How can I copy songs from an old cassette to a CD or to an MP3 file ?

Gotta be some kind of software out there Dean, can't help you with the specifics. I was at a client's last night and he picked up some software for a similar thing, but he's converting from old records (45 & 33 1/3). I can call him if you like to get the software company name, could be they have one for tapes as well. Let me know.

I got the Microsoft Plus! digital media edition for ripping vinyl to mp3($20 download). It would work for tape too. I have my stereo system's "line out" or "tape monitor-record" connected to the line-in on the sound card. You could just connect a tape deck directly to the line in.

"Line in" as in mike jack?
That's what I'm looking for Gene, where did you get it?

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/plus/dme/dmehome.asp

You should have aux in or line in. Mike in is probably mono

I run my cassette player into my sound card (Sound Blaster) then use Music Match to record it as a MP3. Like Gene said, it comes out in mono. You'd also need odd cables. I have a dual male RCA to go into the cassette that combines to a single male RCA cable...then a female RCA to male mini plug cable that goes into the sound card. I put a lot of old vinyl album music on cassette then to MP3. Quality isn't great but when there's only 2 or 3 songs I like, I could see paying $15 or so for the same thing on CD...not yet anyway.

There are three places to plug into on this sound card, one is for speakers, one is for mike and I guess the third must be "line in" then hu?

Mainly, the cassettes I want to copy are "one of"
My friends had a band for years and recorded some of their stuff on cassette which I suppose is not stereo Phonic.

After my friend had a stroke and couldn't play the guitar anymore the band disbanded. I mostly want to copy some of his instrumentals.

Originally posted by Dean:
There are three places to plug into on this sound card, one is for speakers, one is for mike and I guess the third must be "line in" then hu?
Not necessarily. Could be a line-out. It's not hard to plug to your PC speakers into it and see if any sound comes out. Also, double click the little speaker icon next to the clock and make sure Line-in and Line-out aren't muted.

Tim.

I don't have any little speaker by the clock.
:confused:

Dean,
Go to the 'Control Panel on the Start menu. Once in there find 'Sounds and Audio Devices' and open it.
-Click the 'Advanced...' button under the Device Volume Category(should be the top most'Advanced...' button).
-A new box should have popped up named 'Volume Control.'
-If the Line In, Mic In, and Aux levels aren't shown, click the 'Options' tab and then select 'Properties.'
-Select the levels you want shown in the Volume Control window and hit 'Ok.'

Hope this helps you out. Also, the program that I use to record vinyl/cassettes on my computer is called Goldwave. It is available as a free trial or you can purchase the full version.

-peace

This will walk you through step by step
http://www.cyberwalker.net/columns/feb02/150202.html

454M -
That's a great link, and it makes a very clear description on what has to be done. I did notice, however, a small problem with the write-up regarding recording from vinyl LPs. They did not explain that turntables put out distorted and very low signals in comparison to other types of players like cassette players. The stereo amplifier-receiver they mentioned MUST have a "Phono" input otherwise the signal level output will be insufficient. If you don't have one of those older amplifier-receivers, you can purchase a phono preamp from an electronics shop. The phono preamp, like the older amplifier-receiver is designed to compensate for the needle/pickup distortion. Newer amplifier-receivers do not work.

Thanks everyone for all the input.

My friend never did show up with the tapes but IF he does I think I can do it now.

His brother called here for him and Barbara said nope, we haven't seen him.
Brother said "he said he was going to your house when he left home."

It's hell to get so old you forget where you were headed and what you were going to do when you got there.

bob McC comments about the phono stuff are good. If you want to record from phono it really needs to go through a pre-amp. It's amplify the very weak signal from the cartridge up to something similar to what you'd get from a CD. Line level and phono level are not the same at all.

Also, the RIAA equalization is applied in the pre-amp. LP's sound horrible it the RIAA stuff is left out.

Tom

Dean said:"It's hell to get so old you forget where you were headed and what you were going to do when you got there."
I'm only 51 but starting to get some of this. whattabummer.

Tom