Subject:Recording Quadraphonic albums

Posted by: reh001

Date:4/7/2012 3:16:37 PM

Hi - I am new to sound editing other than digitizing my old stereo albums. I have over 500 quadraphonic albums, and purchased Sound forge 10 to be able to create digital files in 4-channel. I am waiting on delivery of an E-MU 1616M PCIe Audio Interface to give me the 4 channels of input. I'm looking for advice on the best way to take these recordings and create a digital file that will play back in the same balance across 4 and only 4 channels. I'm confused by some of my research - but I picture something like this:
1. Assign each channel in to the corresponding multi-channel out in SF10. have no input for the center channel.
2. Record in real time. Question is will I have to record one song at a time to get the metadata straight?
3. Save as a WAV file with 4 channels. Is this the best format to preserve the original composition and balance? File size is not an issue from a storage perspective.
4. Will I be able to play these 4 channel files through ITunes, or will I need a different player? I will be playing on a Yamaha AV receiver in straight mode
5. Anything else I should be thinking of? Is there any way to automate any parts of this?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Subject:RE: Recording Quadraphonic albums

Reply by: ChristoC

Date:4/7/2012 5:27:17 PM

If you get the Audio I/O Settings correct SF can do what you want.
When Recording there is a Quad Mode to select which makes 4 channel files, and you can monitor the outputs while you record (if ASIO).
Must record in real time! Could record whole side then break up into titles .... I imagine you'd have to find a workflow which works for you; it will be time consuming whatever you do!
SF can save as a 4chan WAV. That is best format to archive as it is not data-compressed. You sensibly get a single interleaved file with these attributes:
File format: Microsoft wave format
Channels: 4 < front-left, front-right, back-left, back-right >
I don't know if or what happens when you play these files in iTunes.... possibly the rear channels are mixed into Front, or just ignored; I try to live in a iFree world :-)

Subject:RE: Recording Quadraphonic albums

Reply by: Geoff_Wood

Date:4/8/2012 3:06:33 AM

Why not record them all in Vegas , save the original WAV files for the future, and output it to a 5.1 AC3 file to put onto a DVD so you can actually play it ?!! The AC3 Studio encoder in SF will not do 5.1 (?) - you need to pay extra for the 'Pro' version. But not in Vegas.

Unless you are happy to be stuck with playing back 4 channels from your computer only.

geoff