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Music, Audio, and Podcasting
Help Converting Cassette Tapes to Digital
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<blockquote data-quote="ChrisBryant" data-source="post: 1901312" data-attributes="member: 410543"><p>Nick, hi! Thank you for the fast response. I visited the article to which you linked me and now have further questions. It claims a tape deck is best for audio quality and, thus, is my preferred option. This is what it says about connecting it:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Connect the tape deck to your computer</strong>: This is how your computer records and digitizes the audio. It’s just like plugging your tape deck into a speaker. But every computer and tape deck is different, so you might have to buy some cables:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>3.5mm microphone input</strong>: You can use a male-to-male <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NO73MUQ/?tag=macforums0e4-20" target="_blank">3.5mm cable</a> to connect your tape deck’s 3.5mm headphone output to your computer’s microphone input (the blue one). If your tape deck’s headphone port isn’t 3.5mm, you can use an <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D5H8JW0/?tag=macforums0e4-20" target="_blank">RCA to 3.5mm cable</a>.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>1/4 inch to 3.5mm</strong>: If your tape deck has a 1/4-inch headphone jack, you can use a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y2LANNW/?tag=macforums0e4-20" target="_blank">1/4-inch-to-3.5mm cable</a>. Some tape decks output audio with two separate 1/4-inch jacks. In that case, you’ll need a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZKM3S4S/?tag=macforums0e4-20" target="_blank">stereo 1/4-inch-to-3.5mm cable</a>.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><strong>Capture card</strong>: If your computer doesn’t have a 3.5mm microphone input, you can plug a cheap <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079CBGDST/?tag=macforums0e4-20" target="_blank">audio capture card</a> into its USB port to add microphone functionality.</li> </ul></li> </ul><p></p><p>I read the above and my head swirls. But insofar as I am able to make sense of it, I notice that it doesn't mention USB wires or ports, at least until the end maybe. The device to which the article links me (their recommendation, I presume) is this one: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009V3TT/?tag=macforums0e4-20" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a></p><p></p><p>I have no qualms purchasing it, but would like reassurance that it is compatible before doing so. Incidentally, I already have one of these: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X1VYRN3/?tag=macforums0e4-20" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a></p><p></p><p>For whatever it's worth, I have tried the article's first recommendation of a USB Cassette Converter. When plugged in, my laptop's recognition of the device would be spotty, flashing as if recognized, then disappearing mere moments later. I took it to the Genius Bar, but to no avail. Their theory was to blame the device. And they are probably right, as it was only one brand/model of a USB Cassette Converter, of which there are probably many more. Mine was bought from Walmart, should that make any difference. But my point—and forgive me for taking so long to make it—is that why not just spring for the tape deck at this point?</p><p></p><p>And thank you to Jake for your additional advice.</p><p></p><p>So but in sum, Idk if the "male-to-male 3.5mm cable" goes into the USB port (that is, with or without the adapter) or elsewhere.</p><p></p><p>Thank you,</p><p></p><p>Chris</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ChrisBryant, post: 1901312, member: 410543"] Nick, hi! Thank you for the fast response. I visited the article to which you linked me and now have further questions. It claims a tape deck is best for audio quality and, thus, is my preferred option. This is what it says about connecting it: [LIST] [*][B]Connect the tape deck to your computer[/B]: This is how your computer records and digitizes the audio. It’s just like plugging your tape deck into a speaker. But every computer and tape deck is different, so you might have to buy some cables: [LIST] [*][B]3.5mm microphone input[/B]: You can use a male-to-male [URL='https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NO73MUQ/?tag=macforums0e4-20']3.5mm cable[/URL] to connect your tape deck’s 3.5mm headphone output to your computer’s microphone input (the blue one). If your tape deck’s headphone port isn’t 3.5mm, you can use an [URL='https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D5H8JW0/?tag=macforums0e4-20']RCA to 3.5mm cable[/URL]. [*][B]1/4 inch to 3.5mm[/B]: If your tape deck has a 1/4-inch headphone jack, you can use a [URL='https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y2LANNW/?tag=macforums0e4-20']1/4-inch-to-3.5mm cable[/URL]. Some tape decks output audio with two separate 1/4-inch jacks. In that case, you’ll need a [URL='https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZKM3S4S/?tag=macforums0e4-20']stereo 1/4-inch-to-3.5mm cable[/URL]. [*][B]Capture card[/B]: If your computer doesn’t have a 3.5mm microphone input, you can plug a cheap [URL='https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079CBGDST/?tag=macforums0e4-20']audio capture card[/URL] into its USB port to add microphone functionality. [/LIST] [/LIST] I read the above and my head swirls. But insofar as I am able to make sense of it, I notice that it doesn't mention USB wires or ports, at least until the end maybe. The device to which the article links me (their recommendation, I presume) is this one: [URL='https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009V3TT/?tag=macforums0e4-20']Amazon.com[/URL] I have no qualms purchasing it, but would like reassurance that it is compatible before doing so. Incidentally, I already have one of these: [URL="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X1VYRN3/?tag=macforums0e4-20"]Amazon.com[/URL] For whatever it's worth, I have tried the article's first recommendation of a USB Cassette Converter. When plugged in, my laptop's recognition of the device would be spotty, flashing as if recognized, then disappearing mere moments later. I took it to the Genius Bar, but to no avail. Their theory was to blame the device. And they are probably right, as it was only one brand/model of a USB Cassette Converter, of which there are probably many more. Mine was bought from Walmart, should that make any difference. But my point—and forgive me for taking so long to make it—is that why not just spring for the tape deck at this point? And thank you to Jake for your additional advice. So but in sum, Idk if the "male-to-male 3.5mm cable" goes into the USB port (that is, with or without the adapter) or elsewhere. Thank you, Chris [/QUOTE]
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