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Question

Converting cassette to digital

Jun 14, 2014 4:18PM PDT

I have lots of cassettes that I would like to covert to WAV or mp3. However I would prefer not to add this to my computer (the work space is already cluttered enough). Are there any recommended machines that do everything (i.e. convert the cassette to a digital file all in the one machine?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Take a look at this from Amazon
Jun 15, 2014 12:15AM PDT
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Nice idea, but ...
Jun 19, 2014 2:02AM PDT

... only in mp3? and only 128k? Yikes.

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At least it works.
Jun 19, 2014 2:10AM PDT
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Depends on the set up
Jun 20, 2014 3:38AM PDT

I have a USB turntable and couldn't be happier with it. I've been able to transfer lots of vinyl to my PC, then edit as needed, remove clicks, etc (in my case, with the awesome free program Audacity). For more "important" recordings, you can even pick higher quality depending on your soundcard. For example, when transferring my original vinyls (eg Dark Side Of The Moon) I rip them in 24/96 so as to preserve as best I can. You can always downsample when needed (eg 16/44 for CD burning) with a simple "export" in Audacity or using programs to resample (Foobar is GREAT for this). Results have been mostly good. I have no complaints with my USB turntable.

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Note the OP's initial requirements.
Jun 19, 2014 10:39AM PDT

what you you suggest in that case?

P

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SQ matters!
Jun 20, 2014 3:30AM PDT

I think if this unit had the option of different formats such as WAV, FLAC [lossless etc] etc and at varying bitrates (128k is substandard, really) then I'd be all for it. But it's pointed at the mp3-easy-one-click market. Not everyone is willing to settle for baseline sound quality. The idea is great! Just need more options ...

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Re: Sound quality
Jun 20, 2014 3:55AM PDT

I wonder if the sound quality of an old cassette is so good that it deserves more than 128k mp3. It would be interesting to do a double blind test.

Kees

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I tend to agree but we have to work
Jun 20, 2014 10:02AM PDT

within the parameters given by the OP.

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Answer
cassette to digital
Jun 19, 2014 8:39AM PDT

I converted several old cassette tapes of music to digital. I have a little cassette player with RCA out on the back. I simply plugged this into a adapter that took the red and white RCA jacks down to a single line in jack, and plugged this into the input audio port on the back of my PC. You could save this to a thumbdrive instead of your hard drive, if you want. However, transferring audio in this fashion you will find the audio quality suffers a lot, and is not as good as the original sound, and so after a few tapes, I gave up on it. I decided that some of the tunes I wanted were coming out on CD's or were available as digital downloads off the web, and gave up the idea of saving tapes.

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You will note that the OP stated that he did not want his PC
Jun 19, 2014 10:38AM PDT

involved in the transfer.

Your method is fine, adding decent audio software into the mix helps, but has its limitations.

That said, if the original is not that good then the finished result will be not so good too.

P

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Non-computer converts
Jun 19, 2014 1:44PM PDT
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It's not so easy when no computer should be involved
Jun 19, 2014 9:58PM PDT

a quick look at your suggested list shows that they all require a PC to process the audio.

The little tape player just outputs the audio down the USB port to the computer.

P

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Works for me
Jun 19, 2014 10:38AM PDT

I, too, used an RCA to mini stereo jack to connect my tape drive to the computer. Audacity (free download) is good for recording the input to various formats. It also offers several editing options to improve the sound quality.

To save computer space, the files can be saved as a data CD/DVD, or Windows can make a music CD. I prefer to make data discs, as I can get more songs on a disc that way. Once the disc is burned and checked, the music files may be deleted from your computer.

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Answer
how to convert cassette content to digital
Jun 19, 2014 8:13PM PDT

it is easily possible by way of a dedicated device - get for about £25 from Maplins or Currys/Dixons or on Amazon: a cassette player a bit like a Walkman with play head only - comes with software disk to install to PC; it has an USB slot for cable going direct into your PC USB; the cassette is played back whilst the software runs & converts then burns the digital content onto CDR or DVD; the output format is usually .mp3 but might possibly include .wma & other formats . . . recommended & easy to locate & buy, easy to set up & use

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Answer
Here is one example.
Jun 20, 2014 2:49PM PDT
http://www.rakuten.com/prod/innovative-technology-itvs-750-record-cd-cassette-turntable-33-33-45/221751237.html?listingId=282466107&scid=pla_google_Electronics&adid=29963&gclid=CPGa_O6Sir8CFZSEfgodu0IAOg

There are several other brands that do the same.

What I do there are very few out there who can do like wise.
I use an old program called Cool Edit by scintrillium and record directly from a double cassette player and record directly to PC. Then the intense and long time splitting and editing each song from the sound track. That's the down side. The up side is I can save it in many different formats and quality.

By the way Scintrillium was bought out by Adobe.
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Answer
You Have Three Choices Under $100
Jun 20, 2014 10:25PM PDT

If you want a completely standalone product, you should look at;

1. Innovative Technologies ITVS-750 The Aviator 5-In-1 Wooden Music Center ($99.99)
http://www.amazon.com/Innovative-Technologies-ITVS-750-Aviator-5-In-1/dp/B00DBA856W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403350371&sr=8-1&keywords=Innovative+Technology+ITVS-750+Record%2FCD%2FCassette+Turntable

If you're willing to connect it to your computer, you should look at;

2. IMAGE® DUAL Hybrid LP/Vinyl Tape to PC MP3 USB Cassette-to-MP3 Converter Capture Converter Adapter ($18.99)
http://www.amazon.com/IMAGE%C2%AE-Cassette--Converter-Capture-Adapter/dp/B008BG5Y6A/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1403347788&sr=1-6&keywords=LP+%26+Cassette+to+CD+Converter

I think these will do what you want them to do. Myself, I would go for the IMAGE® DUAL Hybrid LP/Vinyl Tape to PC MP3 USB Cassette-to-MP3 Converter Capture Converter Adapter. Because it's small, and comes with the software to guide you through the conversion process. I have something similar for video tapes.

There is one more product you might consider;

3. Ion Tape2PC USB Cassette Deck ($89.99)
http://www.amazon.com/Ion-Tape2PC-USB-Cassette-Deck/dp/B000VG802I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403351420&sr=8-1&keywords=ION+Audio+TAPE+2+PC+USB+Cassette+Recorder+Deck

Regards,
Mr. Windows