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Re: [ARSCLIST] Cassette obsolescence - digitizing standards
Hi Mike:
I know your friend well and while I'd like to see the output happen faster, I sure love every gift
of wonderfully recorded music he sends my way. He loves to do it the way he does and it keeps him
alert, engaged and happy at a very advanced age. So, while you and I might never hear the whole
treasure trove, the more important thing is that it's OWNER and creator is enjoying it to the end of
what must be a longer road than he might have imagined.
-- Tom Fine
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Richter" <mrichter@xxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 11:41 AM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Cassette obsolescence - digitizing standards
Tom Fine wrote:
I think copying ANYTHING "on autopilot" is a bad idea. We're paid to be the ultimate quality
control regulator. The work is actually done by the machines. So our only really important job is
NOT to hit play and go get a cup of coffee or pick up the phone. Throughout the history of
recorded sound, nearly or every bit of great-sounding material was done very much hands-on.
One man's opinion.
-- Tom Fine
Not everyone on this list fits that description. More to the point, at times the criteria for a
job may vary from those one would like to maintain.
I have a friend with a priceless collection of recordings he made fifty to sixty years ago. One of
his jobs was as audio director for what was to become NBC-TV. (Another was playing fiddle in
Toscanini's band, but that's several other stories.) He is a perfectionist in transferring his
tapes and will let no one else handle them, but at his age and with the obligations he has
assumed - and those his wife has assumed for him - his output is a trickle. He has already lost a
substantial number of recordings to a 'flood of the century' and is in danger of losing more.
I have tried to persuade him that a safety copy is the first requirement, but he is adamant. I
respect his position, but I agonize each time I read of a storm on the East Coast. I am also
fearful that he is relying on the accuracy of his hearing aids not only to equalize but also to
set level and to detect flaws. The first recordings he sent me (the Toscanini memorial concert
with its three conductors) went into clipping at several spots - and he was unaware of the error.
Are those tapes worthy of archival transfer? By my judgement, they are and at far better than
44/16. But they must be transferred while he is still alive since I've no confidence that his
widow will rescue them if he predeceases her. Between ideal digitizing and getting something onto
disc, I have no doubt which is more pressing.
Mike
--
mrichter@xxxxxxx
http://www.mrichter.com/