Cassette tape player->PC...possible?

[Windsor]

How would I go about connecting a tape player to my pc, and can I get it recorded on my computer? Idea being, transferring stuff from tape to computer, from computer to burnt cd.

[skynet]

Sure it is, all you need is a little 1/8 male to male cable (Depending on your source of course). Hook it up to line in or mic. Then open a recording program, Windows somes with Sound Recorder, Then press play and record at the same time.

[Bires]

To remove tape hiss:
either
1.run a program that comes with Nero and Roxio CDCreator to remove tape hiss (fast and easy)
2.Record a 3-4 second sample of silent hiss between songs (not the tape "leader") and then use a sound editting program like Cooledit or Soundforge to subtract that wave from the sound wave you get from recording the song (accurate)

I recommend the second option if you're making CD's, as you get the best resolution and reduce the most hiss. Also note that metal, chromium oxide, and standard (brown) tapes (Type IV, II, I) tend to have different hiss frequencies.

My $0.02

[Bires]

if your tape player is a component, you'll need a "Y" cable-stereo male RCA jacks to male 1/8".

[Jeffbx]

[showing my age] I used to have a Commodore PET that stored programs on a cassette tape.... [/showing my age]

[Ladogaboy]

So, what do you guys think is the best program for encoding .wav's to .mp3's?

[Windsor]

Originally posted by chosenfool
yep, i used easycd creator too when i recorded my old tapes to wav files. just connected the stereo to my soundcard's line in (or the aux input) with a 1/8 inch plug. the hiss, pop, and crackling noises were greatly reduced when i used that feature in easycd creator. bear in mind that it really doesnt take ALL the hiss out, but it reduces it quite well. then i burned them to a disc to play in my CD player. I also converted them to mp3s for my computer.

make sure that you demagnetize and clean any gunk from the tape head first, and that your connections are secure and not wiggly at all. Try to use gold leads, and for quality's sake make sure the cable itself isnt old (may have breaks in the wires inside already). your burned transfers are only as good as the source.

good luck! i had fun converting my rare, never-to-be-found tracks and tapes to CDs.:)

Thanks everyone!

How does one demagnetize and clean gunk from the tape head?