i need to get audio cassette tapes into mp3 format, what would be the easiest way?

Answer 1

You will first have to convert your Audio Tape to a regular CD. Then you can convert that to mp3. Any music player on your computer will convert to mp3 (iTunes, Music Match, Win Amp, Windows Media Player, etc.). The trick is finding a CD burner that has a tape player hooked up to it. You may want to check with your local music store (that sells instruments and recording devices, not your CD music store) to get more information where you can convert your audio tape.

Answer 2

Actually you can record directly into MP3 or into WAV, then convert without having to make a CD first.
Difficult to write all the steps down here, but you can have a look at the following for some guidance (currently under development...) http://www.cassette2cd.co.uk/DIY/how_to.htm This is certainly 'do-able', if you have the patience....
You will need a cassette player (!), PC with a stereo input to soundcard, conversion software and CD writer.
Note: if you are using a laptop, you may need a USB external soundcard (mine has only a mono mic input – not good enough!) – you can get cheap, simple but effective ones (from Hong Kong) via ebay…
You could get someone to do it for you, there are plenty to choose from out on the web, this type of job is perfect for a 'virtual' studio.
The software is probably the thing you really want to know about.. you will find loads out there. Personally I use Magix Audio Cleaning Lab – primarily produced for lifting vinyl, but will take any analogue signal. It has loads of features including cleaning filters, effects and editing… it’s cheap too and even comes with a stereo cable – try ebay. There are loads more, some even free downloads (audacity avaiable from download.com)– listen to folks who have used the software then have a go….
Oh yeah, and Magix has automatic track recognition based on silence between tracks and auto-stop recording so you can go out for the day and it will stop at the end of your tape – really useful!! You will use up loads of hard-drive space, so don’t try this if you are pushed for space…You may need to purge the huge files every so often (10MB per minute WAV files, 1MB per minute MP3). You could save some space recording directly into MP3 at the sacrifice of a little sound quality.
If you go for the Audacity option, you will need to also download an extra DLL to convert to MP3
Hope this helps