Mixing down / mastering to CD (slightly dumb newbie question)

[ugp]

I'm currently recording on a nice old Fostex x-26 analog 4-track, and thus far all the mixing down I've done has simply been onto an old tape deck. I'm looking to try and get some stuff onto CD, and was wondering how I could go about doing this. Yes, this is a dumb question, but I really have no idea. One of my friends just uses a line cable between his tape player and his computer's line jack, but this only allows for a noisy, crappy mono mix. I was hoping somebody here could maybe offer some insight into my little dilema... Thanks!

[Leeking]

Originally posted by ugp
but this only allows for a noisy, crappy mono mix.

if you connect your tape player and your computer line-in with a stereo cable (something like what your PC speakers are using) then you'll get noisy, crappy STEREO mix! (well, not so crappy if you have better soundcard like SBLive!)

Then you can use some noise reduction software like Steinberg Clean! to take away the tape hiss noise and you'll get pretty good result. That's what I do.

[gezzegas]

If you looking for a new investment I can recomend that you buy a stand alone CD burner for audio CD´s.
ex. Pioneer CDR-555RW or Philips CDR 707.
you can then go direct from your x-26 main out L/R to main in L/R
on the cd burner.
regards
Lars.

[SPINSTERWUN]

One of my friends just uses a line cable between his tape player and his computer's line jack, but this only allows for a noisy, crappy mono mix.

If you purchase a RCA L/R male to 1/8" stereo male cable that should take away the "mono" problem.

You could then save your songs as a WAV. file, then you could burn them to CD, either on your computer CD recorder or with a stand alone unit.

You will also need an editing program. Check out this SHAREWARE site.

http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/

peace

spin

[balls1299]

I don't know what your budget is but...

Sony has a new minidisc player/recorder out for around $250.00 U.S. that has the ability to connect to your computer via USB port. The disc can be recorded on time and time again and if you
get the tape deck connector(false tape) you can audition your mixes in different stereo systems including cars etc. It has headphones and is about the size of a walkman. It's a nice unit. Just a suggestion. Good luck.