Is there an easy way to transfer old audio cassettes to my computer? I believe my soundcard has an input plug for like, a microphone and a line in...so I assume I'd just plug the tape recorder into that but...software? I'm not sure if my creative soundcard comes with any sort of recording software on it.

Ideas? I found a bunch of old "radio shows" that my brothers and I made 20 or more years ago. Assuming the magnetic tape media isn't completely blank now I'd love to save this before they vanish.

I may have found something that would work on the creative console thingy. Should be interesting lol.

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Larreth Wolfsong (long retired)
Lanys T'vyl, Everquest

Zinky, Lvl 60 Warlock
Thunderhorn, WoW

I'd recommend against using the mic jack or line in. The sound quality is terrible.

It's best to use an external sound card or mixer that has both RCA and USB connections. That way you preserve the stereo if that's how it was originally, or at least get mono without clipping/static. Of course you'd need an RCA tape deck as well, or boom box with a stereo split phono jack.

As far as software, Audacity is pretty awesome for being free. And speaking of free, if you live near a college check and see if they operate a radio station. Odds are they'd have all the equipment you'd need there.

Hmmm, I suppose i can check radio shack or BB for some external thingy. As for sound quality, besides the degradation of the tapes themselves, it's little more than 9 or 10 year old kids yelling and putting on radio show skits hehe....I'm just hoping there isn't a ton of hiss and garble.

Hell I don't even have anything that can play a tape anymore. Gonna have to find one of those too =P

_________________
Larreth Wolfsong (long retired)
Lanys T'vyl, Everquest

Zinky, Lvl 60 Warlock
Thunderhorn, WoW

Want the easy way? http://www.ionaudio.com/tape2pc

Look for an old Coleco Adam external cassette tape drive.