How can I transfer music from a Cassette tape to my computer?

How to Transfer Cassette Tape to Computer

1.Get your supplies together. You have several options. See the “Supplies You'll Need” section below for a list of these.

2.Rewind or fast-forward your cassette to the desired spot.

3.Connect the red and white RCA plugs to the appropriate, color-coded output jacks (line-out) on your cassette player or stereo receiver. Or connect one end of a double-ended 3.5mm stereo cable into the headphone output of your tape player.

4.Cable Converter

Connect the other end of your chosen cable to the “line-in" of your computer sound card. The 3.5mm Stereo plug is just like the plug of an earphone that you use in your Walkman or iPod. Adaptors are also available which allow you to use your computer’s USB port. For more details on the options see the “Things You’ll Need” section.

5.Turn on your computer and cassette player.

6.MS Sound Recorder

Open the sound-recording software you want to use. You can use just about any sound recording software. Microsoft Sound Recorder, which is standard in Microsoft Windows, will work for brief snippets, but it can be quite tedious to adjust the amount of time it will record (the default is only 60 seconds; you have to prepare your file beforehand by hitting the Record button each time it reaches the end, until you get a file large enough to hold the audio you'll be recording; then hit Rewind before recording), and it may not serve you well if you need to do extensive editing. If you do want to use Sound Recorder follow these instructions: click “Start” - “Programs” - scroll to and click on “Accessories” – scroll to and click on “Entertainment” – select “Sound Recorder”. You could also use a free sound recording like Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net)./ If you use this sound recording software, you can touch up the audio (raise volume, clear some static areas) and even export to mp3.

7.Click the record button in your sound recording software. (In Sound Recorder and many other programs, this is the button with the red dot.) Start recording before you hit “play” on your cassette player so you make sure you don’t miss anything at the beginning.

8.Press “play” on your cassette deck. The computer will record the audio coming from your cassette player.

9.Click the “stop” button (typically a black square) when you are finished. If you want to record for a long time (a whole cassette, for example), you don’t have to sit around and wait for the recording to finish. Your recorder will continue recording after the tape stops, and you can just cut the silent portion when you edit the recording. You do, however, want to make sure your recorder will record for long enough to capture all the audio you want. If it doesn’t, simply record each track one at a time.

10.Save the audio file by clicking “File” – “Save”. A new window will open and you can give the file a name and choose a location on your hard drive to save to.

11.Edit your recording. You may not need to do any editing, but if you want to cut out silences, erase some tracks, or change the volume, for example, most sound-recording programs will allow you to do so. When editing, it is a good idea to keep the original file as a backup and change the names of edited files when you save them in case you find you made a mistake. When you’re sure you like the edited file, you can delete the original to save memory space on your computer.

12.Burn audio to CD if desired.

All you need is a recording program and a sound card on your PC. If you have a laptop, chances are it will have one built in. For the program, you can use Windows Record or better, download something like Audacity. Connect the output from the cassette player to your computer's sound input socket. For this you need a cable - 3.5mm plugs on both ends. Then all you need to do is to start the program to record, press play on your cassette player, etc. and go. You can even edit the file later and eliminate hiss, etc.

If you have a sound system, there is usually a "port" at the back. A connection lead may be purchased - mine cost around £5.00 and the other end goes into the serial interface on the PC. You can probably download or borrow software ( I have audiolab, cost around £10.00) and you can use this to take all the hissing and scratching out of the music before you put it on CD. If I can do it I can assure you it can't be that difficult.

If you have a tape player (preferably Stereo ) ( with headphone out) or phono out sockets.

And on your computer.

A mic input 1 * stereo( left +right) or 1* mono ( left) & 1* mono ( right).

All you need is a jack to jack(s) cable. or phono to jack(s)

The standard windows sound recorder is a low bit rate ok for talking but no good for music.

Here is an open source (free) high bit sound recorder for you.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Ps I have done this and the only advise i will give is set up your output volume from your tape player low to start , the recorder will give you a level bar so you know when you are in the correct range.

there are ways to do this quite easily. I saw one of these in the paper a while ago, and I think it was about 30 pounds.What it is, is a wire (which connects from your cassette or record player to your usb, or microphone input on your laptop), and some software, which will convert the analogue files into mp3 files ready for your ipod or just your computer.

Here is the link to a product on amazon ( I don't work for them, It was the first thing I found!)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Magix-Rescue-Your-Vinyl-Ta...

Sounds too complicated for me. I just play mine in the cassette player in the car. Just found a blank one must go out into the cold and see whats on it. Hope you get sorted.

Depending on your computer skill level you can follow the directions of these sites listed below.

To make it easy on yourself you can buy this special cassette deck:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/digital-conve...

You record them to CD and then upload the CD to the comp - I will be glad to do it for you Greybeard if you send me the cassettes - just mail me.

Check here http://j.mp/1lqfxS5 if you want to get for free Audacity

I guess it's the sotware you need.

Good Bye

No a specialist gadget will be required