PreGameLobby - Converting Audio Cassette's to PC or CD...

ZoomZoom71 · 03-09-2007, 09:46 AM

Some of you young whipper-snappers may not know that music hasn't always come on CD's or in MP3 format. Back in the day, we use to have these things called "Cassette Tapes", which pretty much offered an analog, stereo format of the music.

So, have any of you old schoolers converted your old tapes to a digital format? If so, what setup did you have to configure for your gear? Currently, I don't have anything that'll play a cassette, except for a boom box. I think the only audio output it offers is a headphone jack. Can I just get the proper adapters from Rat Shack and connect 'em to my Sound Card and record? I have Sound Forge 6.0, so converting them isn't an issue. It's the source side I'm concerned with.

Serren · 03-09-2007, 01:00 PM

My buddies work at this company cyberguys.com which is a geeks-r-us company, and they have this product LINK that is exactly what you need.

Here is a photo

Neat huh? Anyone can also get a free catalog of all the gadgets and stuff they sell using the link above. They also have a sister site here http://www.x-tremegeek.com/

Crankbait · 03-09-2007, 01:15 PM

I just use toast titanium with my mac. They have an audio capture widget. You can hook up any audio source through the mic and record it in.

Use this: http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/

and this as a reference: http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2004/9/13/11498/3759

AZRaiderH8r · 03-09-2007, 01:53 PM

Man, I wish I would have known about this before I tossed all my tapes a few years back.

Does anyone know how to convert 8 tracks? My dad had a kickin' Roger Whitaker 8 track that I know Bronx would like to convert.

ZoomZoom71 · 03-09-2007, 01:56 PM

I probably have about 100 tapes. Not all will get converted, though. Most are 80's stuff. I haven't bought a tape since probably '93.

CamDawg · 03-09-2007, 02:00 PM

I agree with Serren's pick. I've not used it, but I have friends who have had success with it.

They have the same deck at Geeks.com on sale right now for $90. Link

Quo · 03-09-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZoomZoom71

I haven't bought a tape since probably '93.

Other than in truck stops, I'm not sure I've seen a tape since '93...

D_Litch · 03-09-2007, 02:27 PM

Cool methods guys.. I've got about 85 tapes in my closet, and most of them are bands that have never been CDized.

Crankbait · 03-09-2007, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamDawg

They have the same deck at Geeks.com on sale right now for $90. Link

Yeah, I guess if you had many to do the investment would be worth it.

Serren · 03-09-2007, 02:44 PM

Plus its ultra geeky!

lovekeiiy · 03-10-2007, 01:11 AM

I didn't check out the link, but looks nice.

Get a program that can audio capture from a "line-in" input, and use any kind of tape deck with a headphone output.

It's kind of down and dirty because you'll have to mess with volume control and line-in volume. Some MP3 players will let you record with a line-in input too. Just have to check to see if they all upload from the machine; I have one that does it, but doesn't allow uploading, which stinks because it came with songs that I cannot get off the machine.

BrewCityUpstart · 03-10-2007, 08:38 AM

Next he's gonna ask about the reel-to-reel's under his bed....

WormholeXtreme · 03-10-2007, 08:44 AM

Wow! trashed all my records in 1985 after I got my first CD player. I trashed all my Tapes in 1996 or 1997 after I got my first minidisc player. I didn't realize people still listen to tapes. I was watching a CNET report on the new Hybrid Lexus. $65K and it has a tape player but no ipod, or auxillary input. Even my girlfriends family, who is anti-technology, even they are starting to burn their own CDs or load up MP3 players with digital music. I though the day would never come. They looked at me like I was crazy 10 years ago doing the same thing.

lovekeiiy · 03-10-2007, 04:17 PM

no, they weren't looking at your crazy because of your toys. It's because you are crazy, LOL.

OnoMan · 03-10-2007, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quo

Other than in truck stops, I'm not sure I've seen a tape since '93...

you go to truck stops??

BrewCityUpstart · 03-10-2007, 11:14 PM

Lot Lizard Quo

Gordon · 03-11-2007, 04:32 AM

Of course others have mentioned it already.

Indeed it depends on the inputs on your computer. I have used the regular line-in from a CD player to record some CDs which had some pretty mean copy protection, which would not even read them when placed into a CD Drive. This can also be done with regular cassette tapes, or also MP3 players. I also include MP3 players since some of them have a recording function but do not allow you to export it digitally, so you must record out through other means... Like using the headphone jack.

Of course I recommend using the line-in jack on your PC since it seems to record a little bit better than the microphone jack for whatever reason.

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