I agree with Marie. Many spoken word recordings have the potential 
for phonetic analysis--whether that was the original intention for 
the recording or not. Get the best digital signal you can (though, 
frankly, in my experience, more than 24-bit, 48 kHz is a waste of 
space), which means doing it in real time.

Barbara Need
Manager (SS4), Computer Support, Archivist
Language Labs and Archives, University of Chicago

At 9:31 -0600 13/2/06, Marie O'Connell wrote:
>I work with spoken word/oral histories all the time, and it is my
>recommendation that to make a digitized preservation copy/master, that it is
>done in real-time.  I work with both reel-to-reel and cassettes, with speeds
>ranging from 15/16ths to 15ips. 
>
>I believe there is a requirement to get the best quality from spoken word
>recordings.  In fact, in terms of preservation work, real-time is the only
>way to go.  I'm sorry, it may take longer, but it is worth it.
>
>Cheers
>
>Marie O'Connell
>Sound Archivist/Audio Engineer
>The Center For Oral History & Cultural Heritage
>The University Of Southern Mississippi
>118 College Drive #5175
>Hattiesburg, MS, 39401-406
>Ph: 601-266-6514
>Fax: 601-266-6217
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
>Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2006 11:22 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] 1/4" audio tape digitizing
>
>I am working with two libraries to digitize their audio content.  The  audio
>
>is now in quarter inch tape format for the most part.
>
>I understand that, for spoken word recordings where absolute top quality is
>
>not a requirement but digitization is, that there are 1/4" machines that
>play
>at  higher than normal speed, making the process of transferring a great
>many
>tapes  more cost-effective and less time-consuming.  Could anyone recommend
>what  these machines might be and how much time they save.
>
>I would also love help and a recommendation regarding the best
>organizations
>to work with if I have to outsource much of this work.
>
>Thank you,
>David Hoffman
>_www.thehoffmancollection.com_ (http://www.thehoffmancollection.com)