So far I have found that a distance of three feet is far better than one foot, something that surprises me. I have also changed the strings.

I have a mic with a very long cord, and I'll stretch that cord out. That is a good tip - to keep the mic far away from the tape deck.

Since the friend I am recording for misses all of us (he had to move away,) I would not mind it if the cat mewed. It will be part of the sound of home.

I bought some new tapes. To my sorrow, I have a couple pieces by a whole gang of people which were ruined because an old tape stretched and warped.

My biggest problem is the hum of the computer. It has a hinky on-off switch, and I don't want to turn it off. Does anybody know what are the best sound-absorbing materials around the house?