Recovering a tape recorded at a variable speed -Sound Forge - PC

Subject:Recovering a tape recorded at a variable speed Posted by: BrianJK Date:12/21/2007 1:11:35 PM I have been asked to convert a reel to reel tape to digital. Digitizing the tape is not an issue. However, the tape plays as if the recorder had no capstan allowing the tape speed to increase as the diameter of the takeup reel grew. I've repitched audio before but only when the error was constant. This error gets worse as the tape plays. I'd appreciate any suggestions regarding the best workflow for re-pitching the whole tape. Thanks. Message last edited on12/21/2007 1:12:52 PM byBrianJK.
Subject:RE: Recovering a tape recorded at a variable Reply by: Chienworks Date:12/21/2007 2:22:39 PM Effects / Pitch bend. Start by finding a pitch change that works for the beginning of the tape and the end of the tape. You can set nodes at the beginning and end of the graph for those two values and Sound Forge will gradually change between them. Unfortunately the tape speed change probably isn't linear so you may have to add a couple more nodes inbetween. Probably the speed will change faster at first, then slower and slower as time goes on. It shouldn't take too many nodes to get it close enough though.
Subject:RE: Recovering a tape recorded at a variable Reply by: BrianJK Date:12/22/2007 10:37:36 AM Thanks for the speedy reply.

Subject:Recovering a tape recorded at a variable speed

Posted by: BrianJK

Date:12/21/2007 1:11:35 PM

I have been asked to convert a reel to reel tape to digital.
Digitizing the tape is not an issue.

However, the tape plays as if the recorder had no capstan allowing the tape speed to increase as the diameter of the takeup reel grew.

I've repitched audio before but only when the error was constant. This error gets worse as the tape plays. I'd appreciate any suggestions regarding the best workflow for re-pitching the whole tape.

Thanks.

Message last edited on12/21/2007 1:12:52 PM byBrianJK.

Subject:RE: Recovering a tape recorded at a variable

Reply by: Chienworks

Date:12/21/2007 2:22:39 PM

Effects / Pitch bend. Start by finding a pitch change that works for the beginning of the tape and the end of the tape. You can set nodes at the beginning and end of the graph for those two values and Sound Forge will gradually change between them. Unfortunately the tape speed change probably isn't linear so you may have to add a couple more nodes inbetween. Probably the speed will change faster at first, then slower and slower as time goes on. It shouldn't take too many nodes to get it close enough though.

Subject:RE: Recovering a tape recorded at a variable

Reply by: BrianJK

Date:12/22/2007 10:37:36 AM

Thanks for the speedy reply.