4-Track and Quater-Track Filenames
This guide outlines how to name audio files transferred from 4-Track and Quarter-Track tape. The three examples described below are the most common scenarios, other configurations exist but these examples will provide the neccessary logic to manage exceptions.
Note: This guide only covers the Side and File sections of the filename for illustration. A complete guide to the Library’s filenaming schema can be found here at How to Name a File
1. Four Mono Recordings
A standard 4-Track configuration. Four mono recordings, one on each channel, each lasting the full duration of the tape. The recordings can run in either direction. While a tape can only have two physical sides each channel of a 4-Track tape is considered it’s own Side.
2. Two Stereo Recordings
A standard Quarter-Track configuration. Two stereo recordings, each recorded on channels 1,3 and channels 2,4, in opposite directions, as stereo pairs.
3. Multiple Recording Configurations
A mixed configuration of mono and stereo recordings, across all of the four channels.
3.1. Side 1 Breakdown
- Files: 1
- Recordings: 1
- Configurtation: 2-channel (audio in channel two partially missing)
3.2. Side 2 Breakdown
- Files: 3
- Recordings: 3
- Configuration: 1-channel (s2_f01, s2_f03); 2-channel (s2_f02)
3.3. Side 3 Breakdown
- Files: 1
- Recordings: 1
- Configuration: 1-channel
3.4. Side 4
- Files: 2
- Recordings: 2
- Configuration: 1-channel
Note - to aid the cataloguing team understand complex configurations in relation to the order of content on the tape, it is advisable to download the template diagram here and draw the layout.