Audio Tape Digitisation Workflow

3.8. Post transfer quality control


WHY:
It is recommended that all tapes be actively listened to while the analogue-to-digital transfer is being undertaken. After the transfer, a waveform display and some digital instruments may be used to confirm what you hear. There are also ways to automatically monitor and detect signal faults. The savings in time are obvious, but the automatic systems seem to achieve their greatest benefit on largely homogeneous collection. In most research and heritage collections the material requires individual treatment and therefore, the automated system's benefits are far less.

HOW:
For example, a frequency or spectrum analyzer can be used to locate and identify components of hums or other repetitive anomalies. An X-Y scope may be useful for analyzing phase. There are special automatic systems that are included in audio digitization systems, such as Noa or Quadriga.

If you find any anomalies in the digital recording, go back to step 2.1. If you find that the anomalies are caused by damage to the tape, go back to step 1.1.

SEE:
Consult the manuals of your digitization software and hardware.
 
The QUADRIGA Audiofile-Inspector

AudioInspector: File analysis

Nadja Wallaszkovits & Dietrich Schüller: Quality Control in (Outsourced) Preservation Projects




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