Multi-machine

AudioInspector allows ingestion from up to four machines in parallel on a single PC. 
The input channels can be individually configured to record with different recording and detection parameters. 
Feature availability only depends on the hardware/software configuration selected and on the playback devices. 
Simultaneously, you can verify and assess the detected artefacts and the overall recording. 

You can predefine as many machines and settings as you like (software input channel assignments, interface input channels, EQ settings, remote control settings) for easy selection later on. 

If possible, the machines can be handled via a remote control interface.  When available for the respective machine, we focus on the integration of parallel remote interfaces rather than serial interfaces.  Most of the time, the required serial interface cards for analogue machines have not been purchased during their usage and are usually not available any more for most historic machines. 
If you do not find the machines you wish to use for playback listed (see Accessories) please send us your requirements. 
We are more than happy to integrate additional interfaces on demand. 

Multi-speed

Ingesting is possible in the same, half, double or even 4x the speed of the original recording. 
Half speed recording can be useful for digitization of analogue records, double speed digitization for some recordings on analogue tape. 
AudioInspector corrects the selected EQ curves according to the selected speed settings in order to reconstruct the original sound as accurately as possible. 

Support of optical pick-ups

When playing back with optical pick-ups there may be no need for corrections of the transfer EQ - even when the transfer is done at other speeds than 1:1.  AudioInspector therefore also offers to deselect EQ corrections that allow easy implementation of optical pick-ups for analogue records or analogue tapes. 

Multi-format

AudioInspector allows to store files in the most common standards for preservation projects.  Currently, the following formats are available: BWF and RF64. 
Please inform us in case you require a different format.  We will be happy to support new formats on demand. 

Dual-direction

On some tape formats audio is recorded in the opposite direction, e.g. Magnetophon tapes.  AudioInspector is designed to allow the ingestion of audio tracks recorded in opposite direction in just one single step.  There is no need for flipping the tape for recording in the other direction.  The content can be captured right away. 

Automated artefact analysis

AudioInspector detects and analyzes many digital and analogue artefacts during ingestion of the audio signal, depending on the hardware and software configuration. 
The detected artefacts are summarized in a

detection log

various charts and a

summary log

AudioInspector distinguishes between artefacts that are critical because they could be caused by the ingestion process itself (warnings are emitted) and artefacts that are recorded on the source tape. 

The detection log indicates:

if the detections possibly originate from the transfer process itself

time positions

calculated severity of the detection

type

channel

duration and

comments on detections

Detections of the same type are locally clustered to reduce the amount of detections displayed. 
Manual comments can be added to the automatic detections.  Manually entered "detections" can be created at any time. 
The detections can be monitored and assessed while recording in the current input channel and also when recording in other input channels in the background. 
Detections can even be deleted from the list but can be recalled at any later stage. 
All events and technical parameters detected - or manually added - are stored in an XML metadata file for an easy import into existing database systems. 
Users who have deleted detections in the detection log or have changed the Overall Quality Assessment are logged into the metadata. 

Overall quality assessment

After the automated artefact detection and analysis of technical parameters have been completed, the system evaluates the overall quality of the recording and indicates either OK or Not Good. 
Users with respective rights can change these indications. 

Machine learning

The confirmed or changed overall assessment data is stored together with the metadata in an XML file. 
The user who has made the assessment is logged into the metadata. 
As an optional service, we offer you to send us an entire series of such XML files for customization of the rule-based expert system according to your quality standards. 
These files are used to run them through machine leaning algorithms that will adopt the decision rules for the expert system. 
The new decision rules are available in your AudioInspector systems after a software update. 

Software EQ for most standards used in recording history

Audio Inspector is delivered with a full set of software based EQ filters for tapes and records.  They cover most existing EQ standards in recording media. 

If you do not find the filters you wish to use for playback listed in the table below please send us your requirements. 
We are more than happy to integrate additional filters on demand. 

Analogue Tape

Records

IEC (1968)

Decca FFRR (1949)

IEC (1968)

Decca FFRR (1949)

DIN (1966)

London FFRR (1949)

RIAA

FFRR (1949)

IEC

Columbia (Eng.) 

DIN (1971)

EMI (1931)

DIN (1962)

HMV (1931)

NAB

Columbia (1938)

EIA

FFRR (1951)

IEC 2

Decca FFRR (1951)

NAB

EMS

DIN (home)

Capitol (1942)

EIA

Mercury

RIAA

AES

IEC 2

Capitol

NAB

Capitol-Cetra

RIAA

Decca

IEC 2

Esoteric

AES

Mercury (until 10/54)

Ampex (home)

Or

EIA (proposed)

FFRR (1953)

CCIR

Decca FFRR (1953)

IEC

Ducretet-Thomson

DIN

London (up to LL-846)

BS

London International

IEC 1

LP/COL

CCIR

NAB

DIN

Audio Fidelity

BS

Columbia

CCIR

Decca (until 11/55)

IEC 1

Epic (until 1954)

DIN

Folkways

IEC 1

HMV

DIN (studio)

Vox (until 1954)

CCIR

Westminster (before 1956)

RIAA

Music Cassette

MGM

Victor (1947-52)

IEC Type I

MGM

Type II

RCA Victor (until 8/52)

Type IV

Orthophonic (RCA)

DIN Type I

Brunswick

early 78s (mid-'30s)

Parlophone

Correction of EQ mismatches

Most facilities do not have calibration tapes available for all the EQ standards ever used in recording media.  As a matter of fact, such tapes are not even made any more for most standards. 
For convenience purpose, your playback machine is set to current EQ standards. 
AudioInspector allows you to select the Recorded Replay EQ.  Having this information and combining it with the data on the current EQ setting of you playback machine, AudioInspector calculates the necessary difference between these curves and applies them to reconstruct the original sound of the audio material in the best possible way. 

Customizable detection parameter sets

When analysing different formats or series of sources it can be advantageous to store parameter sets with configurations that you have found to deliver good results for you. 
E.g. you might wish to turn off ‘click detection’ during a record analysis when you are aware that the series is full analogue clicks.  Or you might decide that you only wish to be notified if clicks are serious, meaning they are beyond an intensity of 5. 

Algorithm tuning

AudioInspector even allows you to modify parameters that are changing the behaviour of the detection system to various degrees.  The possibilities range from switching single detectors to ON or OFF, modifying thresholds for warnings or changing single algorithm parameters.  All changes can be made for the current project only, single parameter sets or in general. 

CAUTION: Changing the algorithm parameters in general might cause very varying results depending on the variety of recordings.  We therefore recommend this feature to only be used by very experienced users. 

Manual detection entry (entry of comments)

You can create comments along with any manual detection by double-clicking its comment blank or pressing "Ctrl-C". 
You may also manually create entire detections whenever you wish by pressing "Ctrl-Space" during recording. 
You may also erase detections from the detection log.  However, deleted detections will only become invisible in the detection log and the respective charts.  The detection will not be fully erased can be undone at a later point. 

All-time undo of trimming and normalize

When you use trimming or normalize on a file you have created, a new file will be generated with the editing applied as set. 
However, AudioInspector will never overwrite originally created recordings.  You will always be able to switch back to the original recording when storing these files.  This procedure ensures also that you do not depend on any vendor proprietary file formats. 
When applying a trim to one of your files the detections within the area that has been cut off will also be deleted from the detection log.  Therefore, detections shown in the log of the trimmed file will be in-sync with the audio again. 

User management

AudioInspector allows you to define an "unlimited" number of users who are legitimized to work with the system in the back office of your customer account. 
Users are required to login before starting to work with AudioInspector. 
Users who have deleted detections in the detection log or have changed the Overall Quality Assessment are registered in the metadata. 

Automated logging

AudioInspector also logs other status information created during the analysis, besides the user data. 
The system log information can be found in the summary display field. 

ID metadata

To identify made recordings users may fill in various metadata fields. 
The ID metadata will be saved in XML files, as well as in the header of the audio files - if the audio file format permits. 

XML export of complete metadata created

The entire metadata created by the system is stored in an XML metadata file.  It can be imported in any existing database system and can also be read by dedicated viewer software for distributed verification and quality assessment within your network. 

The general metadata fields are compatible to the EBU Core Metadata set. 

Support of RME Fireface™

AudioInspector works according to ASIO standards. 
Most ASIO A/D devices therefore comply with AudioInspector. 

The A/D converter we recommend to use with AudioInspector is Fireface™ from RME. 
Fireface 400™ delivers 8 analogue audio channels with a resolution of 24bit / 192 kHz (the current maximum for audio A/D converters) plus 10 digital input channels at a price of around € 880 (status 08/2007). 

Support of RME DIGICheck - Totalyser™

Together with Fireface™ you will also receive a software called DIGICheck - Totalyser™.  This software delivers a hardware supported phase monitor, correlation meter, peak meters and a spectrum analyzer which can be used for set-up and actual recordings with AudioInspector. 

File analysis

AudioInspector allows analysis of files that were created with other audio recording tools.  The only requirement is that the files have been stored in a supported audio file format. 
Moreover, the patch inspector enables an automated file-based analysis via drop folder automation or Webservices / SOAP support. 

In environments supported by workflow or content management systems it is convenient to access all services through the CMS. 

AudioInspector (Batch Inspector) can be accessed by dropping the files in a drop folder on a first come first serve basis or by using Webservices / SOAP for analysis according to a provided priority list. 

If you want to integrate AudioInspector into your Content Management and/or Workflow System, this can easily be done via Batch Inspectors Workflow module. 

This interface allows simple data exchange with your CMS and can also be adapted to your requirements by your own IT department. 

If you have any special requirements for integration of AudioInspector (Batch Inspector) into a CMS, please let us know.  We will be happy to integrate them for you. 

To preserve the content of an archive in the most efficient way it is essential to streamline and control your workflow. 

To do so you have to analyze your preservation process as a first.  After that we recommend the integration of a workflow system that allows you to trigger and control operational processes closely. 

If you wish to implement a workflow system into your operation we can help you via our cooperation with Ceiton Technologies workflow systems.  Ceiton is a worldwide leading vendor for workflow systems in audiovisual studio environments.  For more information, please contact us at www.audioinspector.com or visit www.ceiton.de. 

Automated creation of MP3 browsing files

When creating high-resolution archive files, it sometimes makes sense to create low resolution browsing files at the same time. 
If you select the creation of MP3 browsing files as a prerequisite, AudioInspector will create these for you by accessing external MP3 converters that support command line operation (e.g. "Lame" a free converter that can be downloaded at http://lame.sourceforge.net).