Preserving Audio And Video Recordings

There is a lot more to transferring a tape then popping it in and taking it out when it's done. Even the standalone machine designed for this purpose can not do nearly as good a job as a professional. Professional digitizing is a skill and an art, where the engineer works to produce the best possible sound and picture. Each recording has its uniquenesses and the digitizing process for one recording may be different than for another.

Work starts from the beginning. Inspecting and cleaning the material, selecting appropriate hardware, setting levels. Monitoring and adjusting throughout. Once transferred (and in some cases before), scrubbing the recording, applying filters and equalization. Also involved is the restoration work- damaged segments, hisses, pos and clicks, bringing a barely audible speaker to the forefront, reproducing the "warmth" of the LP. Or making the necessary video edits to compile a 10 minute "highlights" sequence.

For additional information or to speak with an engineer, please fill out the contact form on the Digitize-It! website. Our lab is located in Emeryville, California.