Tech: recording onto computer from cassette

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Peace
Date: 10 Sep 07 - 10:11 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 06:05 PM

Other CDs sound great in the truck. I'll try this one I just made in a couple of other players around the house, to see about getting any help there.

I have an AIWA "digital audio system" (everything is in one box) near my computer, and I was using that to play the cassette tapes into the computer. It has no adjustments to speak of (just a few button settings for "pop" "classical" "jazz." Out in the living room I have my fathers wonderful setup of the good cassette player, the receiver, and all of the buttons and sliders to make anything sound good. I suspect I'm going to have to start moving furniture and computers around and experiment. If I listen to his tapes on his system and adjust for hiss right there, that should significantly reduce the noise that goes into the computer, shouldn't it? I think I can use the phono plug (earphones) or RCA plugs on the back. My computer is only set up to receive the mini stereo plug on the back.

Every time someone new starts working on this kind of conversion project fresh threads start; I tried to avoid that by revisiting one that someone else started. If you think of some other thread I should look at by all means point me there. Recommendations of devices are also welcome. I wonder what DAK has these days? No need to reinvent the wheel (unless it is also useful to someone else).

Now, it has been a long day, I was up really late last night preparing to mail a couple of Secret Santa boxes this morning--to whom I'm not telling!--so I'll take that noisy CD and give it a try on the little bedside player and drift off into a short nap to the friendly tones of my Dad's signing. . . (unless of course I have to lean over to turn it off because it makes odd noises in there also).

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Cluin
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 05:31 PM

If it doesn't sound good as a WAV file, it ain't gonna sound better as an MP3. The MP3 is a compressed version of the WAV file (to put it simply); some sound variation in samples is lost for compression's sake, but it isn't anything your ear will notice (in the higher bit-rate quality MP3s... 128kbps and above. So don't expect converting it to MP3 will solve your problem.

Do regular commercially-made CDs play alright in your truck player? erhaps it's an issue with the CD-R itself (or are you using a CD-RW; though that likely won't play at all). Or make sure you are using the proper settings to record your WAV file: CD Quality (16 bit, 44100Hz, stereo)

And Foolestroupe, I do indeed have an old download of CoolEdit96 here. It's almost 2 megs in size. PM me your e-mail address and I'll send it to you.

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: GUEST,Obie
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 05:01 PM

Goldwave has a free dowload that allows all functions but you are restricted to 3000 commands. It is great for removing hiss . hum, clicks etc. Hint: Use other freeware for recording and then use this to "wash" the file.

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 03:49 PM

SRS if it sounds okay in computer and in CD player in the house - then the difference has to be in the CD player of the truck - either MORE sensative pickup or it skews something going to the speakers.

removing the hiss should help.

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 03:33 PM

CD players, in my exp, are all or nothing...   They'll either play it or they won't.. especially if it's a file format issue...

So I have to admit, that regarding the truck CD player thing, I'm flummoxed....

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 03:24 PM

Darn. I seem to have lost my last post.

The CD player in the truck may not handle this kind of file well. It may also have to do with the inexperience of the software/hardware operator. :) This is the first time I've tried converting from tape to CD going through the steps with WaveEdit. I'm sure there's a lot to learn.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 02:44 PM

NEVER download RealPlayer... It's garbage of the worst quality...

SrS... I can't for the life of me imagine what "a high tinny bell kind of sound" might even mean... let alone offer advice how to fix it...

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 02:32 PM

:)

I do have broadband, but I don't like to start all of those darned "free" programs fighting over my files. As it is we used Windows Media Player for something and it doesn't play well (at all!) with WaveEdit.

I thought I had it figured out, but what I'm editing is WAV files. The CD I made sounded good on the computer and on a home CD player, but in the truck it was worse than awful. The songs went from having a hiss to having a high tinny bell kind of sound (must be something introduced to cover the hiss for the more sophisticated players.

Once I think I've gotten rid of the hiss, will converting the files to MP3 help them sound that good on other players, such as the lowest-common-denominator device in the truck?

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: MMario
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 02:19 PM

SRS - audacity will do that...

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: 12string growler
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 02:16 PM

Go to www.real.com and download Realplayer. It's free, it records, and it does mp3 encoding. Only practical if you are on broadband though, unless you can find a buddy that already has it.

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Dec 04 - 02:59 PM

Is any of these particularly good for removing the hiss that accompanies an old recording from cassette to CD?

WaveEdit in Nero has features that the instructions don't adequately explain. Anyone have experience with it?

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: el_punkoid_nouveau
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 03:07 AM

I've been using Polderbits for a couple of years and have had good results with it. It doesn't include burning software, but you can split a recording (ie from tape or vinyl) into tracks, and then burn with a package like Roxio or Nero. It costs about $20.00.

Try Polderbits here

epn

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 12:09 AM

Somebody must have an old download... :-)

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Bernard
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 07:29 PM

Foolstroupe... you can't get CoolEdit any more - Adobe bought out Syntrillium, and now you have to buy Adobe Audition - which is CoolEdit Pro (with all the bells and whistles) under a new name.

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: moocowpoo
Date: 29 Sep 04 - 11:17 AM

I've used the full version of pro tools a lot, it's simpler than logic and very good but the free version will not work if you have windows XP, You'd have to insall a parallel Operating System, annoying, I haven't done it. For recording tape and cds and performing basic editing things, a cracked Sound Forge is excellent, Audacity is is another 'annoying thing'...no real-time preview for effects or processing and no mouse wheel instant-magnification of waveform feature, god I'm lazy.
muhcow

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 09:13 PM

MusicMatch Jukebox - 19 Mb Download - on Dialup?

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 09:02 PM

I can't get the Cool96 free edition linked above to download - errors telling me the file is not there.

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 03:36 PM

Audiograbber freeware.

I'm still looking for a good free onboard desk - CoolEdit 96 free version alas only empowers two funtions at once.

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Eric the Streetsinger
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 01:09 PM

do a search for "digidesign" website-
they used to have a free version of "protools"
available- its a great and powerful multi channel
recording program, and does a great job. then
find a program that will convert raw audio into
mp3s. I've found that opening a protools doc in
Quicktime produces a file that iTunes can convert
into an mp3-
another good program available commercially is
BIAS Peak LE. the full version is pretty pricey,
but the smaller (LE) version can be had for around
$60 USD. Older versions I've seen for sale at second
hand stores for about $9 US. You can probably find it
cheap on eBay.
Peak will do your audio conversion, and allow you to
compress to MP3's. Less complicated than the Pro Tools
route.

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Compton
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 12:19 PM

Try going on to Google and looking for "All Sound Recorder"...American site...It works for me!!

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 12:12 PM

Don't bother with free demos... Dive behind the curtain yourself, or find someone to ghost around there for you and find a free, clean, hacked version of the REAL thing...

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Nick
Date: 28 Sep 04 - 07:09 AM

If you are in England go to your local library (or buy it from a bookshop) and get out a book such as "MP3 for Dummies" or similar. In there you will find a version of MusicMatch Jukebox which will let you do what you want (as well as lots of other stuff)

If not try here and you should be able to download it - Music Match 6 - it is not the latest version but should be more than adequate for what you are trying to do

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Cluin
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 09:40 PM

Cool Edit 96

It works fine in Win XP.

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Cluin
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 09:38 PM

Look for a free demo download of a program called Cool Edit. (like at this site, though I recommend Cool Edit 96 if you can find it; the demo won't crap out on you after 30 days).

It has lots of tools to not only record your input digitally, but also some nice editing features and noise redux and EQing filters.

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Robin2
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 08:48 PM

Thanks for clue about recording software. Duh, I have a copy of Audacity, and sure enough there is a "record from line in" option. Play the tape, clicked record, simple as that!

I'm afraid I'm not going to win the "most computer savvy person" award again this year. LOL

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: early
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 06:46 PM

some cd burning software packs have recorders and editors built in depending on the type easy cd 3.5 deluxe had one as does nero ultra - the main thing you must do is to select the recording option within the soundcard settings for the computer otherwise you will not be able to record anything - the recorder within windows defaults to one minute recordings and so will need setting up to record longer pieces of music - hitsquad.com have a number of links to shareware and freeware programmes that will also do the job. hope that helps - also to minimise noise on the recording use the best cables you can and keep sound levels up so you do not increase noise levels too much when you normalise the recordings during or before burning to cd

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 06:41 PM

149.00... that's what I meant by 'a buck fifty'...

Don't be so literal R2! LOL

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: s&r
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 06:37 PM

Sound recorder is in Windows - not exciting but it records input from soundcard as .wav file

Stu

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Robin2
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 06:32 PM

1.50??? What page should I have been looking at Hammond? The link took me to a installed tape deck for 149.00

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 06:20 PM

It's only a buck and a half...

but anyway... ya... start at google.com...   look for good line-in recording software, like CoolEdit or somesuch...

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Robin2
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 06:12 PM

Clinton, I wish I could, but the price tag prevents me. Any way to do it the way I'm hooked up?

Subject: RE: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 05:15 PM

Make it easy on yerself...

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/drives/6908/

Subject: Tech: recording onto computer from cassette
From: Robin2
Date: 27 Sep 04 - 05:07 PM

OK, I have my cassette player plugged into my line in on the computer, and it plays over the computer speakers. What I want to do is record what is on the cassette onto my hardrive. How??

Robin2