Reader recommends DAK phono digitizing system

The software interface is easy to use.

technofile
Al Fasoldt's reviews and commentaries, continuously available online since 1983

Reader recommends DAK phono digitizing system

July 24, 2010

I received this letter after the publication of my column on reducing noise when making digital recordings from phonograph records.


   I thought I'd make sure you know about the DAK system (www.Dak.com). Using your own turntable, with its regular jacks, this system includes the matched electronic interface to plug into your sound card (the board has 2 channels so you can keep a turntable and a tape deck attached, a slide mixer -- which I don't use much -- and, of course, signal input controls with LEDs) and all the software.
   The software interface is easy to use and includes all sorts of capabilities for recording and editing, as well as click, pop, and hiss (mainly on tapes) noise removal. It can be self-timed and left unattended for recording, and you can rip album tracks in less than a minute or two with little experience. It is the best stuff I have come across for this, and service is great.
   Cost: $69.90.
   If you want a full digital equalizer, that will run an extra $15-20 and it works well.
   Best of all is the common sense design of all this; you can pre-name files on an album or tape and designate where they will be stored. Also, the software never overwrites old files that have been modified with equalization, noise removal, pitch or speed adjustment (yes, they can be done separately), etc.; new extensions simply save new editions.
   I am not usually a shill for any products, but this stuff is at least as good as advertised, and the price is low.

   Dale Tomlinson