Cassette and 8-track tapes can also be transferred. However, because tapes can stretch and experience sound dropouts as they age, results are less predictable than with records. Some tape-related problems cannot be corrected, such as the gap produced in the middle of a song on an 8-track tape. Although we can eliminate the gap and smooth the transition, there will still be some fade-out and fade-in present in the middle of the song.

HOW IS THE MUSIC TRANSFERRED AND PROCESSED?
All music is professionally cleaned and then recorded using high-quality equipment to obtain the best sound possible. The music is loaded into a computer using a high-end sound card at CD-quality sampling rates (44.1 khz, 16 bits), which produces a file that is approximately 10.5 MB per minute of music. Special, high-end software is used to delicately clean the noise and pops from the recording. For audiophile processing, every second of the music is then reviewed and retouched by a human to remove any remaining disturbances.

HOW CLEAN DOES THE MUSIC GET?
This depends primarily on the original sound source and whether standard or audiophile processing is desired. The skill is to remove as much noise and other disturbances while preserving as much of the original sound as possible. For most music, the standard processing will produce excellent results, with near-CD to CD quality, which is appropriate for the average listener. Some minor pops, static and other disturbances may remain, but most of this is not noticable to the average listener. For some low-grade sources, removing the majority of noise will produce a rather undesirable recording. So, a higher noise level in the restored file will result in a better sound.

If you are an audiophile, you may prefer the audiophile processing, as described below. This will remove nearly all remaining disturbances in the music to produce CD-quality restorations for most music. For some music, like classic jazz recordings, the music variations cause the standard processing method to add undesirable disturbances in some sections of the music. The only appropriate way to restore such recordings is to manually apply the best formula to individual music sections, using the audiophile processing. We will gladly advise you of the best processing option for a particular recording.

WHAT CAN BE CORRECTED?
Static - Consistent background noise (static) can be removed. Except in very worn records, silent areas will be silent again and background noise will not be audible during music sections.

Pops and Clicks - Impulsive disturbances such as pops and clicks will be removed so you can enjoy the original sound. See our samples for an explanation of what can be removed with various processing options.

Skips - In most cases, skips can be entirely eliminated. With some unusual cases, the skip may not be eliminated. In those cases, the skip may be minimized to reduce disturbances such as loud pops. Please note: The correction of skips is only available with the audiophile option.

Stereo to Mono Conversion - Many older recordings were originally recorded in mono. However, some of those recordings have been artificially converted to stereo in later pressings by splitting different frequencies to different channels. This is typical with many of the Beatles' recordings. The original mono sound can be restored from the stereo recording without losing any music.

Mono to Stereo Conversion - If you prefer that your mono recordings have a stereo sound, this can be simulated by splitting the frequencies to different channels.

Tape Hiss - Analog tape hiss can be removed both from tape recordings and vinyl recordings that were mastered on analog tape.

CAN CRACKED OR WARPED RECORDS BE RESTORED?
Both cracked and warped records can typically be restored. We have methods to play most records in such condition. However, there may be some disturbances caused by the damaged records. For example, a loud pop may remain with cracked records and a static sound may remain from badly warped records. In most cases, these disturbances can be fully corrected. However, some records may need audiophile processing to correct such damage. We can better inform you of the results and recommended process once we see and hear the damaged record.

WHAT IS 'STANDARD RESTORATION'?
This is a restoration process in which the music is processed using a computer and special software to remove the majority of static and pops. The software produces fantastic results, frequently CD quality, for higher-quality source material. However, for lower-quality source material, some static and pops may remain. Additionally, the software may produce its own occasional defects in the processed music, but not often.

WHAT IS 'AUDIOPHILE RESTORATION'?
The audiophile restoration process begins the same way as the standard processing. The music is first processed using a computer and special software, as outlined above. Then, a human restoration expert listens to every second of the music searching for remaining disturbances (both those that the software did not remove and those that may have been added by the software). The expert uses the software and special formulas and skills to remove as much of the remaining disturbances as possible. This can be a time-intensive process, depending on the quality of the source, but the results are amazing. For higher-quality source material, our restored product frequently sounds better than the same music released on CD by the record label.

WILL THE RESTORED CD PLAY IN MY STEREO AND CAR?
Every CD is checked to make sure it will play properly in a home CD player. However, if you have an older CD player (from the mid-90s or earlier), you may experience some difficulties. One of the reasons is that the laser beam used to burn CDs has a different width from the pressed CDs purchased in record stores. Newer CD players were designed to play music recorded using either laser beam. However, older units, that were not designed for the newer technology, may not recognize all burned CDs.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RESTORE MUSIC?
Typically, most projects will be completed within one week of receiving the source materials. For audiophile processing and larger quantities, the turnaround time may be slightly longer.