I have in front of me a "Tone Master" 60 minute Type I audio tape that I have captured in FCP. The audio is absolutely horrible and I have to make the most of it. I have applied the dolby filters through my deck into the computer and now don't know what to do with it to make it any better. Any suggestions??? Yikes!!!!!!

I use Cool Edit Pro's(Now Audition) noise reduction and hiss removal. I'm not terribly familiar with Mac audio software, but I'm sure there are similar plugins.

If you have a PC handy, you might burn a wave to CD, download the audition tryout, and see if that gets you where you need to be.

Bias makes a program called soundsoap. I don't think they have a demo though.

Are you certain the original tape was recorded in Dolby? I would capture it both ways, with Dolby on and off during playback. Then determine which version you can fix with your available plug-ins or other software.
Often, especially if the original wasn't recorded with Dolby, you can get better sounding results with no Dolby on playback and simply using a high roll-off to attenuate the tape hiss.

Jay,

I know for a fact the tape wasn't recorded in Dolby. I had the Dolby Noise Reduction on. It reduces the "hiss". Do you still think recording it with this off and then applying a high-roll off filter is the best way to go?

Thanks!
Clay

It depends on the material. Applying the Dolby will definitely reduce the hiss, but may also have too great an effect on the sound as a whole. The only way to know is try it both ways and see what "sounds the best" in the end. People will accept some hiss if the sound isn't garbled, especially if you are careful about fading in and out at transitions. If the sound is noticeably affected by the Dolby, that's a little harder for the listener to let go of.