With the Fireface 800

Return to Digitization Procedures

1. Once the equipment is properly connected and setup, turn on the equipment in this order: the Mac G4 computer, the Mackie mixer, the Sony WA7ESA dual cassette recorder, the Fireface 800.

2. Open Audacity, and the Fireface mixer if it hasn't opened automatically.

3. In the Fireface mixer, select preset 8.

4. In Audacity, go to the File menu and select Preferences.

5. Check the following preferences: the 'playback' and 'recording' devices should both be 'Fireface 800'. The 'Sample Rate' and 'Sample Quality' should be as per your project's requirements. Click "OK" when the settings are correct.

6. Minimize the Fireface Mixer.

7. Fast forward and rewind your cassette (if you haven't already).

8. Press the 'Record' button in Audacity and press 'Play' on the cassette player.

9. When the tape finishes one side, press the 'Stop' button in Audacity and go to the File menu. Select "Export as wav" and choose an appropriate name for your digitization. Select an appropriate location to save the file (desktop or folder). Click save.

10. If required by your project, export the file as an .mp3 as well.

11. Verify the files you exported by listening to sections of the beginning, middle and end.

12. Go to the file menu and open a new file for side B.

13. Repeat steps 8-11 for Side B of the cassette.

14. When you're finished, close audacity, the Fireface Mixer, and turn off the equipment used for the digitization. If you were connected to the server, disconnect. Save your work to an appropriate location. Random files on the desktop of the computer will be deleted at the end of the work day.