Thanks for your input Dave, very cool. I'm not sure what our policies were in terms of handling but haven't tried to listen to many of these tapes yet (though I don't doubt many of them are 12/32 'LP' tapes).  Can you comment on how you did the 32kHz digital transfers though, in as much detail as you can remember? I understand that the difference between remaining digital and D-A-D may be minute, but would love to be humored :) 
Aside - I'm looking at your site now, looks fascinating!
E

May 2 2017 4:29 PM, "Dave Radlauer" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> On topic DAT:
> 
> I've transferred 32 Khz DAT both digital and analog output. Seems little
> difference, and it's usually compromised audio to begin with.
> 
> And another dirty little secret about DATs is that at the time, most folks
> just didn't observe proper insertion and removal discipline . . . AT tape
> ends ONLY. Bits of dust, creases, moisture and fingerprints that were
> deposited on the tape surface were because this discipline was not observed
> and the source of most dropouts, IMHO.
> 
> Plus it wouldn't reproduce a low frequency square wave worth a squat I'm
> told.
> 
> I think DAT is a horrible archival medium requiring highest priority
> capture. But I've found it to be amazingly robust in practice with tapes
> that were properly handled.
> 
> It's a crying shame so many albums were mastered to DAT -- without even
> outboard converters. Lou Judson and I saw that done at a shop where we
> worked and are both guilty!
> 
> Client DATs of 180 minute duration are most vulnerable. I never recorded
> to lengths greater than 120 minutes.
> 
> Dave Radlauer
> 
> -- 
> 
> cell and text# 510-717-5240
> www.JAZZHOTBigstep.com
Eli Bildirici
(347) 837-8337