[peel] Re: Peel shows on VHS

[Stuart]

If you are using an old copy of Audacity you may not be able to use variable
bit rate encoding to mp3, and with itunes you would need to use a plugin
http://wiki.audacityteam.org/index.php?title=Lame_Installation Advanced MP3
encoding with LAME in iTunes


"Although iTunes uses its own MP3 encoder, not LAME, you can run the LAME
MP3 encoder inside iTunes with
<http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/13048> this plugin.
Encoding to MP3 in iTunes using this LAME plugin will also allow you to use
<http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Variable_bit_rate> variable bit rate,
<http://harmsy.freeuk.com/mostync/> joint stereo and other encoding options
not currently available in the stable release of Audacity."

Though 320kpbs constant bit rate should be fine and that would be available
from itunes and standard Audacity

 

Stuart

 

  _____  

From: peel@yahoogroups.com [mailto:peel@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of steve
Sent: 19 May 2011 03:23
To: peel@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [peel] Re: Peel shows on VHS

 

  

If you're using a Mac, it very easy to use iTunes for converting an aiff to
mp3.

Add the aiff file to iTunes, go to the Advanced menu and select "Create Mp3
Version".

--- In peel@yahoogroups.com <mailto:peel%40yahoogroups.com> ,
"vegetablesman" <vegetablesman@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
> 
> Thanks for the interest and sorry for the delay in my reply. The advice
did help. I ended up using an older version of Audacity. I had a few
tracking problems and had to dig out a different VHS recorder than I'd
intended for digitising my first show. 
> 
> I grabbed a tape at random and have now digitised a complete programme
which I believe to be from 25th February 1998 ( I hope this doesn't step on
anyone else's toes). I think the sound quality is pretty good but would like
other opinions before I digitise any further tapes.
> 
> I have the programme in .aiff format and would welcome tips on converting
to flac and mp3. I would also like to know the best place to upload the
programme.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> 
> --- In peel@yahoogroups.com <mailto:peel%40yahoogroups.com> ,
"billfromnorthwales" <billfromnorthwales@> wrote:
> >
> > 
> > Hello vegetablesman
> > 
> > Did this advice from Stuart help?
> > 
> > Do you need any more advice or step by step guides we will all try to
assist.
> > 
> > I think your recodings are encoded on HiFi video, and so still get
almost 20-20khz full sound response even in LP mode, so are likely to be the
highest quality available, up there with metal cassettes.
> > 
> > It would be great to help you get them digitised, let us know....
> > 
> > 
> > --- In peel@yahoogroups.com <mailto:peel%40yahoogroups.com> , "Stuart"
<stuartb@> wrote:
> > >
> > > HI
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > I assume that when you say they are recorded in stereo that they are
> > > recorded in hifi mode (i.e. using the flying video heads rather than
the
> > > little linear head used in non-hifi VCR decks).
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Having had a lot of experience with playing back old recordings that
way,
> > > the most critical thing is really to make sure that the tracking is
spot on.
> > > If not there will be all sorts of nasty interference (much like on a
badly
> > > tuned FM station). A good deck should be able to align the heads
> > > automatically on playback but manual tracking may be required to get
it just
> > > right. As long as the recording deck was in good condition at the time
(no
> > > creasing of the tape by worn pinch rollers for example) and the deck
you
> > > have now is still in good condition, you should have no problem.
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > The old mono soundtrack will not sound very good, in fact much worse
than an
> > > audio cassette, but is more robust. I don't think there is a way of
altering
> > > a tracking of a mono soundtrack to improve quality. (without taking
the deck
> > > apart)
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Coming to the Mac I have heard that Audacity can be a problem to get
> > > working, but this page
> > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_free_software_for_audio lists a
number
> > > of alternatives.
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Assuming you do get a sound out of your VCR and into Audacity or such
on the
> > > mac, just make sure that there is no clipping on the record levels,
and save
> > > to flac and high bit rate mp3. (I use 220-260kbs vbr)
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Good luck
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Stuart
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > _____ 
> > > 
> > > From: peel@yahoogroups.com <mailto:peel%40yahoogroups.com>
[mailto:peel@yahoogroups.com <mailto:peel%40yahoogroups.com> ] On Behalf Of
> > > vegetablesman
> > > Sent: 02 May 2011 20:44
> > > To: peel@yahoogroups.com <mailto:peel%40yahoogroups.com> 
> > > Subject: [peel] Peel shows on VHS
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Hi,
> > > 
> > > I have a number of John Peel Radio 1 shows from the Nineties recorded
onto
> > > VHS video cassettes in LP mode. Almost all are complete programmes
taped in
> > > stereo from a good quality Rotel FM tuner receiving a strong signal. 
> > > 
> > > I would be grateful if anyone can provide some tips on getting the
best
> > > quality from these tapes when converting to flac/mp3. I am currently
using
> > > an old iMac PPC running OS 10.5.8 and have had some difficulties using
> > > audacity in the past.
> > > 
> > > Thanks for your help.
> > >
> >
>