Convening Great Lakes Culture Keepers, Lac du Flambeau, WI October 23-24, 2014 Basic Audio-Visual Digitization and Preservation by Stacey Baldridge

Step 1: Look at the materials Cassette tapes, reels, family photos, CDs and DVDs Quality of the items Is cleaning or repair needed? Digitizing machines

Digitization ≠ preservation What is digitization? The process of transforming analog material into binary electronic (digital) form, especially for storage and use in a computer. (SAA) What is preservation? The professional discipline of protecting materials by minimizing chemical and physical deterioration and damage to minimize the loss of information and to extend the life of cultural property. (SAA) These are two very different terms; i.e. just because you digitized that VHS tape, and backed it up on your hard drive, does not mean that VHS will be preserved. The VHS must then be physically stored in a controlled, safe environment.

Common Audio Visual materials: Reel-to-reel tapes A long life span of about 40 years Are relatively sturdy compared to other formats Should be stored on their edges, not on their sides Playback equipment, especially for older, slower speed tapes is increasingly harder to find. Prioritize these for digital transfer You can get specialty materials for reels (blank tapes, etc.), but the market is very small and limited to audiophiles. Make sure to clean the reel heads every once in a while.

Common Audio Visual materials: analog audiocassettes New blank tapes and audiocassette players are still available Have a lifespan of about years, but tapes become brittle as they age ALWAYS make sure to test your tape player with a blank tape, or a tape that has no value. You do not want a ruined one-of-a-kind recording. Make sure to clean your tape deck’s heads every once in while with alcohol.

Common Audio Visual materials: Vinyl Records Currently enjoying a resurgence of popularity in the niche collector's market Possibly to get record players with built-in computer plug-ins for easy digital transfer Records should always be stored on their edges as well As records get older, they can crack and de-laminate

Common Audio Visual materials: CDs and DVDs Cheap, easy to use, and plentiful Can become scratched or dirty, which may affect playback There are no real statistics on the lifespan of CDs and DVDs, though some are definitely better (i.e. gold discs as opposed to your basic disc) The machine they are burned with may be faulty, and can produce errors Never rely solely on a CD or DVD to preserve your media! CDs and DVDs are a great way to share media, and can be used in home DVD players, cars, stereos, computers etc.

Storage Storage: Temperature, humidity and air circulation are important. Materials should be converted into uncompressed WAV. 44 khz/ 16 bit is adequate for most voice recordings.

Step 2: Software and hardware Edirol machine for audio capture. Connecting the wires: "input" and "output."

Step 3: Numbering and naming Unique identifier Naming and numbering schemes

Step 4: Let’s digitize Adjust the input volume Watch the sound wave and ensure that the item is digitizing correctly. Editing the digital item; removing background noise, clipping tracks, and changing speed of recordings.

Step 5: Saving and exporting "Archival quality" WAV vs. "Web streaming quality" MP3

Useful resources The National Archives FAQ: Society of American Archivists Copyright and Unpublished Material protocols: Well-intentioned practice for putting digitized collections of unpublished materials online: A Guide to Deeds of Gift (SAA) Protocols for Native American Archival Materials: Preserving the Past: A Basic Handbook for Archiving in Rural Alaska: Northeast Document Conservation Center: Well-intentioned practice for putting digitized collections of unpublished materials online: Sustainable Heritage Network:

Thank you! Thank you to SHN, Kimberly Christen Withey, Omar Poler, Teresa Mitchell, the community of Lac du Flambeau!