Transferring from Cassette to digital audio file...

[vta]

For all the years I've been using a computer for work and entertainment, I've never transferred any music to mp3 or any other digital format.

My stereo is too big and in another room, so I guess I have to go buy a small tape player and hook it up through an audio port? Any idea's how this is done? I'm using an Apple computer.

 

[arglebargle]

Here's a couple of links with some basic, helpful ideas. Also, the ION company has been making record and cassette players for years that plug into computers via USB and come with software to record more or less automatically. Not so sure about the Apple compatibility of those though. Garageband may be able to do it.

Audacity is a good, free program for recording and is both open source and platform neutral.

http://www.wikihow.com/Transfer-Cassette-Tape-to-Computer

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/convert-lps-audio-cassettes-to-mp3-in-5-easy-steps/

 

[Hoofbite]

What are you trying to listen to?

Unless it is personal recordings or maybe a stash of Jim Jones speeches, I can't imagine anything that would even be on tape.

As to an answer, a simple 3.5mm jack with a line input plug on the other end would probably work. Pretty sure you want "line in" because the mic input maybe only capture mono.

 

[hairic]

I'd fully explore noise reduction ability/techniques before doing this. Going from analog to digital will add line noise when doing the conversion.

 

[vta]

What are you trying to listen to?

Unless it is personal recordings or maybe a stash of Jim Jones speeches, I can't imagine anything that would even be on tape.

As to an answer, a simple 3.5mm jack with a line input plug on the other end would probably work. Pretty sure you want "line in" because the mic input maybe only capture mono.

Well, a lot of classical performances are varied based on performers and there's a specific Puccini piece that I want transferred. I bought 3 frigging versions from iTunes and not one them was it, so I won't be buying anymore.

 

[vta]

Here's a couple of links with some basic, helpful ideas. Also, the ION company has been making record and cassette players for years that plug into computers via USB and come with software to record more or less automatically. Not so sure about the Apple compatibility of those though. Garageband may be able to do it.

Audacity is a good, free program for recording and is both open source and platform neutral.

http://www.wikihow.com/Transfer-Cassette-Tape-to-Computer

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/convert-lps-audio-cassettes-to-mp3-in-5-easy-steps/

Awesome, thanks for those links.