This article explains how to copy the audio playing from a cassette player to a Windows or Mac computer. Once you connect the device to the computer's "microphone" (or "line-in") with the appropriate cable, you can use Audacity (Windows) or QuickTime (Mac) to record tape audio.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Preparing to Record
Step 1. Learn how the process works
To record the audio of a cassette on your computer, you must connect the cassette player to the "microphone" (or "line-in") port of the system, then configure it to record only the incoming audio. This way the computer will not capture external audio (for example background noise), creating a high quality and faithful recording of your cassette.
Step 2. Get the necessary materials
In addition to a cassette player and computer, you will also need a cable that allows you to connect the former to the input of the latter.
- Most cassettes have a 3.5mm headphone jack, so you'll usually need a standard 3.5mm cable to connect the two devices.
- Some cassettes have unbalanced output lines. You will recognize them by the two doors, one white and one red. In these cases, you need an RCA-3, 5mm cable.
- Higher quality cassette decks may have balanced output lines, with two 3-pin XLR-F connectors or balanced 6.35mm headphone jacks. In these cases you will need to buy an adapter that allows you to connect the computer's 3.5mm jack to the player's outputs.
Step 3. Find your computer's "line-in" port
On systems with separate headphone and microphone ports, this input is usually colored pink. If your computer only has a 3.5mm headphone jack, both audio out and audio go through there.
- On desktop computers, this jack is usually found on the back or front of the case.
- Laptops almost always have a monaural jack that combines line-out and line-in. This means you can use it to transfer audio from your cassettes, but you won't be able to record in stereo.
Step 4. Connect an adapter to your computer if needed
If you are connecting the balanced line-out of the cassette player to the computer, you must insert the 3.5mm side of the cable into the line-in port on the system.
Skip this step if you are connecting your computer to a tape deck with 3.5mm jack or an unbalanced output port
Step 5. Connect one side of the cable to the cassette deck
Depending on the type of device, the operation changes:
- 3.5mm: Connect one end (no matter which) of the 3.5mm cable to the 3.5mm line-out port (not the headphone) on your cassette deck.
- Unbalanced: Connect the red RCA lead to the red port and the white RCA lead to the white port.
- Balanced: Connect XLR or 6.35mm cables to the tape deck outputs.
Step 6. Connect the other end of the cable to the computer
Insert the other end into the 3.5mm line-in port of the system.
- The line-in port is usually pink on computers that have separate microphone and headphone inputs.
- If you are using an adapter, connect the 3.5mm cable to the free side of the device.
Step 7. Adjust computer sound levels
If you want to boost (or lower) the volume of the recording, you can do so from the sound settings:
-
Windows - open Start
Windowsstart type sounds, click Audio, click the tab Recording devices, double click on the input where you connected the cassette player, click the tab Levels, then drag the "Microphone" slider left or right to increase or decrease the volume. Click OK on both open windows when you're done.
-
Mac - open the Apple menu
Macapple1 click System Preferences …, click Sounds, click Entrance, select the input to which you connected the cassette deck and drag the "Volume Input" selector to the right or left to increase or decrease the volume.
- Start at a very low volume on your cassette deck or stereo, as you may damage the computer's internal circuitry with levels that are too loud.
Step 8. Make sure all cables are properly connected
A cable that is not fully inserted can cause a reduction in the quality of the recording, so check the connections carefully, both on the computer side and on the cassette player side. Once you have determined that all links are secure, you can continue with the registration.
Part 2 of 4: Recording on Windows
Step 1. Download and install Audacity
It is a free program that properly configured allows you to record incoming audio. To install it, follow these steps:
- Go to this address with a browser;
- Click Audacity for Windows;
- Click the link Audacity 2.3.0 installer;
- Double click on the installation file after the download is complete;
- Follow the setup instructions.
Step 2. Open Audacity
If the program doesn't open automatically, go to the Start menu
type audacity, then click Audacity at the top of the Start menu.
Step 3. Make sure the sound recording option is MME
In the upper left of the Audacity window, you should read "MME" in a drop-down menu. If not, click the menu, then click MME.
Step 4. Click the "Audio Input" drop-down menu
You will see this box to the right of the microphone icon at the top of the Audacity window. Press it and a menu will open.
Step 5. Click the Line In item
The name of this option varies, but make sure the title is "Line In" (or similar); do not select items Microsoft Sound Mapper or Primary Audio Capture.
Step 6. Click the "Register" button
This is the red circle at the top of the Audacity window. Press it and the program will start recording.
Step 7. Press the "Play" button on the cassette player
The device should start playing the tape and you should see a sound wave appear in the center of the Audacity window.
Step 8. Stop recording when done
Press the "Stop" button on the cassette deck, then click the black "Stop" button
Step 9. Save the recording
You can create an MP3 audio file with the following method:
- Click File in the upper left corner of the window;
- Select Export in the menu that appears;
- Click Export as MP3 in the window that opens;
- Select a save path;
- Enter a name for the file in the "File Name" text field;
- Click Save;
- Click OK when asked.
Part 3 of 4: Recording on a Mac
Step 1. Open QuickTime
Click the QuickTime app icon, which looks like a "Q" and is located in your Mac's Dock. If you don't see it, you can double-click the QuickTime icon in the Applications folder.
Step 2. Click File
You will see this button at the top left of the screen. Press it and a menu will appear.
Step 3. Click New Audio Recording
This item is among the first in the menu. Press it and you'll only use QuickTime to record audio.
Step 4. Click the drop-down menu icon
You will see it in the far right of the program window. Press it and a menu will appear.
Step 5. Click Integrated Line Input
This is one of the menu items. Press it to select the Mac line-in input as the recording source.
Step 6. Click the "Register" button
It is a red circle in the center of the QuickTime window. The program will start recording.
Step 7. Press the "Play" button on your cassette player
This will cause QuickTime to begin recording the contents of the tape.
Step 8. Stop recording when done
Once you have recorded the audio you want to save on your computer, press the "Stop" button on the cassette deck, then click the red "Record" button in the center of the QuickTime window again to stop the operation. This will create an audio file on your Mac desktop.
Part 4 of 4: Mastering the Audio You Recorded
Step 1. Start by recording a small part
Before transferring your entire cassette collection to hard drive, make sure the recording is of good quality. Record a few minutes, then listen to the result. If you've set everything up correctly, you should get a pretty faithful digital copy of your analog cassettes.
- If the recording is too low or there is too much background noise, the output was too low and the recording did not have enough signal to overcome the interference.
- If the recorded audio appears to be coming from a broken speaker or meat grinder, the recording was too loud and the audio is distorted.
- You can change your computer's audio settings to correct the previous problems.
Step 2. Edit the registration
You may not need to make any changes, but if you want to eliminate pauses, clear some tracks or change volumes, most recording programs allow you to do this. Software like Audacity (available for both Windows and Mac) can do the simplest editing tasks, while advanced paid programs allow you to get near-perfect recordings.
When editing, it's a good idea to keep a copy of the original file as a backup and change the names of the changed files when you save them to protect yourself from any errors. When you are sure that the edited file is to your liking, you can delete the original to save disk space
Step 3. Normalize audio levels if necessary
Once you have a good recording, you can improve it using audio tools, the most important of which is the so-called "normalization". Normalizing a song means making sure that the loudest volume peaks do not exceed 100% of the total scale (i.e. when the meters are fully lit or at 0 dB, depending on the system).
Most audio editing programs offer some form of normalization
Step 4. Apply compression
This step is not necessary for all recordings, as it can make many songs less lively. This method works by keeping the loudest passages at their original level and cranking up the lower volume ones. You give up the difference between loud and quiet parts (the so-called dynamics), but in return you get a seemingly louder recording. When listening to a song at home, this effect is not always desired, but it can be very useful if you want to create a CD to listen to in your car.
Step 5. Equalize (EQ) the audio
Depending on the speakers, their configuration, and the overall quality of your playback system, adjusting the song's equalization to your taste can be helpful. Be careful though: as with compression, a "good" EQ is subjective. You could adjust it so that the audio is perfect on your system, while it could be distorted on another.
Step 6. Always make a copy
Once you've struggled to convert all your old cassettes, immediately make a copy of the recording before any reconstructive (or destructive) changes, such as normalization, EQ, compression, etc.
Advice
- Audacity is also available for Mac computers.
- If you are looking for a professional audio conversion tool that allows you to turn your cassettes into audio files, the best options are Sound Forge, PolderbitS, Cubase, Garage Band, Logic Pro, and ProTools (albeit for a fee).
- For the reverse operation, transfer the digital audio to cassette, you just need to use the same cable, but plug it into the microphone or line-in port of the cassette deck and into the line out, headphone or computer speaker port. Press "Record" on the cassette deck, then start playing the song on your computer. Start at a low volume and adjust it for the best sound quality, then restart and restart recording with the new setting.
- When mastering your recordings, consider using Noise Reduction. Not all recording programs have this option, but it is a quick and easy way to improve audio quality by reducing white noise.
- The results, especially for cassette tapes, depend on many factors: the quality and condition of the cassettes, the cassette deck, the computer and analog / digital converters (or sound card), the connection cables and your level of knowledge and experience in audio editing.
Warnings
- Don't throw away the tapes. Always keep the original copy. You will need it if your disk breaks, if you realize that there has been an error in the transfer or if one day you will have a computer capable of recording it better. The original also grants you the copyrights on the copy you just created.
- Attempting to transfer cassettes using a portable stereo to play them usually results in poor quality recordings.
- Be careful not to violate copyright laws when you register. The tapes are old, but the copyright is usually still in place. Keep these records for personal enjoyment; do not sell them for profit.
- Pay attention to the type of cable you use. The cheaper ones are usually not electronically shielded. With a poor cable, recording can capture computer fan vibration as well as analog audio.
