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dbx noise reduction

 
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jasbart
Been Here Awhile


Joined: 26 Sep 2006
Posts: 293
Location: Gilbertsville, KY

PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:04 am    Post subject: dbx noise reduction Reply with quote

This is way off-topic for the VOBB, but here goes anyway. I have some old 15" reels of master audio mixes that were originally encoded using dbx. I would love to be able to transfer them to a hard disk. My problem is, since they're 30+ years old, I can't remember if they were encoded using dbx I or dbx II. I do remember us having to return to the Champaign, IL studio from Nashville to retrieve the studio's dbx box, because the Nashville mastering lab didn't have the right dbx box. So I'm inclined to believe that the mastering lab had dbx I (pro) and the studio in Champaign, IL had dbx II ("semi-pro"). It also makes sense that the semi-pro equipment was used because the recordings were made in a little 8-track studio. I can see the box now, with the teak sides and everything.

So, any of you old-timers have an opinion? I've found a few boxes on ebay and they're not expensive. And I believe that any version of dbx II box will play back a dbx II encoded tape (right?). The only thing that makes me hesitate is that dbx II was developed for home reel-to-reel (7.5 ips) and cassette.

It would be nice to have to buy only one box.

Thanks! Jim
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Chuck Davis
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 4:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If my memory serves me correctly, I remember a set of four rackmount/2channel DBX II processors that were mounted under the 1/2"/8-track Studer recorder that was in my WAAF prod room when I first arrived in '93. If you could find something like that...I'd think you'd be golden. That stuff may still be in storage. I'll ask the engineering peeps for you.
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Mandy Nelson
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was going to say what Chuck said...I'm not an old timer (cough, cough, I'M NOT) but I cut my audio production teeth on reel-to-reel. Do you have your own machine to play the tapes on? I would love to hear all about this process. I'm sure I don't have to tell you to be VERY careful with tape that old or that your deck should be properly calibrated to it's original standard to make sure everything flows right. And make sure if you're buying it off ebay that it comes with the whole power cord!
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Chuck Davis
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Shucks...I still have a Tascam 42/2-track in my studio. It just doesn't "feel" like a studio without a tape machine. I really only use it for
"scratch" effects in radio imaging....that and...sentimental value,

Engineering geeks unite!

I still have a DAT machine too. Should I seek out a support group?
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Mandy Nelson
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

OMG, no support group needed. I think we can be our own little support. I use the DAT every day!! I use it for back-up for each and every session. It's saved me a couple of times (like that really important coached phone patch session that went on for 3 hours and was all numbers). Dan built a wooden case for it with a handle so we could bring it to the Hatch Shell and feed off the sound board to record the Boston Blues Festival (we help to put on the show) then digitize that stuff to make CDs. The DAT shall live forever, I say.

As for the reel-to-reel, I'm trying to post a picture of my first edit but it's not working so just go here: http://picasaweb.google.com/mandysound/Audio/photo#5237139547808041506

When we bought this house there was a small r2r in the attic and we asked if the guy would throw it in. I think he was glad he didn't have to get rid of it. Sadly, it's still up there after 6 years but it made the house feel like destiny.

May I sharpen your grease pencil?
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Chuck Davis
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looked at your "first edit" pic. OMG...you're a geek too!

Gotta meet you guys some day...there's a bunch of stuff and probably even more people we have in common!

Totally in agreement on DAT's usefullness. You just have to treat those tapes very well....you know.
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bobsouer
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mandy and Chuck,

Though it's not plugged in, I have an open reel deck in my studio (and boxes upon boxes of archived recordings of various and sundry sorts in storage), too. Don't know that I'll ever use it again, but don't know that I won't.

And Mandy the problem with your photo post is because this board's software doesn't like punctuation and pound signs in URLs.
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Mandy Nelson
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

bobsouer wrote:

And Mandy the problem with your photo post is because this board's software doesn't like punctuation and pound signs in URLs.


Thanks, Bob. Too bad all I do is punctuate and pound, though. Sarcastic

Chuck, I wish I was more of an audio geek! I changed majors the day I saw my first live recording of a band at WERS.

All hail the reel-to-reel (but not too aggressively because any sudden movement may cause the tape to twist or snap).
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jasbart
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks everybody for your input. Yes I have a Tascam 32 2 track in very good condition for playback. I've gone through a lot of tape in the past 5 months, some is in great shape (Ampex) some is goo (that great Capitol tape we got for free from a salesman). I think I'm going to see if I can pick up a dbx II unit off ebay tomorrow, and pray that the recordings in question were actually encoded on a II and not a dbx I. It's not the end of the world if it doesn't work.

I'll tell you, I did a lot of editing on reels, and I went through a lot of DATs too, and I don't miss them at all. As a matter of fact I have a bunch of unopened boxes of AMPEX DATS right here. I doubt they'll ever be used.

Oh, I also have the obligatory Teac 4-track too...

Thanks again!

Jim
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Mandy Nelson
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jim, I'll buy those DATS. no kidding. I've been talking about getting new ones for, um, years. Why toss a good machine that's working, especially if it's my back-up?!!?
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bobsouer
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mandy,

I think I have an unopened box of blank DATs as well. Maybe more than one. I just have to find them in all the boxes at the back of the studio. Give me a couple of weeks and then email me about them. You pay the shipping and they're yours.
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todd ellis
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

jim - if those tapes are that old - the point may be moot. depending on how they were stored, you might be dealing with one solid chunk of rust-coated plastic - or the oxide may just rub off on the play head of the RTR. i have had some luck with heating some old reels up in the oven (no kidding) about 10 minutes at 150-ish.
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Mandy Nelson
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bob, stop giving me reasons to love you forever!! I'll be sure to email you with my paypal account in hand.

Seriously, thanks so much.
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Manfillappsoc: The Mandy and Philip mutual appreciation Society. Who's in your network?

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jasbart
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The tapes in question roll off the reel fine...they're just dbx encoded. They're the master mixes that went to the mastering lab. I've played them here. If you've ever heard a dbx encoded tape played back without decoding, it's not a pretty sound.

Thanks, Jim
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Mandy Nelson
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

todd ellis wrote:
10 minutes at 150-ish.


I'm thinking 8mins 58 seconds on this one. 10 mins is a lot of time for tape. 9 mins is just fun.

Don't put the grease pencil in the oven though. Big no-no.
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