How to Convert Reel to Reel Tape to CD
Although converting reel-to-reel tape to CD takes a bit of time, resources and preparation, backing up audio from analog reel-to-reel tapes is very important in the preservation and archiving of audio recordings from the past.
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Instructions
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1
Open Pro Tools and create a new session.
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Click “File,” “Save,” and name the Pro Tools session.
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Click “Track,” “New Track,” and create 2 mono audio tracks.
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Name track 1 “Left” and name track 2 “Right.”
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Set the input of “Left” to Pro Tools input 1.
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Set the input of “Right” to Pro Tools input 2.
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Plug the left output of your reel-to-reel tape machine into Pro Tools input 1.
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Plug the right output of your reel-to-reel tape machine into Pro Tools input 2.
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Play back the audio on the reel-to-reel tape machine and adjust the input gain of input 1 and 2 so that their average peaks are at the same level. Make sure that the inputs do not clip during playback of the loudest audio on the reel-to-reel tape.
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Rewind the reel-to-reel tape machine.
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Arm tracks “Left” and “Right” for recording by pressing the record button on each track.
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Arm Pro Tools for recording by pressing the record button located at the top of the edit window in the transport.
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Press play in Pro Tools to initiate recording.
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Press play on the tape machine to begin playback.
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Stop the tape machine once the audio has finished playing. Then press stop in Pro Tools.
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Highlight the audio that Pro Tools has recorded and click “File,” then “Bounce to Disk.”
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Name the audio file that you are bouncing, choose where you would like to save it on your computer and press “Bounce.”
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Close Pro Tools when the bounce has finished.
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Open iTunes and click “File,” then “New Playlist.”
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Name the new playlist that appears on the left-hand side of iTunes.
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Press “File,” then “Add to Library,” and select the file that you bounced from Pro Tools to import it into iTunes.
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Drag the audio file that you imported from the iTunes library into the playlist you created.
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Click on the playlist to highlight it.
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Click “Burn Disc” in the bottom right-hand side of iTunes.
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Insert a blank CD-R and select “Burn.”
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