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Ripping Audio Tapes
Re: Ripping Audio Tapes
Martin Harrington wrote:
> It's actually not illegal to make a backup copy for your own use.
It depends where you are. In the UK, it is. It's just very rarely enforced.
--
Tciao for Now!
John.
Martin Harrington wrote:
> It's actually not illegal to make a backup copy for your own use.
It depends where you are. In the UK, it is. It's just very rarely enforced.
--
Tciao for Now!
John.
Re: Ripping Audio Tapes
On Nov 1, 12:46 am, "Pan" <p...@panpan,com > wrote:
> I have about 30 audio cassette tapes (C-90)'s. These are
> essentially compilations made over many years from other
> medium (other pre-recorded audio tapes, LP's etc). They
> are all in good condition.
> How do I rip these & transfer them to a CD? Are there any
> free software available which will help me with this? Are there
> many issues involved?
It's as simple or as complicated as you want to make it, but it's
never as simple as transferring audio data as a file from CD to your
computer as there are no "files" on analog cassettes.
The basic concept is simple - you connect the output of a cassette
deck to the input of a computer sound card, open a recording program
on the computer (Audacity is free and works well), start recording,
then start playing the tape. At the end of the tape, stop the
recording and you'll have a file that you can burn to a CD.
If you want to create index numbers on your CD, that's another step.
Some CD burning programs will detect silence and automatically insert
a new track marker, but it's really better to do it manually. If you
want to try to make the CD sound better than the tape, there are some
tweaks you can do the file, but it's also important to start at the
source with a properly aligned and maintained tape deck.
Figure on each tape to be about an evening's work, so transferring 30
isn't a terribly daunting project. If you had a thousand, I'd say
forget it.
On Nov 1, 12:46 am, "Pan" <p...@panpan,com > wrote:
> I have about 30 audio cassette tapes (C-90)'s. These are
> essentially compilations made over many years from other
> medium (other pre-recorded audio tapes, LP's etc). They
> are all in good condition.
> How do I rip these & transfer them to a CD? Are there any
> free software available which will help me with this? Are there
> many issues involved?
It's as simple or as complicated as you want to make it, but it's
never as simple as transferring audio data as a file from CD to your
computer as there are no "files" on analog cassettes.
The basic concept is simple - you connect the output of a cassette
deck to the input of a computer sound card, open a recording program
on the computer (Audacity is free and works well), start recording,
then start playing the tape. At the end of the tape, stop the
recording and you'll have a file that you can burn to a CD.
If you want to create index numbers on your CD, that's another step.
Some CD burning programs will detect silence and automatically insert
a new track marker, but it's really better to do it manually. If you
want to try to make the CD sound better than the tape, there are some
tweaks you can do the file, but it's also important to start at the
source with a properly aligned and maintained tape deck.
Figure on each tape to be about an evening's work, so transferring 30
isn't a terribly daunting project. If you had a thousand, I'd say
forget it.
Re: Ripping Audio Tapes
"Mike Rivers" <mrivers@d-and-d,com > wrote in message
news:1193916337.746379.20840@o38g2000hse.googlegroups,com ...
> It's as simple or as complicated as you want to make it, but it's
> never as simple as transferring audio data as a file from CD to your
> computer as there are no "files" on analog cassettes.
Agreed.
> The basic concept is simple - you connect the output of a cassette
> deck to the input of a computer sound card, open a recording program
> on the computer (Audacity is free and works well), start recording,
> then start playing the tape. At the end of the tape, stop the
> recording and you'll have a file that you can burn to a CD.
Well, sort of. Your best tactic is to start and stop recording well outside
of the bounds of the audio on the tape, and trim off the excess in Audacity.
You'd be wise to record with a little headroom, and bring the levels up in
Audacity. Finally, you might feel the need for a little remastering,
particularly eq. More good stuff to do in Audacity.
That all said, I don't use Audacity that much - most of my work gets done in
Audition/Cool Edit out of habit.
The good news is that unlike transcribing LPs, you don't have a lot of tics
and pops to worry about. So, simpler software like Audacity is a lot closer
to being just as effective.
One tip about Audacity - it seems to take a lot of those freeware plug-ins
that are becoming more and more prolific. They can provide a lot of free
processing power, over and above what you download from the Audacity web
site.
"Mike Rivers" <mrivers@d-and-d,com > wrote in message
news:1193916337.746379.20840@o38g2000hse.googlegroups,com ...
> It's as simple or as complicated as you want to make it, but it's
> never as simple as transferring audio data as a file from CD to your
> computer as there are no "files" on analog cassettes.
Agreed.
> The basic concept is simple - you connect the output of a cassette
> deck to the input of a computer sound card, open a recording program
> on the computer (Audacity is free and works well), start recording,
> then start playing the tape. At the end of the tape, stop the
> recording and you'll have a file that you can burn to a CD.
Well, sort of. Your best tactic is to start and stop recording well outside
of the bounds of the audio on the tape, and trim off the excess in Audacity.
You'd be wise to record with a little headroom, and bring the levels up in
Audacity. Finally, you might feel the need for a little remastering,
particularly eq. More good stuff to do in Audacity.
That all said, I don't use Audacity that much - most of my work gets done in
Audition/Cool Edit out of habit.
The good news is that unlike transcribing LPs, you don't have a lot of tics
and pops to worry about. So, simpler software like Audacity is a lot closer
to being just as effective.
One tip about Audacity - it seems to take a lot of those freeware plug-ins
that are becoming more and more prolific. They can provide a lot of free
processing power, over and above what you download from the Audacity web
site.
Re: Ripping Audio Tapes
Arny Krueger wrote:
>
> You'd be wise to record with a little headroom, and bring the levels up in
> Audacity. Finally, you might feel the need for a little remastering,
> particularly eq. More good stuff to do in Audacity.
Especially the noise removal tool, which works well on the low level
hiss from a reasonably good cassette recording.
Anahata
Arny Krueger wrote:
>
> You'd be wise to record with a little headroom, and bring the levels up in
> Audacity. Finally, you might feel the need for a little remastering,
> particularly eq. More good stuff to do in Audacity.
Especially the noise removal tool, which works well on the low level
hiss from a reasonably good cassette recording.
Anahata
Re: Ripping Audio Tapes
"Arny Krueger" <arnyk@hotpop,com > wrote in message
news:nNGdnZf3DpouV7TanZ2dnUVZ_vyinZ2d@comcast,com ...
> You'd be wise to record with a little headroom, and bring the levels up in
> Audacity.
I don't understand what you mean here!!!
> Finally, you might feel the need for a little remastering,
What do you mean?
> particularly eq. More good stuff to do in Audacity.
>
> That all said, I don't use Audacity that much - most of my work gets done
> in Audition/Cool Edit out of habit.
"Arny Krueger" <arnyk@hotpop,com > wrote in message
news:nNGdnZf3DpouV7TanZ2dnUVZ_vyinZ2d@comcast,com ...
> You'd be wise to record with a little headroom, and bring the levels up in
> Audacity.
I don't understand what you mean here!!!
> Finally, you might feel the need for a little remastering,
What do you mean?
> particularly eq. More good stuff to do in Audacity.
>
> That all said, I don't use Audacity that much - most of my work gets done
> in Audition/Cool Edit out of habit.
Re: Ripping Audio Tapes
"Pan" <para@panpan,com > wrote in message
news:fgjr25$pdp$1@news.datemas.de...
>
> "Arny Krueger" <arnyk@hotpop,com > wrote in message
> news:nNGdnZf3DpouV7TanZ2dnUVZ_vyinZ2d@comcast,com ...
>> You'd be wise to record with a little headroom, and bring the levels up
>> in Audacity.
>
> I don't understand what you mean here!!!
Set levels so that the peaks are a few dB below full scale.
>> Finally, you might feel the need for a little remastering,
> What do you mean?
Equalization, perhaps some adjustment of dynamics.
>> particularly eq. More good stuff to do in Audacity.
>
>> That all said, I don't use Audacity that much - most of my work gets done
>> in Audition/Cool Edit out of habit.
"Pan" <para@panpan,com > wrote in message
news:fgjr25$pdp$1@news.datemas.de...
>
> "Arny Krueger" <arnyk@hotpop,com > wrote in message
> news:nNGdnZf3DpouV7TanZ2dnUVZ_vyinZ2d@comcast,com ...
>> You'd be wise to record with a little headroom, and bring the levels up
>> in Audacity.
>
> I don't understand what you mean here!!!
Set levels so that the peaks are a few dB below full scale.
>> Finally, you might feel the need for a little remastering,
> What do you mean?
Equalization, perhaps some adjustment of dynamics.
>> particularly eq. More good stuff to do in Audacity.
>
>> That all said, I don't use Audacity that much - most of my work gets done
>> in Audition/Cool Edit out of habit.
Re: Ripping Audio Tapes
"Mike Rivers" <mrivers@d-and-d,com > wrote in message
news:1193916337.746379.20840@o38g2000hse.googlegroups,com ...
> The basic concept is simple - you connect the output of a cassette
> deck to the input of a computer sound card, open a recording program
> on the computer (Audacity is free and works well), start recording,
> then start playing the tape. At the end of the tape, stop the
> recording and you'll have a file that you can burn to a CD.
Tx. I am trying to do this using the instructions given here
http :// www .nsftools,com /misc/TapeToCD.htm
The first thing is that I am not able to locate the "Line in"/"input of
the sound card" on my laptop - I have a IBM/Lenovo thinkpad.
I connected on end of my cable to the Headphone hole in my tape
player & the other end to the "Microphone hole" in the laptop -
is the Microphone hole the same as the input of the sound card?
The instructions ask you to select "Line In" in the Audacity screen.
However, I don't see "Line in" as an option on my Audacity - I
see only "Microphone" - is that OK?
Also I noticed that in the windows XP "Master Volume" dialog,
I have a mute button for the Microphone - does that disable
the microphone itself or just prevent the output from going to
the speaker? i.e. should I run audacity with this muted or not
muted - i noticed the recording does happen even with the
microphone muted, I think.
"Mike Rivers" <mrivers@d-and-d,com > wrote in message
news:1193916337.746379.20840@o38g2000hse.googlegroups,com ...
> The basic concept is simple - you connect the output of a cassette
> deck to the input of a computer sound card, open a recording program
> on the computer (Audacity is free and works well), start recording,
> then start playing the tape. At the end of the tape, stop the
> recording and you'll have a file that you can burn to a CD.
Tx. I am trying to do this using the instructions given here
http :// www .nsftools,com /misc/TapeToCD.htm
The first thing is that I am not able to locate the "Line in"/"input of
the sound card" on my laptop - I have a IBM/Lenovo thinkpad.
I connected on end of my cable to the Headphone hole in my tape
player & the other end to the "Microphone hole" in the laptop -
is the Microphone hole the same as the input of the sound card?
The instructions ask you to select "Line In" in the Audacity screen.
However, I don't see "Line in" as an option on my Audacity - I
see only "Microphone" - is that OK?
Also I noticed that in the windows XP "Master Volume" dialog,
I have a mute button for the Microphone - does that disable
the microphone itself or just prevent the output from going to
the speaker? i.e. should I run audacity with this muted or not
muted - i noticed the recording does happen even with the
microphone muted, I think.
Re: Ripping Audio Tapes
In article <fgjq92$n3r$1@news.datemas.de>, Pan <para@panpan,com > wrote:
>The first thing is that I am not able to locate the "Line in"/"input of
>the sound card" on my laptop - I have a IBM/Lenovo thinkpad.
>I connected on end of my cable to the Headphone hole in my tape
>player & the other end to the "Microphone hole" in the laptop -
>is the Microphone hole the same as the input of the sound card?
>The instructions ask you to select "Line In" in the Audacity screen.
>However, I don't see "Line in" as an option on my Audacity - I
>see only "Microphone" - is that OK?
No, it's not. The microphone input is different, and I think you may
be in trouble because the IBM laptops do not have line inputs. Try
another computer. Pretty much any desktop should have one.
>Also I noticed that in the windows XP "Master Volume" dialog,
>I have a mute button for the Microphone - does that disable
>the microphone itself or just prevent the output from going to
>the speaker? i.e. should I run audacity with this muted or not
>muted - i noticed the recording does happen even with the
>microphone muted, I think.
If you select the line input, it doesn't matter what the microphone
input is doing, what is plugged into it or if it is muted. You need
a machine with a real line input.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
In article <fgjq92$n3r$1@news.datemas.de>, Pan <para@panpan,com > wrote:
>The first thing is that I am not able to locate the "Line in"/"input of
>the sound card" on my laptop - I have a IBM/Lenovo thinkpad.
>I connected on end of my cable to the Headphone hole in my tape
>player & the other end to the "Microphone hole" in the laptop -
>is the Microphone hole the same as the input of the sound card?
>The instructions ask you to select "Line In" in the Audacity screen.
>However, I don't see "Line in" as an option on my Audacity - I
>see only "Microphone" - is that OK?
No, it's not. The microphone input is different, and I think you may
be in trouble because the IBM laptops do not have line inputs. Try
another computer. Pretty much any desktop should have one.
>Also I noticed that in the windows XP "Master Volume" dialog,
>I have a mute button for the Microphone - does that disable
>the microphone itself or just prevent the output from going to
>the speaker? i.e. should I run audacity with this muted or not
>muted - i noticed the recording does happen even with the
>microphone muted, I think.
If you select the line input, it doesn't matter what the microphone
input is doing, what is plugged into it or if it is muted. You need
a machine with a real line input.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
Re: Ripping Audio Tapes
In article <fgke3c$gh5$1@panix2.panix,com >, kludge@panix,com says...
> In article <fgjq92$n3r$1@news.datemas.de>, Pan <para@panpan,com > wrote:
> >The first thing is that I am not able to locate the "Line in"/"input of
> >the sound card" on my laptop - I have a IBM/Lenovo thinkpad.
> >I connected on end of my cable to the Headphone hole in my tape
> >player & the other end to the "Microphone hole" in the laptop -
> >is the Microphone hole the same as the input of the sound card?
> >The instructions ask you to select "Line In" in the Audacity screen.
> >However, I don't see "Line in" as an option on my Audacity - I
> >see only "Microphone" - is that OK?
>
> No, it's not. The microphone input is different, and I think you may
> be in trouble because the IBM laptops do not have line inputs. Try
> another computer. Pretty much any desktop should have one.
>
> >Also I noticed that in the windows XP "Master Volume" dialog,
> >I have a mute button for the Microphone - does that disable
> >the microphone itself or just prevent the output from going to
> >the speaker? i.e. should I run audacity with this muted or not
> >muted - i noticed the recording does happen even with the
> >microphone muted, I think.
>
> If you select the line input, it doesn't matter what the microphone
> input is doing, what is plugged into it or if it is muted. You need
> a machine with a real line input.
> --scott
>
This is not always true. I've worked with a Dell laptop which had a
combination mic/line input. It was labelled "mic" IIRC. According to the
manual, if you plugged a stereo 1/8" line source into it, it would
autodetect and work correctly. I was surprised when it worked as
described. I was able to get a useable recording of a soprano in a church
using a pair of km184's into a mackie board into the laptop input. Not my
preferred method, but given the situation, and the lack of other options,
I went with it. The client was pleased with the result.
Peace
Art Cohen
In article <fgke3c$gh5$1@panix2.panix,com >, kludge@panix,com says...
> In article <fgjq92$n3r$1@news.datemas.de>, Pan <para@panpan,com > wrote:
> >The first thing is that I am not able to locate the "Line in"/"input of
> >the sound card" on my laptop - I have a IBM/Lenovo thinkpad.
> >I connected on end of my cable to the Headphone hole in my tape
> >player & the other end to the "Microphone hole" in the laptop -
> >is the Microphone hole the same as the input of the sound card?
> >The instructions ask you to select "Line In" in the Audacity screen.
> >However, I don't see "Line in" as an option on my Audacity - I
> >see only "Microphone" - is that OK?
>
> No, it's not. The microphone input is different, and I think you may
> be in trouble because the IBM laptops do not have line inputs. Try
> another computer. Pretty much any desktop should have one.
>
> >Also I noticed that in the windows XP "Master Volume" dialog,
> >I have a mute button for the Microphone - does that disable
> >the microphone itself or just prevent the output from going to
> >the speaker? i.e. should I run audacity with this muted or not
> >muted - i noticed the recording does happen even with the
> >microphone muted, I think.
>
> If you select the line input, it doesn't matter what the microphone
> input is doing, what is plugged into it or if it is muted. You need
> a machine with a real line input.
> --scott
>
This is not always true. I've worked with a Dell laptop which had a
combination mic/line input. It was labelled "mic" IIRC. According to the
manual, if you plugged a stereo 1/8" line source into it, it would
autodetect and work correctly. I was surprised when it worked as
described. I was able to get a useable recording of a soprano in a church
using a pair of km184's into a mackie board into the laptop input. Not my
preferred method, but given the situation, and the lack of other options,
I went with it. The client was pleased with the result.
Peace
Art Cohen
Re: Ripping Audio Tapes
On Nov 5, 12:47 pm, Art Cohen <artco...@NOXSPAM.voicenet,com > wrote:
> This is not always true. I've worked with a Dell laptop which had a
> combination mic/line input.
Nothing about computers is always true. I have an older Dell laptop
that's like that, and a newer IBM laptop that has only a mono mic
level input that's normalled to the built-in mic.
On Nov 5, 12:47 pm, Art Cohen <artco...@NOXSPAM.voicenet,com > wrote:
> This is not always true. I've worked with a Dell laptop which had a
> combination mic/line input.
Nothing about computers is always true. I have an older Dell laptop
that's like that, and a newer IBM laptop that has only a mono mic
level input that's normalled to the built-in mic.
Re: Ripping Audio Tapes
"Pan" wrote ...
> The first thing is that I am not able to locate the "Line in"/"input
> of
> the sound card" on my laptop - I have a IBM/Lenovo thinkpad.
> I connected on end of my cable to the Headphone hole in my tape
> player & the other end to the "Microphone hole" in the laptop -
> is the Microphone hole the same as the input of the sound card?
No. The mic input is different and almost always monaural.
The IBM/Lenovo (as most laptops) do not have line inputs.
Line inputs are relatively comon on desktop/tower systems.
If you can live with a low-quality mono recording, it is possible
to kludge the mic input. Otherwise, you will need a real stereo
line input. It is possible (and frequently more desirable) to use
an external USB device rather than the sound circuitry built into
the computer.
"Pan" wrote ...
> The first thing is that I am not able to locate the "Line in"/"input
> of
> the sound card" on my laptop - I have a IBM/Lenovo thinkpad.
> I connected on end of my cable to the Headphone hole in my tape
> player & the other end to the "Microphone hole" in the laptop -
> is the Microphone hole the same as the input of the sound card?
No. The mic input is different and almost always monaural.
The IBM/Lenovo (as most laptops) do not have line inputs.
Line inputs are relatively comon on desktop/tower systems.
If you can live with a low-quality mono recording, it is possible
to kludge the mic input. Otherwise, you will need a real stereo
line input. It is possible (and frequently more desirable) to use
an external USB device rather than the sound circuitry built into
the computer.
Re: Ripping Audio Tapes
On Nov 4, 1:53 am, "Pan" <p...@panpan,com > wrote:
> Tx. I am trying to do this using the instructions given here http :// www .nsftools,com /misc/TapeToCD.htm
Oh. Your problem is that you're trying to use instructions that apply
to the writer's computer, not yours.
> The first thing is that I am not able to locate the "Line in"/"input of
> the sound card" on my laptop - I have a IBM/Lenovo thinkpad.
That's because your computer doesn't have a line input. The sound card
input is intended for use with a microphone for on-line voice
chatting, not for real recording. It isn't even stereo. You need to
get an outboard "sound card" for your computer. There are really cheap
USB gadgets that will do the job (not very well) or expensive
interfaces. You need to go to a music store (not a computer store -
they only sell the cheap junk) and buy something that costs what you
can justify for this project.
> I connected on end of my cable to the Headphone hole in my tape
> player & the other end to the "Microphone hole" in the laptop -
> is the Microphone hole the same as the input of the sound card?
> The instructions ask you to select "Line In" in the Audacity screen.
> However, I don't see "Line in" as an option on my Audacity - I
> see only "Microphone" - is that OK?
The little "microphone" slider in Audacity is what adjusts the record
level input from whatever source you have selected. If your computer
has only a mic input, that will probably have too much gain and will
give you a distorted recording. You might be able to get a usable
recording, but not a good quality one, by turning the volume on your
tape player way down so as not to overload the mic input on your
computer. It's good enough to learn how the process works, but you may
not be satisfied with the quality of the copy you make. Or maybe you
will. You'll have to judge that.
The "sound card" goes through the Windows mixer, the one that comes up
when you double-click the little loudspeaker icon at the bottom of
your screen. That's where you'll find the adjustment for Mic or Line
level if there is indeed one on your computer. It's possible that on
your computer, the built-in sound card is capable of switching gain
ranges when you select the mic or line input as the recording device.
You won't find this in any documentation from IBM, nor is it worth the
trouble to try to research it on line. See if you can find a "Line"
input on the Windows mixer and if you can, give it a try. You may have
to check a box in "properties" and make sure you're looking at
"recording" properties.
> Also I noticed that in the windows XP "Master Volume" dialog,
> I have a mute button for the Microphone - does that disable
> the microphone itself or just prevent the output from going to
> the speaker?
These things are never very clear. You just have to experiment. In the
best possible situation. you'd mute the Mic input, un-mute the Line
input, plug in your tape player, and with the reocord volume slider on
the Line Input of the Windows mixer about half to 3/4 of the way up,
and the Record level slider in Audacity at about that same position,
you'll get a usable reading on Audacity's record level meters. But if
you can't get that arrangement, fiddle around with various settings
and see what it takes to at least get a signal to record in Audacity.
It might be distorted. It might not be stereo. But if you keep track
of what you're doing, you should be able to sort it out.
You may never get anything usable with your built-in sound card, or
you may decide it's not worth the trouble. An external one with a real
line input is much easier to use, but if you don't want to spend any
money (you should be able to get away with less than $100 - look at
the Edirol UA1-EX if you don't have any better ideas) you might be
able to do a mediocre job with what you have.
On Nov 4, 1:53 am, "Pan" <p...@panpan,com > wrote:
> Tx. I am trying to do this using the instructions given here http :// www .nsftools,com /misc/TapeToCD.htm
Oh. Your problem is that you're trying to use instructions that apply
to the writer's computer, not yours.
> The first thing is that I am not able to locate the "Line in"/"input of
> the sound card" on my laptop - I have a IBM/Lenovo thinkpad.
That's because your computer doesn't have a line input. The sound card
input is intended for use with a microphone for on-line voice
chatting, not for real recording. It isn't even stereo. You need to
get an outboard "sound card" for your computer. There are really cheap
USB gadgets that will do the job (not very well) or expensive
interfaces. You need to go to a music store (not a computer store -
they only sell the cheap junk) and buy something that costs what you
can justify for this project.
> I connected on end of my cable to the Headphone hole in my tape
> player & the other end to the "Microphone hole" in the laptop -
> is the Microphone hole the same as the input of the sound card?
> The instructions ask you to select "Line In" in the Audacity screen.
> However, I don't see "Line in" as an option on my Audacity - I
> see only "Microphone" - is that OK?
The little "microphone" slider in Audacity is what adjusts the record
level input from whatever source you have selected. If your computer
has only a mic input, that will probably have too much gain and will
give you a distorted recording. You might be able to get a usable
recording, but not a good quality one, by turning the volume on your
tape player way down so as not to overload the mic input on your
computer. It's good enough to learn how the process works, but you may
not be satisfied with the quality of the copy you make. Or maybe you
will. You'll have to judge that.
The "sound card" goes through the Windows mixer, the one that comes up
when you double-click the little loudspeaker icon at the bottom of
your screen. That's where you'll find the adjustment for Mic or Line
level if there is indeed one on your computer. It's possible that on
your computer, the built-in sound card is capable of switching gain
ranges when you select the mic or line input as the recording device.
You won't find this in any documentation from IBM, nor is it worth the
trouble to try to research it on line. See if you can find a "Line"
input on the Windows mixer and if you can, give it a try. You may have
to check a box in "properties" and make sure you're looking at
"recording" properties.
> Also I noticed that in the windows XP "Master Volume" dialog,
> I have a mute button for the Microphone - does that disable
> the microphone itself or just prevent the output from going to
> the speaker?
These things are never very clear. You just have to experiment. In the
best possible situation. you'd mute the Mic input, un-mute the Line
input, plug in your tape player, and with the reocord volume slider on
the Line Input of the Windows mixer about half to 3/4 of the way up,
and the Record level slider in Audacity at about that same position,
you'll get a usable reading on Audacity's record level meters. But if
you can't get that arrangement, fiddle around with various settings
and see what it takes to at least get a signal to record in Audacity.
It might be distorted. It might not be stereo. But if you keep track
of what you're doing, you should be able to sort it out.
You may never get anything usable with your built-in sound card, or
you may decide it's not worth the trouble. An external one with a real
line input is much easier to use, but if you don't want to spend any
money (you should be able to get away with less than $100 - look at
the Edirol UA1-EX if you don't have any better ideas) you might be
able to do a mediocre job with what you have.
Re: Ripping Audio Tapes
"Mike Rivers" <mrivers@d-and-d,com > wrote in message
news:1194181578.011451.247580@d55g2000hsg.googlegroups,com ...
> On Nov 4, 1:53 am, "Pan" <p...@panpan,com > wrote:
>
>> Tx. I am trying to do this using the instructions given
>> here http :// www .nsftools,com /misc/TapeToCD.htm
>
> Oh. Your problem is that you're trying to use instructions that apply
> to the writer's computer, not yours.
>
>> The first thing is that I am not able to locate the "Line in"/"input of
>> the sound card" on my laptop - I have a IBM/Lenovo thinkpad.
>
> That's because your computer doesn't have a line input. The sound card
> input is intended for use with a microphone for on-line voice
> chatting, not for real recording. It isn't even stereo. You need to
> get an outboard "sound card" for your computer.
My desktop has 3 holes at the back - one green labelled "Out",
one blue labelled "In" & a Pink one with a small icon of a "mic".
I am assuming that the "In" is the line-in you are talking about.
I tried the laptop first because the PC & the Tape Player are in
different rooms. I have a smaller portable tape player which I
will take to the desktop & try it with that.
Tx a lot for your help.
"Mike Rivers" <mrivers@d-and-d,com > wrote in message
news:1194181578.011451.247580@d55g2000hsg.googlegroups,com ...
> On Nov 4, 1:53 am, "Pan" <p...@panpan,com > wrote:
>
>> Tx. I am trying to do this using the instructions given
>> here http :// www .nsftools,com /misc/TapeToCD.htm
>
> Oh. Your problem is that you're trying to use instructions that apply
> to the writer's computer, not yours.
>
>> The first thing is that I am not able to locate the "Line in"/"input of
>> the sound card" on my laptop - I have a IBM/Lenovo thinkpad.
>
> That's because your computer doesn't have a line input. The sound card
> input is intended for use with a microphone for on-line voice
> chatting, not for real recording. It isn't even stereo. You need to
> get an outboard "sound card" for your computer.
My desktop has 3 holes at the back - one green labelled "Out",
one blue labelled "In" & a Pink one with a small icon of a "mic".
I am assuming that the "In" is the line-in you are talking about.
I tried the laptop first because the PC & the Tape Player are in
different rooms. I have a smaller portable tape player which I
will take to the desktop & try it with that.
Tx a lot for your help.
Re: Ripping Audio Tapes
"Pan" wrote ...
> My desktop has 3 holes at the back - one green labelled "Out",
> one blue labelled "In" & a Pink one with a small icon of a "mic".
>
> I am assuming that the "In" is the line-in you are talking about.
Yes, that is quite likely exactly what you are looking for.
Remember that you must use the Windows control
screen(s) to select which input to record from, and to set
the recording level (volume).
> I tried the laptop first because the PC & the Tape Player are in
> different rooms. I have a smaller portable tape player which I
> will take to the desktop & try it with that.
Wouldn't it be convieient if our laptops had stereo line inputs.
OTOH, they would probably be pretty noisy given the tight
conditions inside a typical portable machine.
"Pan" wrote ...
> My desktop has 3 holes at the back - one green labelled "Out",
> one blue labelled "In" & a Pink one with a small icon of a "mic".
>
> I am assuming that the "In" is the line-in you are talking about.
Yes, that is quite likely exactly what you are looking for.
Remember that you must use the Windows control
screen(s) to select which input to record from, and to set
the recording level (volume).
> I tried the laptop first because the PC & the Tape Player are in
> different rooms. I have a smaller portable tape player which I
> will take to the desktop & try it with that.
Wouldn't it be convieient if our laptops had stereo line inputs.
OTOH, they would probably be pretty noisy given the tight
conditions inside a typical portable machine.
Re: Ripping Audio Tapes
Pan wrote:
> Hi,
> I have about 30 audio cassette tapes (C-90)'s. These are
> essentially compilations made over many years from other
> medium (other pre-recorded audio tapes, LP's etc). They
> are all in good condition.
>
> How do I rip these & transfer them to a CD? Are there any
> free software available which will help me with this? Are there
> many issues involved?
>
>
There's several possibilities to digit them, for instance burn them CD-r
records.
But, I'm just wonder there's many times when people asked the same
question, they wonder, do the moving process work only real-time, not
faster than 1 x...
Why on earth you must move the old recordings into CD-records if you
hate to listen them...;-)
-P
Pan wrote:
> Hi,
> I have about 30 audio cassette tapes (C-90)'s. These are
> essentially compilations made over many years from other
> medium (other pre-recorded audio tapes, LP's etc). They
> are all in good condition.
>
> How do I rip these & transfer them to a CD? Are there any
> free software available which will help me with this? Are there
> many issues involved?
>
>
There's several possibilities to digit them, for instance burn them CD-r
records.
But, I'm just wonder there's many times when people asked the same
question, they wonder, do the moving process work only real-time, not
faster than 1 x...
Why on earth you must move the old recordings into CD-records if you
hate to listen them...;-)
-P
