how can i transfer/burn (copy) old fashioned cassette tapes to CD?

Question

have you ever done it? does it requiere special equipment? have you ever done it? Is it expensive? doable?

Answer 1

Yes, nope - all you are some cables, yes, no, yes.

I presume you already have a cassette deck. All you need now is the right cables (usually a 1/8th inch jack - you may need an adaptor. Readily available at most good electronics stores. The basic idea is given at the link below.)

And you need the right software, of course.

There are many software options for Windows or Mac - at least 6-7 acceptable programs out there. I have given you some links below for the free stuff; There are also modestly-priced alternatives at zdnet.com or download.com under 'mp3 utilities'.

The basic process is the same: you play the tape, and your PC converts it (in real time) into an AIFF or WAV file (a pretty big file). Then you drag this into e.g. iTunes, and convert it into an mp3 (if you're an iPod person) OR burn the AIFF/WAV straight to disc with, e.g. Toast or Nero, to make a playable CD. See the links below for more details.

TIPS FROM MY EXPERIENCE:

a. Your first few attempts may be disappointing. There may be audible hissing in the background; or the recording, even after being EQed, may still sound 'tinny'. Just play around with various threshold settings in the software - the more you experiment, the better the results get.

b. Some apps deliver an audible 'click' at the top of the AIFF or WAV file generated; any good sound editor can remove that at the mp3 stage (I use MP3 Trimmer, very precise.)

c. If there is significant warping to the tape, it's almost a lost cause to generate 'clear' mp3s. Save yourself the hassle and just buy the album on CD. The software filters can reduce the problem, but they can do only so much. However, I once rescued a tape that was 21 years old, without a hitch. If they've been well-stored, you should have no problems.

I'm not sure where you live. If you don't want the hassle of doing it yourself, do some Google work with key words: 'cassette conversion to digital', 'old cassettes to mp3', etc. This will turn up a lot of commercial services (if you are UK / US-based) which will do this for a small fee.

I think, however, for just a handful of tapes, it's not worth it - have a go at doing it yourself; the most you need to buy is the cable and the jack, and download the software.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

it's doable but you need a device that converts the analog signal from your cassette deck to a digital signal on your computer. You can get some basic external hardware or by a PCI card to hook up inside your computer. Comp USA has a good selection but to be honest I forget the names of them, if you were trying to convert VHS tapes to DVD, like me, then definitely getTurtle Beach Video Advantage PCI, it's awesome. If not the item you need is in the same section at Comp USA

Answer 3

You can do this at home. I did this with a couple of old tapes. You will though have liek the guy above me said, the cracks in your records, but if you love the sound of that then its ok right. Anyways, go to RadioShack and pick up a 1/8th inch phono jack. Its just a wire that has 2 connectors on both ends that is the same as your headphone jack. You'll connect one in to your sound card on your computer and the other end on your player. You might have to get another adaptor for your record player which you'll have to find at the store but the process is the same. Then you'll need to have a recoring program on your computer. Musicmatch has one but you'll need to have the full version to do so. I kno of a free recorder that works nice and you can get it at http://www.share2.com/audio-record-wizar... Once you got your recorder and everything set up your ready to record. Pretty much all you do is hit record, play your track from the player and listen to it record. It will convert it to your mp3 file or whatever you want, then your ready to burn them to a CD or store them on DVD . Pretty cheap, all you need to buy is like a 5 dollar cord like i said above.

Answer 4

first thing you need is a cassette player. then you need a cable to connect it to the computer which you can get at radio shack then you need a program to record it to digital format then you burn that wave format with a cd burner and program such as nero. some cd players wont play the burned discs.

Answer 5

Just get an audio jack ...out from tape in to cd....if you don't have an audio cd copier, there is software you can use to work it through your computer...I'd vote for the audio copier first about 200.00 and you'll use the crap out of it. Had mine for about 3 years and it's the best electronis piece I have. I can jack vinyl into it also. Good luck

Answer 6

you can get a special burner....kind of like ones you can use for video tapes.....look on ebay.....you might be able to find one at a reasonable price...good luck

Answer 7

you cant