Techsurvivors

Archives => 2003 => Topic started by: Macinjun on June 12, 2003, 12:34:04 PM

Title: Audio tape/G3 connection
Post by: Macinjun on June 12, 2003, 12:34:04 PM

I am trying to download music from my tape player through the "Sound In" port on my Power Mac G3.  (Actually, I am recording my 33 1/3 LP's via turntable onto audio cassettes which, in turn will be downloaded to my G3 computer using Ultra Recorder 2.4.3 software.)  I have no difficulty recording sound when using the Mac's external mike plugged into that port.  However, the cable I purchased at Radio Shack with the RCA plugs on one end and the stereo miniplug on the other end would not work.  So far as I could tell, the miniplug connection on the Radio Shack cable was too short, although the diameter was correct and it would insert into the "Sound In" port.  Whether that was the source of the problem, I don't know.  At any rate, it would not import the sound from the tape deck.  Attempts to find a local source for the correct cable have been fruitless.   Everyone says the Mac connection is non-standard (in comparison with the PC).  One tech recommended that I go so far as to install a second sound card with standard ports (he touted an Audiophile 24196), saying the sound would be vastly improved.  Probably so, but before I go that route I would like to try the Mac's recommended cable.  Do anyone know of a source for the correct cable?  Or is this the problem?

Title: Audio tape/G3 connection
Post by: Al on June 12, 2003, 12:42:26 PM

the standard radioshack 1/8 mini phono stereo jack should work.  and as for quality, it should be exceptional on a Mac for stereo.  make sure the jack is all the way in.  Mine had a hard time getting the last mm of the jack in, but once in it worked fine.

Title: Audio tape/G3 connection
Post by: kelly on June 12, 2003, 12:58:04 PM

Hmm.

Read this.

http://www.interactivepages.com/macfreak/A...AppleMicrophone

http://www.interactivepages.com/macfreak/D...eripherals.html

Title: Audio tape/G3 connection
Post by: Macinjun on June 12, 2003, 09:29:02 PM

Thanks Al and Kelly.  Appreciate your help

Macinjun

Title: Audio tape/G3 connection
Post by: iain on June 13, 2003, 06:31:28 AM

Like Al said, the macs sound in should be perfectly adequate and the cable should work.
Is the output from the tape deck OK?
If you're in OS9 check that the input is set to "Sound In" in the Sound control panel.
Is there a way of recording directly from the turntable. Its just that you will be adding tape hiss and possibly loosing some of the quality by recording to tape first.
Hope you get it sorted.

Title: Audio tape/G3 connection
Post by: kbeartx on June 13, 2003, 07:10:42 PM

Which model Mac?  Which version of the OS?  

I seem to recall that on at least one OS version the proper selection in the Sound Control Panel is non-intuitive, so with the tape deck playing music, try several of the choices offerred in the Input section.

The deal with the longer-than-standard-length jack is that it's designed to accomodate a mic with a long plug and supply power to it on its extra-long shank, while still connecting to line-level audio devices (such as your tape deck) that use standard-length plugs.  

The cable you got from Radio Snack should work fine.  

I bet the problem is in the Sound Control Panel Input selection.

I use and recommend Coaster (it's freeware) for recording analog audio on my Mac.

- Kbeartx

Title: Audio tape/G3 connection
Post by: kbeartx on June 13, 2003, 07:39:20 PM

QUOTE(iain @ Jun 13 2003, 6:31 AM)

Is there a way of recording directly from the turntable. Its just that you will be adding tape hiss and possibly loosing some of the quality by recording to tape first.

Iain is correct that you will likely be losing some of the LP's sound quality by first recording it to tape.

I do this by connecting my Mac to my receiver in the receiver's tape loop (as if the Mac was a tape deck), so that the Mac can record anything played on the receiver (and I can listen on my receiver to any music I play on my Mac - it takes two of those cables).

You can't connect the turntable directly to the Mac, because a phono cartridge needs a special equalization circuit to sound right (the Mac can't provide this, but your receiver has one built-in).

hope this helps,

- Kbeartx

Title: Audio tape/G3 connection
Post by: Macinjun on June 15, 2003, 12:24:15 PM

Back again.   To answer Kbeartx:  Power Macintosh G3 running on Mac OS 9.1.    Yesterday, I purchased a Griffin Clear Choice 4 foot cable with Stereo RCA male to Stero 1/8" male mini plug connectors and plugged it into the RCA ports on my tape deck and the "Sound In" port of the Mac.  I then opened the Sound control panel and in the "Choose a source for sound input:" chose first, "Sound In" then later "External Mic." Using the Ultra Recorder 2.4.3 software in "Record" mode I could NOT get a response in either sound input mode.  No sound during play, either during recording or after the music file was saved.  I believe I should have been hearing the music through my G3's external speakers during recording, but did not.  The only music came from the tape deck itself.  I repeated the same steps connected to a second tape deck.  Same results.  And yet , using the exterior mike I am able to record my own voice or any music in range of the mike.  Which suggests to me that the software is not defective.

Does this indicate a defective Sound In port on the G3?  Or what?