On 25/10/11 11:39, James Sinnamon wrote:
Dear Linux users,
(Most of this is over my head but) I need to copy some old analogue audio cassette recordings into mp3 files. Two nights ago I found an old cassette deck being thrown out for a Council pickup day. How would you go about getting the analog stereo output of that into the single microphone input line that most PC's/laptops have? Can it be done through cable connections or can it only be done by playing it and using a microphone to record it (which would have to result in a loss of considerably more sound quality). Also, can an older Hi-Fi amplifier be interfaced with wire to a PC?
You need a simple cable. 3.5mm TRS on one end, 2x RCA on the other. Eg: http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=WA7014 Make sure to use the "line in" connection, not the "mic" connection on your PC. Fiddle with volume levels to ensure you're getting a loud, but not clipped, signal. However in actual practice I find it's much faster to just download a new digital copy of your album from the internet. I wouldn't bother transcribing from tape unless you have something particularly rare or hard to find. -T