[Vintage-Audio] Re Cassette Tape To CD Gremlins?

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Hi All,

I have noticed over the past three years that cassette tapes do not like to 
have their contents remastered as CD's. There is some sort of strange 
something present that often causes the CDRW deckto suddenly record static 
laden or distorted audio signals.

It only happens when I am trying to record direct from my high end Yamaha 
stereo single cassette deck direct to my standalone Sony CDRW deck or from 
the Sony studio grade DAT deck to the same Sony CDRW unit. In the case of 
using the Sony DAT, I have previously remastered the cassette tape to DAT.

The older the cassette is, the more likely this sudden static or audio 
distortion is to happen. When I was remastering the original recorded live 
audio tapes on cassette from 1981 and 1983 for the Historic Halligan Radio 
Project, HHRP, I spent about 100 hours on two different cassette tapes 
trying to get a CD copy that was acceptable!

Newer instrumental, instrumental + vocal, voice only cassette tapes are less 
of a problem.

None of these recordings used the higher quality metal tapes. Supposedly 
they were lower noice and improved the high frequency response. All the 
cassette tapes I worked with were either vintage eighties ferrite oxide 
grade or my own high grade "best quality I could buy" cassette tapes.

I have quite an elaborate and complex stereo system that I use. I will not 
elaborate on it here. If any of you want to know about it, write me direct 
and I will describe it to you. Thank you.

Suffice it to say, that all components are high end quality or professional 
sound studio grade.

Now, before you ask:

I have 12 gauge coaxial cable with 24K Gold plating on the RCA male 
connectors running from the amplifier Tape Out into the Sony DAT audio 
input, the same running from the DAT audio output back to the Tape Input. I 
also use the same kind of cable from the amplifier Aux. Output into the Sony 
CDRW Audio Input and from the CDRW Audio Output back to the amps Aux. Input. 
I have checked all cables for issues and found none.

I have monitored the feed from the DAT deck to the CDRW deck prior to being 
burned, never hear any problem. Not even when it does distort! I only learn 
that it has happened after the CD has been burned, finalized and I am spot 
checking the new Master.

I have listened to the Master DAT tape to be sure there is no static on it 
or any audio distortion. It is perfect.

I have the record level on the DAT set about 10% below the loudest peak from 
the source.

I have the record level on the CDRW deck set about 5% below the highest peak 
on the DAT level digital meter display.

I have carefully cleaned the optics on the Sony CDRW deck, the Denon CDRW 
deck and my CD player. I have also used a special DAT cleaning cassette on 
the DAT deck. The three heads on the Yamaha cassette deck were cleaned using 
a surgical gauze pad and Isopropoyl Alcohol.

Have any of you encountered like issues when trying to convert cassette 
tapes into a CD format using standalone equipment? No, I do 'NOT' do any 
recording using a computer.

Thanks!







Duane Fischer, W8DBF - WPE8CXO
E-Mail: dfischer at usol.com
Hallicrafters web site: www.w9wze.net
HHRP web site: hhrp.w9wze.net