Recording in from Casette

John O Keeffe · Post by **John O Keeffe** » 22 Feb 2002 2:12 pm

Just wondering how you would record in to the computer from casette....Would the input for the mic do??
Is there any shareware programme that would clean up a recording on casette??
So many questions..........

Graham · Post by **Graham** » 22 Feb 2002 6:39 pm

John:
Use a "Y" patch cord, 2 RCA plugs to a single stereo 1/8 mini plug. Plug into the Line In on your sound card.

Can't help you with the program. I use a registered version of cooledit2000, with a clean-up plug-in. Works real good at taking out clicks and pops from records and removing tape hiss. $69.00 U.S. for the program, $49.00 U.S. for the plug-in.

------------------
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http://users.interlinks.net/rebel/steel/steel.html

mickd · Post by **mickd** » 23 Feb 2002 11:44 am

John
don't try using a mic - direct into the card from the tape 'line out' is easy and works well. I use Musicmatch Jukebox to do the recording.
I recently downloaded a free trial copy of CoolEdit 2000, and I used this to cleanup some noise from an old tape recording. It works well, and you can also use it to slow down a track or to change the key.
Mick

John O Keeffe · Post by **John O Keeffe** » 23 Feb 2002 1:33 pm

Graham ,I think I have that "Y" cord you are talking about.I'm sure Real Jukebox would record it in.
Mickey...I am gonna try that cooledit too and maybe the line out on the Tape recorder.
Once again this Forum is a great source of info.Thanks .............JOHN

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 23 Feb 2002 3:37 pm

I'm confused....if you have the proper software can you use the mic port for importing from cassett to your computer?

Bill Crook · Post by **Bill Crook** » 23 Feb 2002 4:00 pm

Gene....

No, because it will be distorted. It's the same as putting a pre-amp in front of your ampifier. Too much signal drive. Even at best, putting the input signal into the "line-in" jack may cause distortion problems. If you you are getting the signal from the headphone jack, You must be very careful to not over drive the "line-in" jacks maximum 1 volt signal level. I use a 2 resistor pad in series with the signal to keep it at a level acceptible to the sound card.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 23 Feb 2002 5:12 pm

....so,what I need is a USB connection from a casset to the computer?.....Gene?

Bill Crook · Post by **Bill Crook** » 24 Feb 2002 6:43 am

Gene...

Again, No.

You can use the line-input jack of your sound card but you must be careful to not let it go into distortion. Any use of the "Mic" input jack will most certainly result in distortion.

Experiment around a bit to get the best signal level for your input device. Some require more than others.

A high signal level on an extended timeframe will eventually damage the sound card. (been there,done that) As for use of a USB port, I'm not aware of any device that connects to a USB port for recording.

Tommy Mc · Post by **Tommy Mc** » 24 Feb 2002 7:08 am

Also, the mic input is most likely mono. Bill is right, by experimenting with the sound card's volume controls, 'line-in' is the way to go.
Try to avoid using 'headphone out' as a source. This is intended to drive those little speakers in your headphones, and could overpower your soundcard....sort of like drinking from a fire hose.

John O Keeffe · Post by **John O Keeffe** » 24 Feb 2002 9:36 am

Theres a input just alongside my "mic in" at the back of the tower....so I guess this must be the "line in" eh???
If I bring the sliders down in the soundcards mixer ...then it should not overload it ???
John

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 24 Feb 2002 9:46 am

On my sound card 'mixing board' that I can bring up from the task bar this line in jack (which is, on my computer, yes, next to the mic in jack) is called aux.

John O Keeffe · Post by **John O Keeffe** » 25 Feb 2002 11:42 am

Problem is my little tape recorder has three inputs mic in,rem and headphones.Is rem the line out from the tape recorder??

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 25 Feb 2002 11:46 am

"Rem" is for a remote switch to pause and restart recording. You probably should upgrade to a stereo cassette player with a stereo line out.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 25 Feb 2002 1:01 pm

Jim is right but....it may be possible with very careful use of your machine's volume control to trim it back enough so that you are not overdriving the line in on your computer. I've run a walkman thru a stereo system, headphone out>line in with acceptable results.

John O Keeffe · Post by **John O Keeffe** » 25 Feb 2002 4:32 pm

The main reason for this is I want to record some of my own stuff on to tape....I know this may be crazy but what I was going to do was
Run a drum machine and rthym track through the mixer...Record it.
Run that through the mixer this time add vocal and record it.
Finally run that through the mixer board and play mt steel/Tele and record it once again
I know its crazy but I can't think of anything else unless I get a midi file maybe and do it all at once.

I may find something in Dallas,electrical stuff is pretty expensive here and funny enough any of the new tape recorders I've seen don't have a stereo line out or in......just a headphone socket!

Tommy Mc · Post by **Tommy Mc** » 26 Feb 2002 10:09 am

John, It sounds like you are trying to multi-track record the hard way! Software abounds that will let you use your computer like a multi-track recorder, and drum machine. You might rummage around here: http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/ and look for something that suits your needs.

John O Keeffe · Post by **John O Keeffe** » 26 Feb 2002 12:26 pm

I'll check it out Tommy .......Thanks

mickd · Post by **mickd** » 26 Feb 2002 12:39 pm

John
I can recommend a shareware program called 'Studio'. The free version is all you need for 4-track working. Its easy to use too.
There are probably quite a few other similar programs just as good, but thats the only one I've tried and its all I need so far
Mick

Carter York · Post by **Carter York** » 26 Feb 2002 2:35 pm

mickd,

where did you get your copy of 'studio'? I'd like to check it out.....

thanks,

Carter

John O Keeffe · Post by **John O Keeffe** » 26 Feb 2002 4:04 pm

I downloaded QuartzAudio 4 from the site thatTommy gave ,I'm sure Studio is on there too but I still don't know how to record in stuff.
Like could I play the Steel and ryhtm and lead one at a time direct in to my computer or would I need to put it on tape first,I must say its a bit confusing.
JOHN.........Steel Confused

Carter York · Post by **Carter York** » 27 Feb 2002 4:12 pm

John,
without having used that program, I can't give you specifics, but 'yes', that is the gist of multi-tracking, either with an analog 4 track cassette, a computer program, a digital 8 track, whatever. The goal is to allow you to set the program to record to a specific track (let's say 1), record that part (let's say acoustic guitar). you should then be able to set it up to record into track 2 with your steel guitar, while hearing what you recorded into track 1 play back. similarly, you can do that 2 more times, recording 4 tracks, one at a time, into the computer. some multitrack programs will allow further manipulation of each track, some won't....

Carter

John O Keeffe · Post by **John O Keeffe** » 27 Feb 2002 4:15 pm

Thanks Carter I think I am figuring it out slowly.......I'tll be a lot of trial and error I guess!.......JOHN

Tommy Mc · Post by **Tommy Mc** » 27 Feb 2002 6:55 pm

Looks like Recordlab's site is back up and offering Internet Tapedeck for free again. It's a decent 8-track recorder and the price is right... http://www.recordlab.com/products/Internet_TapeDeck/Internet_Tapedeck.html

mickd · Post by **mickd** » 28 Feb 2002 12:47 pm

Carter
the full name of 'studio' is 'Quartz Studio 4'. I can't remember where I downloaded it from - but it was probably 'www.download.com'.
Mick

Dan Najvar · Post by **Dan Najvar** » 2 Mar 2002 11:10 am

Hi there ,I go out the headphone out in to the line in and use Cake walk "Guitar Tracks"
to record tapes. I jst use the input meters on the tracking panel so I can see where the optimum level is. It works great.
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