Question:

I am currently running Windows XP Professional, which includes a DVD/CD burner, and I would like to copy my cassette tapes to CDs via the computer. What kind of hardware/software would I need that would enable me to do this? Step-by-step, detailed instructions would be appreciated.

Submitted by: Cheryl S.




Answer:

Recording to your PC is easy and fun; I have been doing this for years with my album collection. You probably already have some software that can do this, as most DVD/CD burners come with bundled software that can be installed. There are a few areas in your operating system you will need to familiarize yourself with, mostly your system mixer. You will also need some cables; your cassette/stereo system will dictate these.

Generally you will need proximity access to your computer system from your music source, that is, a cassette deck or line-level signal pre-amp or integrated receiver. You can record directly from your cassette deck without a pre-amp or integrated amp line signal. For this you will need a component cassette tape player and RCA-to-1/8 minijack converter cable (make sure that it's for stereo). The RCA jack on your component system will dictate whether you need a male or female connector type; adapters are available to change RCA female connectors to RCA male. These are available at most audio/video equipment retailers or your local Radio Shack. You also should know that recording music requires a lot of disk space, which most new computers have. It is not uncommon for these files to exceed 500MB during recording.


1. Determine what software you have for recording check your DVD/CD burners installation disc as stated most manufactures bundle it with software install this because Microsoft XP does not have anything other then a sound recorder unless you have the media edition.

2. If you have nothing I suggest trying a few free or trial programs I tend to stick with the free I believe Goldwave has a shareware version that will allow most of what you need to get you started. I use Adobe Audition because I need not only noise reduction but click and pop removal tools for vinyl. I would also like to add Musicmatch Jukebox also a shareware function limited will work nicely as well but it has no cleanup tools but the help file included will be a good tutorial. I also suggest UN-checking all the file association boxes in each of these programs when you install them you may not want these to be your default anything other then recording.

3. Hook up your RCA to 1/8 mini stereo jack to your cassette deck it will usually have 4 to 8 RCA jacks or cables with RCA jacks and colored red and white. It will also have (IN or LINE IN)/(OUT or LINE OUT) tagged or printed on either the cassette deck or wires. This is where you may need the additional RCA adapters if you were unable to find the exact one you need. You are only interested in the (OUT or LINE OUT) these are the only ones and only two of them one white and one red, the line in if you are using this manner does not have to be connected to anything.

4. Hook up your RCA to 1/8 mini stereo Jack to your line in on your soundcard (do not use your mic for this because it is a mono signal). The line in may have partial circles with an arrow pointing to the center. Your computer can be on for this but your source must be off.

5. Double click the speaker icon at the lower right of your computer screen. This will open the mixer properties volume control. You need the mixer control so under options at the upper left of this programs interface use the dropdown menu and select properties click on the radial button that says recording and make sure the line in is selected/checked and press ok. This will bring up the system mixer and you should see if the only thing you have checked in the previous screen just your line in volume control the others can be selected as well but not needed. Minimize this do not close it for now.

6. Turn on your cassette deck or device you are using. Open your recording software and insure that under its settings it is set to use your soundcard as the preferred device. It may say any available and this in most instances will work because you will set an active device in the previous operation.

7. Start your recording software then start your cassette. restore your system mixer by right clicking or single clicking on it to bring it back to the front. You should see a series of bars on the right going from green to red. If it is red move the slider with your mouse until it is not. If it does not go down no matter what you do turn your source off as this is not a line signal and is amplified you cannot use this for a source signal. If the meter is below the red move the slider up until it is then back down till it just goes off. It is ok for it to jitter back and fourth between red and yellow as long as the red is not sustained (constantly on).

8. Once you have the above set stop the recording and turn off your source or stop it. If you have software that allows you to listen before saving then go back to the beginning and check your work and settings. If not then you will be asked to save this file, save it and then reopen it. Listen to it! if at the end where you got your mixer set the sound is distorted then you need to turn this down, If it is too low then there may be settings wrong in your software some allow metering and leveling within the software. You should also be able to hear what is being recorded through your computer speakers. If you cannot it is usually a setting in your volume controls and could be muted or turned to low. In this case it is usually your wave setting.

Good luck, have fun! It is nice to have CD's that no one else does, there are tens of thousands of songs that have been recorded but never placed on CD media.

Submitted by: Mapetrson