About Mixtape Nerd

IIf you are serious about making analog mixtape in today's digital age, you probably have a good reason to commit to it. But analog tape recording has its own complexities. Mastering analog mix-taping is a multi-factor balancing art. How do you ensure quality and how do you measure success? Perhaps, the most intuitive rule of thumb is simply chasing auditory satisfactory. But subjective perception alone may not always ensure the best use of the format. A mixtape without technical precision can hardly be considered art. Maybe it's time to leave the comfort zone for progresses.

If you have your tape recorder(s) serviced/calibrated upfront, you are already on the way pursuing technical precision. The rest of the journey is all about mix-taping workflow. Especially when using digital audio files as the audio source, considering mixtape and playlist as synonyms oversimplifies the concept, as a computer can do much more than just a media player.

Transferring digital audio to analog tape resembles a mildly downsizing. Retaining everything is possible but there isn't much room to waste, especially in terms of dynamic-range. It's wiser to measure and plan ahead than trial and error on the go. This is what a computer can help. Given an analog tape recording system, its dynamic-range is predictable by its MOL (maximum output level) and SNR (signal to noise ratio) relative to a reference level. When being connected to a computer, the computer will generate a test tone to negotiate a common reference level with it under the user's supervision. And then, the maximum levels of all selected audio files will be normalized to ensure that the tape's MOL will be fully utilized but without uncontrolled distortions. Meanwhile, if the soft passages in the audio files are too quiet to surpass the tape's SNR, optional compressors and/or standard noise reduction encoders (equivalent to Dolby-B/C, dbx-I/II) are available in the digital domain for the users who prefer controlled compression over the tape hiss.

When curating a double-sided mixtape with about two dozen digital audio files, grouping these files onto the two tape sides may result in millions of possibilities. Finding the best file arrangement can be rather time-consuming (than it seems). But this is a task that a computer can accomplish in a minute. Furthermore, in case that the best file arrangement still can't fit perfectly to the given tape length, additional means are averrable, including silence-padding/trimming, fade-out or cross-fade.

Mixtape Nerd is such a software app that supports (but not enforces) the above outlined mix-taping workflow. This app is based on a series of "nerdy endeavors" pursuing a streamlined mix-taping experience. Upon initial use, it starts as a basic playlist app with all the mixtape enhancements disengaged by default. This allows the app to be easily integrated into the user's existing mix-taping workflow. Afterwards, the mixtape enhancement features can be engaged one at a time for experimenting and evaluating, which allows for progressively picking up the new workflow.

In the finishing stage, the user can preview, test and refine the result (in real-time) based on personal experiences. Upon completion, a mixtape project can be exported as a master audio file per side for offline duplication, optionally with an auxiliary audio file containing a standard test tone for calibrating the duplication system. Alternatively, a mixtape project can also be played back within the app for real-time tape recording, optionally driving the sound card in exclusive mode for the shortest and cleanest audio path.

The app comes with embedded documentation to help the user using each function, along with a YouTube video demo. Despite, getting started is not effortless as it requires basic understanding of analog tape recording, such as MOL (maximum output level), SNR (signal to noise ratio). But once the initial learning curve has been overcome, no extra efforts will be needed for repeating the new workflow.

Limitations:

Please note, this app is not a PRO grade tool by design, instead, it is a lightweight utility for audio enthusiasts who enjoy tape-based analog HiFi. Analog mix taping is a multi-factor optimization art, blending objective rules and subjective preferences. Everyone has unique workflow and feature requests to suggest. Developing a universally accommodating software for serving such a task is a challenge, especially with limited resources. Hence, this app retains its commitment to being focused, concise and cost-effective, and steering clear of an overwhelming user interface akin to a spaceship's cockpit. Nevertheless, there might still be a bit of a learning curve to getting started. Especially for beginners, this app is merely a tool rather than a cookbook, having a basic understanding of analog tape recording beforehand would be of great help to overcome the initial learning curve.

Please also be mindful of the following technical constraints:

- Online streaming sources are not supported, unless pre-downloaded as local files.
- Items protected in the local Audio Library (e.g.: iTunes) are not supported.
- Tracks on LP, CD and tapes are not directly supported, unless digitized to local files.
- Acceptable audio file formats are: wav, flac, mp3, aac, m4a and ape, with standard stereo L/R channel layout, 44.1kHz ~ 192kHz, 16/24Bit.
- Preferred audio file location is the system designated "Music" folder, or otherwise explicit access permissions will be required repetitively.
- Works only with standard sound card with standard stereo L/R channel layout. Advanced PRO/Game sound cards may work but may require additional channel-remapping work pre-done at OS level.
- Exclusive sound card mode is currently in experiment and not guaranteed to work with any given sound card.
- Common DJ features are not included
   - No plugin interface.
   - No cloud sharing.
   - No beat match during cross-fade.
   - No graphic equalizer.
- Basic knowledge in analog tape recording would be required.