help w/external A/D converter

[dirtyredman]

i have a bunch of old tapes (reel-to-reel) of my dad and his band from the 70s i have a stand alone A/D converter with xlr digital out, optical digital out, and MIDI out. i want to use the converter and make MP3s out of these tapes. how do i do that? i have a compaq 7595 stock (no upgrades) vintage 2000. what hardware/software do i need to put this stuff into my computer so i can make cds or mp3s? any help would be great. very new at this.

[XLR]

What kinds of audio input jacks does your computer have?

What's the make and model of the converter?

Do you have audio recording software?

Do you know for sure your tape machine is working at its best? Has it been idle since the 70's?

Are the tapes in good shape? Have you played them?

Tim

[dirtyredman]

audio inputs on the computer: line in, mic in

converter: behringer EQ2496 digital EQ

recording software: musicmatch jukebox, rioport audio manager

tape machine: TEAC x-2000r in excellent shape

tapes: in good shape but i don't want them to start fading or dropping out or all the things tapes do when you play them to much

i want to save this music from being lost due to time

[XLR]

Originally Posted by dirtyredman

audio inputs on the computer: line in, mic in

converter: behringer EQ2496 digital EQ

Ways to input the converter into your computer include USB and PCMCIA interfaces, or an internal soundcard with a digital input.

Haven't heard the quality of the B'er EQ's converters but I'm sure others will comment on them.

Have you tried your computer's existing converters throught the line input?

Tim

[dirtyredman]

i lose a lot of quality when i use the onboard converter. i think compaq used a cheap one.

[Farview]

If you really want to save this music, don't turn it into an mp3. That is a compressed format that is always a step down in quality.
Are the behringers convertors 24 bit? If not, you would be better off getting an M-Audio 2496 for $100 (or so) and getting Audacity for software.
Record the songs at 24bit and back them up that way. If you want to listen to mp3s, go ahead and make them, but don't archive in that format.