Solved Old to work with New is my quest.

[Layback Bear]

I'm trying to find a proper way to input from a old casset player into my computer listed in My System Specs.
Yes I do have lots of cassets.
Knowing very little about sound cards; is that the proper way?
I will add one to the system if necessary.

When I do investigate this most everything I find is how to make a head set work and sound better. I'm really not interested in head sets.

I want to be able to use external inputs to use the speaker system I have hooked to my computer.
If it helps this is what I use at the present time.

 

[fireberd]

You list everything except what sound you have. e.g. do you have the on-board RealTek sound or do you have an add on sound card?

Either way you connect the output from the cassette player to the LINE IN on the sound. You can use the free (and popular) "Audacity" to record the cassette to the hard drive. If you are going to make standard audio CD's, save the sound files as wav files (full fidelity) as that is what is needed for CD's. If you save them as MP3 files, that is "something less than full fidelity" and if you wanted to convert the MP3 to wav for CD's, you will not regain any fidelity - it will be at whatever fidelity the MP3's are.

Finally, you need to have the Stereo Mix set as the default recording device. Audacity uses the Stereo Mix as the recording source. With whatever input is used, Line In, Mic, or streaming audio from the internet you can hear it and record it if desired.

Need more?

Jack

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

For audio cassette you can also use an application called TOTAL RECORDER.

The standard version will be fine for what you need - it's around 17 USD (10 GBP / 12 EUR) which IMO for converting LOADS of casettes might be better than trying to cludge around with Free software.

Feature Comparison Chart, Total Recorder - captures any audio from the Internet, records audio from CD, microphone, line-in, converts any sound formats to WAVE file. Phone recording system.

Another way is perhaps to do it away from a computer - perhaps you have one of those older stereo pieces of equipment that can make a CD from a Cassette tape - and of course once you've got the music on to a CD it's easy to tag it and do all sorts of other things.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Layback Bear]

Thanks Jack and Jim for getting back so quick. Check my previous update post.

I do not have a separate sound card.

I never even thought of recording just playing the music. Recording just might be the thing to do.

If I understand you correctly the mic input doesn't really care if it is a mic just that it is a input of some kind.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

do you have any sort of AUDIO or LINE IN at the back of your machine. The problem with using the Microphone as a LINE IN will be that it will only be MONO (certainly on older machines) and quality won't be the best.

It WILL work however - but output from a Cassette recorder is usually VERY HIGH and might overload the sound input from a Mike input - much lower than from a cassette recorder -

If you do use the MIKE input then use the HEADPHONE output from the cassette recorder and keep the volume LOW or you'll overload the input amp - you can easily tell as the music will sound hideously distorted (although youngsters these days with highly compressed mp3 music listened to on horrendously poor bud earphones probably would like it !!!).

Cheers
jimbo

 

[fireberd]

Don't use the mic input. Use the "Line In" connection. The Mic input is mono, the Line In is stereo.

 

[Layback Bear]

Okay I got out my magnifier out and found the line in; it's a light blue.
I will be experimenting for a while. I think I will have a problem finding adapters to use the cable for the old stuff to the computer.

I will get back to you.

 

[Berton]

For the cable try Computer Parts, Cables and Hard to Find Computer Accessories - Cyberguys.com, maybe even BestBuy if you have one near. I use a male to male for the connection.

 

[fireberd]

The PC end requires a 3.5mm (1/8") stereo plug. I don't know what your cassette uses, possibly a 1/4" stereo for a headset or has RCA jacks. You shouldn't have much problems finding either adapter cables.

 

[Layback Bear]

I have ordered what I think will work but won't know for a few days.