How do I DAT sound into my computer and NLE PremerePro1.5?

[Tore Krudtaa]

Hi.

Have some sound recordings from a DAT recorder.

I'm considering buying Edirol's "UA-1D USB Digital Audio Capture" to get it into the computer.

Here is a link to that product.

http://www.edirol.com/products/info/ua1d.html

With this solution I'll guess the hardware should be okay.

Now... They say nothing of what kind of software I would need to get the sound into my computer.

So... do you have any suggestion on what software I need.

I want my DAT footage into PremierePro1.5.... so I guess I need something for:

1. Capturing the footage from the USB unit above.
2. Converting the DAT footage to a fileformat PPRO understand.

I'm looking for budget solution without degrading the sound.

Using WinXP-Pro.

Any suggestions.

[Dennis Liu]

I think with DAT you just play the files linearly and have software recording on your computer.

On Vegas you just have a new audio track and use the record arm thing and record straight onto the tracks. After you reord it should be a .wav file. I'm not sure about Premiere but I'm sure there's a similar function in that.

Dennis

[Tore Krudtaa]

Okay...

But what software do I record the DAT stream or sound on the computer with?

And which format should I convert that captured sound to in order to use it in PremierePro1.5?

[Dennis Liu]

http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/311497.html

I just searched on the Adobe site, dunno if this is helpful. You can just record straight into your NLE if you don't have a separate audio editor/program (like, ProTools, SoundForge, etc.). In the case of Premiere, I think by default it goes to Windows Sound Recorder or something.

As for audio format, Premiere should be able to read 90% of whatever format your file is in, but it is most likely a .wav (PCM 16 bit 44.1/48kHz).

Dennis

[Jeremy Davidson]

Take a look at Goldwave -- it's a nice application for working with audio files, and it's cheap. I use it for adding some last-minute touches to my audio recordings (I do semi-professional audio work in addition to video). I'm guessing that the USB device you mentioned will appear just like any other sound device in Windows.

Once you record the sound, just save it as a WAV file and import it into Premiere. I'd highly recommend setting it to 48Khz 16-bit stereo as this is the format used by both DV and DVD (I believe DAT can record at that sampling rate also, so just keep it that way all through the project and you should be fine).

The Sound Recorder application mentioned in another post will work, though it's very simplified (it can record, play, and save... not much else). Still, if that's all you need, go for it -- it's free (though I could not get it to record longer than sixty seconds at a time). The USB device may also come with some basic software.

You might even want to check your computer's sound card -- some already have digital SPDIF I/O built in.

http://www.goldwave.com

[Douglas Spotted Eagle]

In your Sound card, you'll likely have a SPDIF connector. Same with the DAT player.
Set up Vegas to record at the same sample rate as the DAT/SPDIF output. (Likely 44.1)
Enable a track in Vegas to record. Chose the SPDIF inputs as your input device.
Hit record in Vegas, then hit play on your DAT.

[Tore Krudtaa]

Hello and thanks for the replies.

I'll try to import using the default windows app first.

If I get the 60 sec limit that Jeremy encountered then I'll try using the goldwave software. Thanks for that tips.

Yes I have S/Pdif digital in on my computer and S/Pdif coax out on my DAT recorder so because of that the USB edirol converter.

I'm using PremierePro1.5 for now (evaluation version) have not bought it yet. Unless someone gives me a very good reason to by an other NLE like Vegas.

To "Douglas Spotted Eagle". You are most welcome to give me a reason to go for Vegas instead of PremierePro1.5. I do not have any special feelings for any of them. Exept that PremierePro1.5 up til now have worked very fine.

Thanks again to all for the replies.