain !!)... by remaining in the high-res PCM domain, (perhaps even extending your present 96khz ceiling to 192-384khz) which will also afford you a larger range of recording/editing applications from which to select.
An excellent (and very reasonably priced) example, specifically suited to your application is AlpineSoft VinylStudio:
http://www.alpinesoft.co.uk
Which as of version 8.6 can also record to DSD:
http://www.alpinesoft.co.uk/VinylStudio/dsd.aspx
Of course, you may find that after all is said and done better sonic results may ultimately be achieved not by virtue of the digital side of the equation, but starting at the beginning and upgrading your table/arm/cart or phono preamp !!!
Whichever route you take I'm sure it will be a lot of fun all the same, so enjoy yourself and mostly the music of course ;-)
Thank you for all the great information. I like the sound of Korg Audiogate software, but apparently I need to buy a Korg recorder to activate the software.
Thanks again,
John Elison
Indeed the application was rather useful....
There was only one requirement for using versions 2.2-2.3.3 (which were offered for free, not requiring Korg product ownership) : you were required to link a twitter account to the player. The player required that you sent a tweet when you first used it and every time you converted a file, not when routinely replaying files however.
The current version has imposed numerous limitations to its functionality, the most obvious requirement being that you need to own a relevant Korg device in order to even register it !
Versions 2.2 & 2.3.3 can still be sourced if you're curious to explore the possibilities.
The linked article may also provide some information of interest.
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