What about audio capture?

[Fryster]

What hardware is everyone using (if any) for the audio portion of their VHS/LD ----> PC or DVD captures?

I have not seen audio signal improvement mentioned very often here in the Capture forum.

I have some older pre-recorded VHS tapes where the audio is quite low & flat and quite undesirable when doing a capture project. I'd like to "bump it up" to something a little more acceptable. If I'm improving the video portion with a TBC, then what can/should be used for the audio?? Hardware-wise that is...

After a cursory search on the net, I found this device: the TERK VR-1 TV Volume Regulator

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/278616-REG/Terk_Technologies_VR1_VR_1_TV_Volume_Regulator.html

Good price but not quite the right tool me thinks...

Am I going to need a full-blown line-level equalizer just for audio-capture improvement?

[filmboss80]

VHS units have RCA audio outputs. (Remember: VHS is analog.) You can buy an adapter that allows the left and right RCA audio inputs to go into a 1/8" stereo plug that goes into the audio line input on your PC. Just adjust input levels with the Windows sound mixer. In short, you already have the hardware, you just need an adapter for the plugs. They are cheap. Radio Shack, Walmart, etc...

But wait-- how are you getting the VHS video in your computer? The same interface should have inputs for the audio. You don't need anything else. You just need audio software to tweak the sound files.

As for software, Audacity is free. It can normalize volume, do equalization, and so much more. In order to separate the audio stream from the video, it depends on your file type. For VOB/Mpeg, you'll need a demuxer. (There are free ones in the tools section of this site.) For AVI, you can separate the audio stream as a wav file using VirtualDub (also free).

However, if you are making realtime dubs to a DVD recorder unit, any audio mixer/amplifier or graphic equalizer will suffice. The link you listed looks like a limiter. You don't want anything you can't have control over. DVD-recorder units usually have automatic gain. Thus, I cannot see how you can increase the volume anyway.

[lordsmurf]

I use audio mixers with good EQ's (3-4 minimum).
Check out his Behringer for under $100 (currently $59 on sale):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000J5XS3C?ie=UTF8&tag=thdifa-20&linkCode=as2&camp=17...SIN=B000J5XS3C
Or this Behringer for under $50:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002JF5CM?ie=UTF8&tag=thdifa-20&linkCode=as2&camp=17...SIN=B0002JF5CM

I've participated in several audio filtering discussions at
http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/forumdisplay.php/restore-filter-improve-17.html
-- read there for more info on audio software and hardware filtering.

Some here too: https://forum.videohelp.com/restoration-f43.html ... though not as much as other link, for audio.
Little bit at https://forum.videohelp.com/audio-f33.html ... but not much. (Mostly conversions there.)

The mixers have different audio inputs/outputs than the VCR, but all you need are wires that convert/adapt. You can find those at Best Buy, but the better prices will come from Amazon, when you order the mixer.

That item from Terk is a waste of $30 -- spend a little more on the mixer, get way more functionality.

Computer-based soundcard mixers cannot compete with the standalones. The soundcards do weenie adjustments, at best. Most completely lack EQ or NR.

[Fryster]

Thanks for the advice guys, appreciate it.

LS: The Behringer UB802 Eurorack mixer; the size and price look right to me.

But is it difficult to use? Would it have a steep learning curve for a beginner? Or are things pretty intuitive on it?
The left/right RCA IN/OUT connectors are all I would need for simple VHS-to-DVD conversion, is that correct? And there is a headphone jack for monitoring the mix, yes?

I also saw this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/422063-REG/Behringer_FBQ800_MINIFBQ_FBQ800_Graph...Equalizer.html

Or is this graphic equalizer more for one's home A/V entertainment center?

Thanks again!