Help: Computer to tape?

Subject: Questions of a computer newbie
From: Kirsten
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 06:47 PM

I'm still new-ish to computers... I'm fine on downloading music, but is there a way for me to plug a tape recorder in somewhere and tape music files off my computer? I can't record CD's so this is my only option. I have a Hewlett Packard Pavilion, also new-ish... help anyone?

Subject: RE: Help: Computer to tape?
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 07:14 PM

it is 'sort of' possible to hook a tape recorder to a computer and play certain kinds of files...and tape THOSE..but it is really all TOO tedious and time consuming or lots of people would be doing it...the new MP3 format seems to be the only REALLY efficient way, so far...the deal is that it is the only way to both make the file small enough and still get decent quality...I gather it is not 'too' expensive, but it does require you to get certain software and learn the tricks...(and...you have to find the music you WANT online!..right now, it is mostly pop & rock etc...and it is not worth it for folkies like me...)

Subject: RE: Help: Computer to tape?
From:
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 07:21 PM

You can make adequate copies of songs from your COMPUTER to a TAPE DECK [either off the AIR from an INTERNET BROADCAST or from a CD] by coupling the output of the SOUNDCARD LINE OUT JACK to the TAPE LINE IN INPUT JACK...

BTDT

Subject: RE: Help: Computer to tape?
From:
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 09:25 PM

and the cable to do so costs next to nothing at your local rabio shack.

Subject: RE: Help: Computer to tape?
From: Lesley N.
Date: 03 Sep 99 - 10:41 PM

Barry wrote some good instructions on how to do this. They are here (http://www.contemplator.com/tunebook/faqs.htm#Q11). Quality is possible - it depends on your sound card and the quality of the file. I tape the midis from my site and am very pleased with the quality of the tape (and was quite surprised by it).

Subject: RE: Help: Computer to tape?
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Sep 99 - 12:38 AM

gotta be careful...what I read Kirsten wanted was 'songs'..not midis...midis are pretty easy...but other music on the WWW mostly comes in .wav, .au, .RA, or MP3...and except for .RA (Real Audio)usually those are NOT full songs/albums/CDs...you CAN hook up the tape deck as noted...problem is...what will you get to put on it?..perhaps RA can be managed...still, MP3 what everyone is touting now...

Subject: RE: Help: Computer to tape?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Sep 99 - 03:16 AM

Well, Bill, if you tape from the "line out" jack of your sound card, you should get pretty-much the same quality of sound that you hear when you play the sound on your computer - or am I misunderstanding what you're saying?
Can't say I've ever had the desire to do it, though. why not just play it on the computer?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Help: Computer to tape?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 04 Sep 99 - 09:02 AM

I run from the "line out" jack on the soundcard to the "aux in" jacks on my hi-fi amplifer and I get much better quality sound than I do using the PC speakers.

I also have a tape deck connected to the amplifier so I can record as well using this set up. The main reason I have for recording to tape is to pass music on to other people who have not got computers.

Jon

Subject: RE: Help: Computer to tape?
From: Lesley N.
Date: 04 Sep 99 - 01:42 PM

Bill - midi, wav, etc doesn't matter - if you can download it to your computer the process to get it to tape is the same no matter what format it's in. I remarked on the midi because that's what I use it for - and most certainly midis are are songs - albeit without singing (I provide that). And Joe - I use it to sing in the car when I'm commuting!

I agree with the consensus that mp3 is better than real audio. mp3.com has a fair amount of folk midis and also links to mp3 players. I use Music Match Jukebox which is excellent. The only thing you have to be careful of is that the default settings are not for the highest quality - so many that I downloaded sounded fine on the computer but not as good when I taped them (which, of course, could be for some other reason entirely).

I use mp3 to see if I like a group - then buy the album if I do. There is still nothing to compare to a CD - and if I like something I'd like to reward the artist...

Subject: RE: Help: Computer to tape?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Sep 99 - 03:41 PM

Oh, yeah....playing tapes in the car. I've seen people do that, back in the olden days. On my road trips, I used to pack tapes so I'd have something to play on the cassette player on my rental car. Nowadays, I don't know whether the car will have a tape player or a CD player, so I've given up.
-Joe Offer-