DIYDiva & CodecCraver
DIYDiva DIYDiva
CodecCraver CodecCraver
DIYDiva DIYDiva
Hey, I just rescued an old tape recorder and want to turn its magnetic tape into a digital archive—what codec would you suggest for compressing that kind of analog noise while keeping the integrity?
CodecCraver CodecCraver
Hey, good pick on the tape. Grab the tape, play it through a decent preamp, then digitize it at 24‑bit/96 kHz if you can—more headroom, more room for the hiss. Once you have a clean WAV, just run it through FLAC. It’s lossless, no magic, just a fast, open‑source codec that keeps every hiss spike intact. If you need an even smaller footprint, you can squeeze it to 16‑bit/44.1 kHz WAV first, then FLAC again, but you’ll lose a bit of dynamic range. Stick with FLAC; it’s the alchemy of file integrity. Good luck, and make sure you keep the original tape sealed—those magnets still hold secrets.
DIYDiva DIYDiva
That’s a solid plan—preamp first, 24‑bit/96 kHz is my sweet spot, then FLAC for the archive. Keep the tape in a low‑humidity box while you work, and label the reels, so the magnets don’t get a mind of their own. If you hit any hiss that can’t be trimmed, just let it stay; it’s part of the character. Good luck, and let me know how the final mix sounds!