Hi all.
If this is not the forum to ask this question, then please advise and I will ask my question there.
My question is this. I have a number of (lots actually) audio cassettes that I used to use in my vehicle.
I have upgraded my sound system from a radio cassette to a radio CD/MP3 player and now I wish to convert some of these audio tapes to disk , preferably to MP's as I can get more onto a single disk.
If not too much is involved, would anyone please be able to advise me what program is required (free would be very nice ) and just as important, the simplest way I should connect my Walkman to my PC for the actual transfer.
Unfortunately the Walkman is the only portable device with earphone jacks I can lay my hands on.
I run XP Pro + SP2. Pen 4, 1800Mhz 512 RDRAM.
All advice appreciated
Hi. First of all, I think it's important for you to know that if you have an integrated audio card you can't expect nothing good from recorded audio (unless the integrated is really good..), especially if reproduced from a walkman.
If you really want to backup your cassettes on CD-MP3, I suggest you to spend a few money and buy an audio card (there're cheap SoundBlaster models which work quite good).
IMO the device is REALLY more important that the software used when you work with audio sources..
Second, considered that the quality of an old audio cassette isn't really high, and you don't want to buy expensive softwares, I think that audacity can do the job: it's simple and has a few options, but it works quite good.
Of course there're other free softwares that can do that, but.. hey, I'm at work now and it's lunch time!
If I'm not wrong at home I have a nice tool I used to convert some cassettes, I'll check and post the link tonight.
Third: in 99% you'll need just a simple double jack connector.
Like you I have an ongoing project to transfer my cassettes and vinal albums to cd. I use Cool Edit pro(now Adobe Audition). I'm not sure that i agree that hardware is more important that the software used. At the very least you need a software that can filter out tape hiss, cracks and pops, and line hum from the transfer.
depending on the quality you want to achieve it can be a lenghty process.
Scott
Hi guys.
Thanks for your input.
As to the audio card, I made a check of my system and found under the heading of Audio Devices:
C-Media CM18738/C3DX.
Mod, would that be my audio card that I have to plug my jack into?
As yet I have not checked out quot;audacityquot;, I am about to do that now.
Spuddog, you may be right in some regard as the tape hiss is at the back of my mind also.
Any further info is welcome still.
Regards
Originally Posted by JansetC-Media CM18738/C3DX.
Mod, would that be my audio card that I have to plug my jack into?
From the datasheet of your card, it seems that it can do the job.
Buy a double stereo-jack cable and try to capture some minutes, just to hear how is the quality of the recording (set the maximum frequency and bit depth of course). I suggest you not to capture directly to mp3 format, because it would result in a really lossy compression: I would encode in PCM and after re-encode in mp3 format.
I partially agree with Spuddog that software IS important, especially to remove artifacts. But recording your material with low quality INTRODUCES artifact and noise.. so if your hardware works good you'll have less noise to remove.
A simple free tool is Free WaveEditor, give it a try.
Also Steinberg WaveLab is good.
Thanks for the input guys.
Now it's up to me. Come Monday I will get the cabling and see what happens. With a bit of luck, the end product will be at least 'acceptable'. I will Keep your fingers crossed.
Regards
Originally Posted by modFrom the datasheet of your card, it seems that it can do the job.
Buy a
double stereo-jack cable
and try to capture some minutes, just to hear how is the quality of the recording (set the maximum frequency and bit depth of course). I suggest you not to capture directly to mp3 format, because it would result in a really lossy compression: I would encode in PCM and after re-encode in mp3 format.
I partially agree with Spuddog that software IS important, especially to remove artifacts. But recording your material with low quality INTRODUCES artifact and noise.. so if your hardware works good you'll have less noise to remove.
A simple free tool is Free WaveEditor, give it a try.
Also Steinberg WaveLab is good.
PLZZ HELP ME TO KNOW HOW DOES THIS JACK LOOKS LIKE
Stereo audio 1/8quot; male plug to stereo RCA left/right channel Y-adaptor cable:Right, assuming he has a full size tape deck with RCA outputs.
He mentioned a Walkman I think, which would need 1/8quot; Stereo minijacks on both ends (the smaller connector in the provided photo).
The biggest problem with this setup in my mind is the fact that a walkman will not output a line level signal (amplified headphone signal only). Using a standalone deck with RCA outputs and the cable in the picture will produce much better quality.
~MiSfit
Just came across this thread, and you guys gave me an idea how to digitalize those couple hundreds old tapes I've got. I will only have to check if my RCA outputs work with cassette player, or are they only for CD (Panasonic RXDT505, good old friend of mine). If so, I would have to dig out an ancient tape deck.
Thank very much, appreciated. |
Post at 2011-4-15 14:27
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