Direct digital transfer to PC

[GRC]

I've got a collection of shows on DAT, and so far my modus operandi has been to playback on Tascam DA-20, transferring them digitally to an Alesis Masterlink ML9600 HDD recorder (http://www.alesis.com/product.php?id=4), therein insert track markers, make any EQ & level adjustments and burn to CD. If I then use EAC or similar to transfer the CDs to the PC for upload here, I get the impression the group would feel I've gone through a downgrade step and polluted the audio stream. Feel free to agree with me at this point.

If I were to upload any new shows here, I feel that most folks would prefer the flac or shn files to be obtained direct from the DAT master. So what I need is ;

(a) to carry the DAT machine upstairs to be close to the PC, or vice versa
(b) connect digi out from the DAT to digi in on a suitable soundcard
(c) suitable software to receive the bitstream and save as .flac

Now I'm sure some dilgient googling would get me the answers to (b) and (c), but if anyone out there has done something similar to this already, and has any recommendations, not just for suitable hardware / software but any hints and tips, then post away.......

Thanks.

Regards, Graham :hmm:

List of shows (http://www.grc.me.uk/trade_list_header.htm) (incl. all my analogue back catalogue)

[AAR.oner]

as far as the least expensive route, i would probly pick up a Emu 1212 or similar, and then you can use a freeware program like Audacity to capture/track/normalize/DC offset correct...

i would stay away from any EQ/noise reduction/filters, most purists prefer to make those adjustments on the playback system and leave the show unadultered...unless yer a mastering engineer, but then you probly wouldn't be asking this question if you were ;)

http://www.emu.com/products/product.asp?category=505&subcategory=491&product=9872
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/

and here is how to track using Audacity:
Simplest method using Audacity and xACT:

1. Open your wave, Edit->Move Cursor...->Track Start and hit command-B.
2. Locate all your track splits and mark each one by hitting command-B.
3. Go to File->Export Multiple, select WAV as the export format, Split files based on:Labels, Name files:Numbering consecutively, hit Export.

You'll now have a nice set of consecutively numbered split tracks but they are not cut on sector boundaries. Fear not.

4. Open xACT and go to its fix SBE tab.
5. Add your freshly split WAV's, making extra sure that they appear in the correct order. Ignore the MD5 options, select your output format of choice and hit the Fix button.
6. Admire your handiwork.