Mastering For Cassette

[Doug Hess Jr.]

I did a live recording for a gospel group. While I've got the CD master ready for duplication, I don't know the "rules and regulations" of making the Cassette master. If it is a :40 minute tape, do I need to use one for the master? Can I take a :90 or a :60 and record side one on side one and then turn it over at the right spot? I know how I do my own tapes at home...but do I include Dolby on my end or let the duplication house do it? How loud to I push the levels?
Or do I just send a CD with the songs in the right order and a list and let the duplication house make the master the way it needs to be?
Dough

[Grant]

I would just send in the CD master and let the dupe house make the adjustmants for cassette with any instructions...

[rchavez74]

Most dupe houses prefer a CD to make a bin-loop if you are making a lot of copies, or even a DAT if you have one, at least in my experience...

[Richard Feirstein]

First, if you are using two tapes to hold the material use exactly the same tape. Different lengths can have different output levels and bias requirements.

Second, be sure to use a tape formulation your machine was eq'd and biased for; typically TDK SA for Type II.

If you use Dolby ask the mastering house what they require. They may want a calibration tone to set levels. If your hardware lacks this ability they will give you instructions.

Be sure to record on a deck with Dolby HX Pro, even if you don't use noise reduction.

Do a practice run with different recording levels to nail a spot that does not saturate the tape (high end attenuation and distortion); then give yourself some head room for safety.

[Grant]

Richard,

The Dolby HX only works if the Dolby NR is used.