Recording CDs from tapes on a PC

Subject: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 25 Oct 05 - 11:59 AM

Awright, I know that there are threads on this topic, but I have never had any success doing a search to find a topic... this one included.

To the point.

My friend Derrick, who has sung tenor for the last 7 years in the Gospel Messengers is moving to Florida. That's stirred me to sort through the tapes I've made of us (quite a few were done on individual tracks and are already mixed) to see if I have enough good material to do a CD. I have burned CDs from tapes before, with somewhat mixed results. I am using an Easy CD Creator 4 Deluxe, and it has the ability to clean the sound, removing tape hiss, and a couple other features. I'm wondering what others use, and if you would recommend them. (I might add that I have the technical expertise of Fred Flintstone.) I don't want to have to take a college course to figure out how to use it.

Any suggestions/recommendations will be appreciated. I know that when I post this, a list of similar threads eighteen blocks long will appear. One of these days I have to figure out why I can never find anything with the search.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 25 Oct 05 - 01:24 PM

Yea listen to the WAV files on earphones particularly to quiet passages - Speakers don't really give as much indication of problems - noise & particularly stereo.

My sound card is knackered and throws in 50 Hz (UK frequency) but not as a smooth sinewave.

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 27 Oct 05 - 10:38 AM

Not sure why there's been so little response to this thread, so I'll refresh it. I KNOW there are other Catters who are burning CDs on their computers from tapes. I even have some that friends have sent me. Specifically, I am looking at Cakewalk Pyro, which sells for $39.95. It's sole purpose is to make CDs on a computer, either by sampling songs from exisiting CDs or copying them, or creating CDs from tapes or records. It is not a "home studio."

I started another thread, wondering if anyone uses Cakewalk, without being specific enough, as there are many Cakewalk software packages... most are very expensive and are for making professional quality CDs with up to 24 tracks. There primary purpose is not for recording existing two track tapes onto CD, and there are far more bells and whistles for me. If I was doing a hip hop or rap 24 track album with countless inserts of drums, keyboards and special effects, I'd buy one. I just want something simple. I've used Easy CD Creator, but it is limited in how much you can eq and balance tapes.

So, once again, what are folks using? And are you satisifed with what you have? I'm probably just going to go ahead and buy The Cakewalk Pyro software. If it does a good job, I'll start a thread about it.

In the meantime... Hello! Is anyone home?

And thanks for the response, Mr. Red.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 27 Oct 05 - 02:32 PM

The only way I have done it is to plug the headphone out of the tape player into the linein input. On some laptops they have done away with the linein and you have to use the mic input which is not as good. I then record the tape using TotalRecorder. The wav file is then separated, balanced, normalised, etc. in CoolEdit Pro (Like CakeWalk).

If setup correctly, Total Recorder is supposed to avoid the sound card and save the direct input from the linein. I've never really understood how/if it does this though.

JAB

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 27 Oct 05 - 07:37 PM

I have created mucho CDs from tapes. I am currently in the middle of a big project doing such.

I don't do the sonic cleanup. Way too tedious for me. Several of us on the team have tried sonic cleanup with various programs and all but one has given it up as being more trouble than it is worth.

Each of us has learned the hard way that when it comes to editing sound files, cleanup is the least fun part. You can spend an inordinate amount of time fussing with settings and when you're finished you've often got, at best, something that doesn't sound appreciably better than what you've started with. It is also quite easy to produce something that actually is more sonically annoying than the original.

One team member did stick with sonic cleanup and he's the one who now does it. Apparently he likes it and has some sort of knack for it. Thank god.

My advice. If you can sucker somebody else into doing, go for it.

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: Gurney
Date: 27 Oct 05 - 08:34 PM

Warts and all, eh, Russ?

Hope Jerry has more luck than me. Line-in on my soundcard didn't seem to work, so I got another soundcard. The line-in didn't seem to work there, either.

My latest computer has a built-in soundcard on the motherboard, and I'm wary of trying it. Yes, I was taking from the earphone jack on the ghetto-blaster, and from the connector on the stand-alone turntable. I only have line-out on my 'big' stereo amp, and she-who-must-be-obeyed says I WILL NOT move that.

I've yet to decide whether to move the burner to this computer (my modem/internet computer) which has a seperate soundcard, or leave it in my 'best' one.

Decisions, decisions. Should I leave it until I retire?

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 27 Oct 05 - 08:55 PM

I was told by someone that to get a decent sound from tapes, you have to have a digital converter. You plug your lines into it from you tape deck, and then plug the converter into the imputs on the back of your computer. I've done CDs from tapes and records myself, and they sounded reasonably good. Not that I necessarily ever know what I'm doing. My approach to burning CDs is much like my approach to life "I wonder what happens if you do this?"

I've been told that most computer sound cards don't have the capacity to convert audio signals directly into digital without losing half of the tones.

Suree wish I knew what I was doing. You might well be right though, Russ. I may find out that it's more work than it's worth to try to clean up tracks from tapes. Us being low-fi-folkies and all, maybe my tapes of the Gospel Messengers will sound like field recordings and someone will think we're dead. There's big money in being dead, I here. Haven't been tempted to try it yet, though.

Talked to people in two stores today about this topic, and I had to show them where the software was.

Don't you just hate it when you go into a store, just this side of ignorant, and end up educating the guy in the department?

Jerry

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 28 Oct 05 - 07:41 AM

Yeah, but they wouldn't give ME the job...

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: jeffp
Date: 28 Oct 05 - 01:17 PM

Jerry, you can get Audacity for free. It has been recommended here at Mudcat several times. Download it here.

I'm using this to hook up my microphones to my PC for recording. It has microphone and line-level inputs and is $150. I'm pretty happy with it. I'm using Cubase SE for multitrack recording on my computer. I'm just getting started with it, but I like it quite a bit. It was only $100 and will do 48 audio tracks, which is much more than I'll need.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 28 Oct 05 - 03:41 PM

Thanks, all: I think I've figured out what I need to do. None of the above.. including what I thought I needed to do. I have a good 8 track Tascam machine for recording, and a 6 track digital recorder already, so it's not recording equipment that I need. It's burning CDs from already recorded tapes that are mixed down to two tracks.

After asking eight million questions in electronics and music stores, on-line home recording websites and websites for specific equipment (and getting next to no response, except here in good ole Mudcat, I finally talked to someone who not only understood exactly what I need, but was able to guide me to what I believe will do the trick. The Cakewalk Pyro software I asked endless questions about, with little response is going to be too limited (maybe that's why it only costs $39.95 and looks like it may be being phased out.) I have also been convinced by enough separate sources that to get a high quality CD from tapes I need to invest in a digital converter. I've recorded directly from tapes with my computer, and it does work, but the sound leaves a lot to be desired. I'm hopeful that with the digital converter and a little more sophisticated (but supposedly simple) editing and final mixing) I can produce a much better quality sound.

I've decided to get an Mbox digital converter and the associated Pro Tool software. The person I spoke to has used the Cakewalk Home Studio and found it extremely difficult to work with (and he's in charge of the recording department at Guitar Center.) The Pro Tool software has two screens ... one for editing and one for mixing. The Cakewalk Home Studio has 8 different screens, and he found them almost impossible to use.

Sooooooo, tomorrow I'll pick up the equipment. I just bought a new computer and won't be able to even try this out until I get hooked up and transfer files from the computer that I'm typing on. If I feel that I've made the right choice, I'll start another thread. If I feel like I've once again made a fool of myself, listen carefully for the Sound Of Silence..

Thanks for responding..

Jerry

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: jeffp
Date: 28 Oct 05 - 03:51 PM

Have a whole bunch of fun, Jerry.

Jeff

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: treaties1
Date: 28 Oct 05 - 07:47 PM

Good luck Jerry, book a CD for me when succesful
Love to you, Ruth and all the messengers
Theresa

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 28 Oct 05 - 08:28 PM

How sweet to see your name, Theresa: I've been going through tapes of the Messengers and have plenty of good stuff for a CD...

Jerry

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 28 Oct 05 - 11:27 PM

What's the difference between a digital converter and a sound card. Don't they both have to use an analog input from the tape player?

JAB

very confused.

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 28 Oct 05 - 11:38 PM

Obviously,

You have a yellow, green, red - port on the PC's sound card.

The red is for INPUT.

Plug your recorder's OUTPUT into the computer's INPUT....and then mix...and ...meld....and tweak....and modify.....and ...overlay.....and harmonize....and melodize...to your heart's content .... Honey, ain't it sweet????

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 28 Oct 05 - 11:42 PM

Click on:
START
Accesories
RECORD

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: My guru always said
Date: 29 Oct 05 - 05:15 AM

Interesting thread, thanks! Just loaded 'audio cleaning lab' and about to have a go at transferring some live recordings to CD. Not a techie, so I guess I'll be having some fun...

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 29 Oct 05 - 06:27 AM

Yes, the sound card in a computer converts audio signals into digital. I know that it works, because I've done it, taping old records and then burning CDs. It's a question of sound quality. A Radio Shack microphone for $29.95 works, but it doesn't give you the quality of a $500 mic. The intangible is how much the quality is improved by using a mid-priced digital converter. I'm told that if you want to release a professional quality CD, you'll get significantly better sound using a mid-range digital converter.

The hard thing about all of this is that if you ask six different people, you're likely to get six different answers... all at least somewhat contradictory. I'm still getting response all across the map from saying that digital converters are a waste of money to essential. Guess it depends on who I ask.

Maybe I'll just record on an Edison Cylinder and go for authenticity.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 29 Oct 05 - 01:12 PM

If anyone is interested, I just had a long demonstration of Pro Tool, which comes with a digital converter. I've never been so frightened in my life. It was even scarier than the time I got wedged between studs inside a wall in the basement. The salesman is saying, " See, it' really easy, you just do this, and this, and this, and this" in rapidfire succession, and I kept protesting, "I don't understand a thing you're saying!"

So I went out and bought Cakewalk Pyro 5 for $39.95, instead of investing several hundred dollars in equipment that I have as much chance of understanding as an ant would, crawling on the wing of the space shuttle.

Whatever happened to simplicity.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: Ebbie
Date: 29 Oct 05 - 02:44 PM

On a news site (about a totally different subject, I came across a quote I love: "You don't come up with new answers. You come up with new questions."

This was in regards to science- I'm not sure it is as happy a thought in connection with technologies... :)

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: tram_1956
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 08:29 AM

Jerry
I just found your link and was wondering how you made out finally? I have hndereds of 1/4" reel to reel tapes that I want to edit one day too.

Thanks

R

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: GUEST,Dr. Quelch
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 11:57 AM

Tapes, cassettes and LP`s to cd?. Try MAGIX Audio Cleaning Lab/10 deluxe. Absolute doddle. Piece of p---.

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: Cluin
Date: 19 Feb 06 - 12:15 PM

So it's...... ?

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: GUEST,Whizzkid43
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 01:09 AM

I am making audio books for children. I want to record the book reading on a casette tape and then transfer it to a CD. Can anyone tell me the best and easiest way to do this. It is for an elementary school project. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 02:18 AM

Hi, Whizzkid - you need some sort of recording software on your computer. The MAGIX Audio Cleaning Lab works well, and so do various recording packages from Roxio. You use a patch cord to connect to the "line in" jack on your computer, start the recording software, and push "play" on the cassette player.

You might want to consider getting a digital recorder to replace that cassette recorder. That will simplify and improve the process of transferring the recording to the computer. Digital recorders are getting pretty cheap these days. You can get a nice one for less than a hundred bucks.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: fumblefingers
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 09:45 PM

Look at the XPRO Sound website. I have one of their pre-amps in my computer. It comes with software and does a super job on converting vinyl records to digital files. It also works with tapes via the line input.

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: fumblefingers
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 09:54 PM

It should be http://www.xpsound.com/

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: bobad
Date: 13 Nov 07 - 10:05 PM

You might also consider recording directly into your computer thus bypassing the intermediate step.

Subject: RE: Recording CDs from tapes on a PC
From: quantock
Date: 14 Nov 07 - 09:20 PM

I just figured out how to do this a couple of weeks ago. I use Roxio Easy Media Creator 7.0. I believe the current version is 10.x. The annoying part was getting the recording level right. Unless I was missing something, there is no indication of the sound level getting on to the digital recording while you are recording. This means that you have to record a bit, then see what the level looks like when you play it back. Then you adjust it a bit and do the process over again until you get it right.

Does anyone know if some of the more recent software actually shows you the level while you are recording?

Who remembers the old Magic Eye recording level indicators they had on reel to reel tape recorders in the 50's and 60's? They weren't particularly accurate, but they sure were better than nothing.