Author Topic: uploading cassette tape music? (Read 2846 times)

jojo · « **on:** August 12, 2007, 05:30:30 PM »

where could i find equipment to perhaps attach to my ibookg4 to transfer cassette tape music to my computer? and how expensive is that? thanks so much!!!!

Paddy · « **Reply #1 on:** August 12, 2007, 07:48:26 PM »

This looks like just the ticket - an entire, detailed tutorial, including what you'll need for equipment (probably nothing new) and freeware (Audacity) to do the digitizing.

http://www.wap.org/journal/digitizingcassettes/default.html

krissel · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2007, 01:43:08 AM »

I've done this with my old stereo/cassette unit and Audacity. Worked well.

However the G4 iBook does not have audio input ports. You may have to get something like the Griffin iMic.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic/

Be sure to plug any item like this into the USB port on your iBook or use a powered hub.

jojo · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2007, 06:49:22 AM »

thank you both - interesting reading - i appreciate your help!

Gregg · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2007, 07:31:54 AM »

Can also be done with iMic ... attach to stereo and computer

Cost?

Mine was a gift.

Xairbusdriver · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2007, 05:41:15 PM »

Piece of cake. Used to be the way we transferred Sermons to disk and web till I bought a mini.

1. Place tape in tape player.
2. Connect "Tape Out" (usually RCA jacks) to the RCA end of an inexpensive Radio Shack 'RCA to 1/8"' "Y" cable.
3. Plug the 1/8" end of the cable into the Mac (using an iMic, if required).
4. Open any recording app you want. I think even Garageband can record. I have a free copy of Sound Studio and I have never found anything to match it for ease of use, capability and reliability. But it is no longer free to most people.

Safe as aif and you can easily make CDs. MP3s will save space and lower the quality. Other choices depend on the recording app(s).

I'd suggest making each song a separate recording, then you can arrange them in any order you want ( and even delete those that don't bring back good memories! ).

Oh yeah, don't forget to turn the tape player ON before starting the recording!

kbeartx · « **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2007, 06:30:50 PM »

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 13 2007, 05:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

...an inexpensive Radio Shack 'RCA to 1/8"' "Y" cable...

Do this if the music on the cassettes is very poorly recorded [the sound quality is not good]. In that case, it's fine to use cheapo cables, they won't degrade the sound any further.

If, however, the music/sound on the cassettes sounds pretty good, invest $12 and buy a high-quality cable, such as AR or Monster. The AR cable will sound as good as the monster and cost half as much.

And count me in on positive recommendations for the iMic, even on Macs that already have a sound input jack - the iMic sounds better!

jojo · « **Reply #7 on:** August 17, 2007, 06:18:38 AM »

hmmmm - great information - thank you thank you and thank you!
i really appreciate it!

Gregg · « **Reply #8 on:** August 17, 2007, 07:36:53 AM »

Spread the word...

Parker · « **Reply #9 on:** August 20, 2007, 11:55:36 AM »

QUOTE

I've done this with my old stereo/cassette unit and Audacity. Worked well.

I'd personally prefer to use GarageBand. I find it easier to use than Audacity, and GarageBand picks up the iMic when it's plugged in and asks you if you want to use that to record and you can change it in the GarageBand preferences, leaving your computer audio settings alone.

QUOTE

2. Connect "Tape Out" (usually RCA jacks) to the RCA end of an inexpensive Radio Shack 'RCA to 1/8"' "Y" cable.
3. Plug the 1/8" end of the cable into the Mac (using an iMic, if required).

The iMic comes with a Female RCA to Male 1/8" adapter, so if you have a stereo RCA cable, you can use that.

If your tape player, however, has a headphone jack, you will need a "1/8" Male Phono to 1/8" Male Phono" wire. Your tape player volume should be set to about 75%. The switch on the iMic will also need to be at Line and not Mic. When the switch is on Mic, the input is provided power to amplify the microphone (professionally known as Phantom Power), which does not provide its own power generally, unless the Microphone is wireless, in which case the receiver is powered so the input does not need to be. Line input, however, is not powered because you have plugged something in, like the tape player, that is providing its own power and/or is amplified in some way.

Hope this helps :-)
-Parker

kps · « **Reply #10 on:** August 20, 2007, 06:58:28 PM »

I was at my local TigerDirect store today and saw THIS and thought I'd post it. No idea how well it works.

News:

Author Topic: uploading cassette tape music? (Read 2846 times)