Audio Tape Transfer Service /Tascam DA-88 Tape Pro Transfer Service

Tascam DA-88 Tape Pro Transfer Service

Tascam DA-88We can transfer your DTRS multitrack audio tapes (Hi-8), both 16 and 24 bit depths, originally recorded on the Tascam DA-88, DA-38, DA-98, DA-78HR, DA-98HR or Sony PCM-800, with any number of tracks/tapes to multiple digital audio files in the .wav or .aiff files format. This will allow you to digitally remix the tracks in a modern day Mac or PC DAW (digital audio workstations) like Pro Tools, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic Pro X, Garage Band, or Reaper. We have well maintained machines standing by that are perfectly synchronization with a precise master clock distributed to all machines for a sample-accurate synchronized transfer. Contact us now for a quote and directions on sending us your tapes.

A WORD OF CAUTION: Many online services have found ways to take shortcuts at the expensive of quality, by recording from the analog outputs from these machines. As this format is entirely digital, taking shortcuts degrades the quality, as there is an additional layer of Digital to Analog, and Analog to Digital conversion, which is not a pure transfer of data and may introduce noise and distortion. Others use a DAW audio track striped with timecode to output to the machines (usually one at a time), which may not be sample accurate and can very well cause dropouts. We do not take any shortcuts by any means. We employ the TASCAM proprietary I/O for a pure digital transfer, along with a word clock lock for a completely sample-accurate transfer. This is the only way to preserve the quality and achieve a true 1:1transfer. Don't settle for shortcuts. Your recordings deserve the very best quality.

DA88 tapeDTRS multitrack audio recorders could each record up to 8 tracks, and multiple machines could be synched together. It was not uncommon to have projects recorded with a single deck (8 tracks), 2 decks (16 tracks), 3 decks (24 tracks, the most popular configuration), 4 decks (32 tracks), 5 decks (40 tracks), or 6 decks (48 tracks) synced together. DTRS tapes were most commonly used with the TASCAM DA88 (and less commonly with the Sony PCM-800) 16 bit machines in the early 90s. Later the 24 bit decks became available, the Tascam DA-98, DA-78HR, DA-98HR in the late 90's and early 2000s.

Some of the most popular DTRS tape brands include:

  • HHB DA60
  • HHB DA113
  • Quantegy DA8, (most common tapes we see)
  • Sony DARS-30MP
  • DARS-113MP

When the DA88 was originally released, TASCAM officially recommended the following brands:

  • Hi-8 MP (Metal Particle) SONY, TDK, FUJI, BASF, 3M, DENON and KONIKA
  • Hi-8 ME (Metal Evaporated) SONY, TDK, MAXELL, and BASF

Pro Tools session with 16 tracksTASCAM did not recommend any specific tape models from these manufacturers, and a wide variety of HI-8 tapes were used over the years. Just like with many other digital formats, any HI8 tape could be formatted and used with the TASCAM or Sony machines, so if you find a HI-8 tape in your studio with hand written notes on the label like "Master 16bit / 44.1 KHz" or "Master 1 of 3" etc., you are likely looking at a tape recorded with a DTRS machine. You will always see the DTRS logo on tapes designed specifically for DTRS compatible machines.

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Why Choose Deep Signal Studios?

  • File conversion work and tape transfers can be tedious and frustrating. Your time as an artist is better spent working on your music and mixes on a platform you know.
  • All work is completed by certified engineers with over 20 years experience with DAWs, MIDI sequencers, notation software, synthesizers, samplers, and tape machines. We have comprehensive knowledge about everything that has come and gone, as well as all current and emerging platforms.
  • Services are performed by native English speakers in the recording capital of the world, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Your files are secure. All work is performed in-house and in strict confidentiality. Client files are archived for 30-days upon completion of the project, and promptly destroyed thereafter.