Thanks for the help and useful sites for converting old cassette tapes to computer and then CD.
As I understand it, I need a stereo "line in" on my computer to transfer the music in from the tape player via appropriate jack
I have a toshiba satellite laptop and it boasts a headphone socket and a monaural microphone jack hole, and no other source of "line in" on its specifications brochure. My daughter's is similar.
Help-any suggestions?
Will it still be worth doing if I use the mono microphone jack socket?
If your Toshiba has a USB socket then I suggest you get one of Creative's external USB SoundBlaster audio cards (there's a comprehensive range). A very neat piece of kit with a stereo line-in socket and lots of other goodies, including excellent software. I use it frequently to transfer tape and vinyl to my computer and as a very effective upgrade to the onboard sound chip in my computer.
If your Toshiba doesn't have a USB socket then some expert may be able to advise how to install one, otherwise ...
my husband's work laptop has a port that seems to work, so he is having a go on an old Steeleye Span tape (by absolutely total coincidence to the Infection thread). So far so good. I have looked up re the SoundBlaster audio card, and will try that if his computer plu Audacity can't do the job. Thanks for the help. It is great to get such specific help too.
Back to 'audio interfaces' ~ they have their advantages, especially with laptops, and the Edirol one's and Creative's have good Analog to Digital conversion... You can also get them cheap. IF you want extra bells Edirol's UA-4FX is great and you have physical input and output controls and a good lighted guide to prevent you from pushing it into the red. This also means you can boost low signals, and there are EFFECTS ~ and some of these are great additions, like the tube simulation if you'd like to 'warm' the sound a little, and there's 'noise suppression' and 'enhancement', etc... For the price it is great, USB, and portable...
The 'come with' sound features of off-the-shelf computers, including laptops, is usually awful, leaves much to be desired as far as audio... That isn't their primary design, despite the usual claim of multi-media... A 'seperate' soundcard, next time your shopping, is much preferable to just a chip or two on the motherboard... A sererate dedicated card also usually means extra software too.
foiled at step one, cassettes to cd/mp3
foiled at step one, cassettes to cd/mp3
Thanks for the help and useful sites for converting old cassette tapes to computer and then CD.
As I understand it, I need a stereo "line in" on my computer to transfer the music in from the tape player via appropriate jack
I have a toshiba satellite laptop and it boasts a headphone socket and a monaural microphone jack hole, and no other source of "line in" on its specifications brochure. My daughter's is similar.
Help-any suggestions?
Will it still be worth doing if I use the mono microphone jack socket?
# Posted on February 24th 2007 by mrs.b
Re: foiled at step one, cassettes to cd/mp3
If your Toshiba has a USB socket then I suggest you get one of Creative's external USB SoundBlaster audio cards (there's a comprehensive range). A very neat piece of kit with a stereo line-in socket and lots of other goodies, including excellent software. I use it frequently to transfer tape and vinyl to my computer and as a very effective upgrade to the onboard sound chip in my computer.
If your Toshiba doesn't have a USB socket then some expert may be able to advise how to install one, otherwise ...
# Posted on February 24th 2007 by lazyhound
Re: foiled at step one, cassettes to cd/mp3
I forgot to add, don't bother with the mic socket because the impedances won't match and you'll get unacceptable distortion.
# Posted on February 24th 2007 by lazyhound
Re: foiled at step one, cassettes to cd/mp3
my husband's work laptop has a port that seems to work, so he is having a go on an old Steeleye Span tape (by absolutely total coincidence to the Infection thread). So far so good. I have looked up re the SoundBlaster audio card, and will try that if his computer plu Audacity can't do the job. Thanks for the help. It is great to get such specific help too.
# Posted on February 24th 2007 by mrs.b
Re: foiled at step one, cassettes to cd/mp3
Back to 'audio interfaces' ~ they have their advantages, especially with laptops, and the Edirol one's and Creative's have good Analog to Digital conversion... You can also get them cheap. IF you want extra bells Edirol's UA-4FX is great and you have physical input and output controls and a good lighted guide to prevent you from pushing it into the red. This also means you can boost low signals, and there are EFFECTS ~ and some of these are great additions, like the tube simulation if you'd like to 'warm' the sound a little, and there's 'noise suppression' and 'enhancement', etc... For the price it is great, USB, and portable...
# Posted on February 24th 2007 by ceolachan
Re: foiled at step one, cassettes to cd/mp3
That was my STEP #1 ~ get an audio interface...
The 'come with' sound features of off-the-shelf computers, including laptops, is usually awful, leaves much to be desired as far as audio... That isn't their primary design, despite the usual claim of multi-media... A 'seperate' soundcard, next time your shopping, is much preferable to just a chip or two on the motherboard... A sererate dedicated card also usually means extra software too.
# Posted on February 24th 2007 by ceolachan