cassette to computer

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zola

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I am a new member as of today. I am trying to record to my computer from my Marantz cassete tape player/recorder. My sound card is SB Live. I was told that my "In-Line" on the computer is for digital recording only. I attached a cable to the Line Out on my Marantz and plugged the other end into my Mic Input. When I started recording the sound was very loud and distorted. The record line went "bananas." I hope I haven't damaged my soundcard. How can I transfer my cassette recording to my computer. All advice greatly appreciated. Thanks, Zola
 
The Line in is an analog input. There is also (depending on the model of the Live card) an odd-looking plastic digital minijack with a yellow plastic collar. Use the regular minijack labeled Line In. The Mic In has a preamp on it and is for a much lower-level signal, as you discovered.
 
Line-In versus Mic In

Dear Alchuck,
Thank you for your note. I have learned that, indeed, I do have a "Line-In" on my computer. I was told that it is the opening with the blue collar. However, (and if that is the Line-In) when I attached my cable to the Line-In it still did not record. Perhaps I am using the wrong cable. Radio Shack supplied me with an Audio Cable and there is only one plug on each end. Could you give me specifics on the proper cable to purchase. Is it possible that my In-Line would only serve a digital sound source? Forever grateful for your help. Zola
 
The cable you need is 2 RCA mono's to 1/8" male stereo plug. Still, with the cable you have you should be getting some signal. Check to see that the line-in in the SB mixer is not muted and up. The SB live will be fine for what your doing.
 
Computer recording

Dear Alchuck,
I have solved the problem! The Line-In was not selected in the Record section of Volume Control. After I selected Line-In, I recorded without difficulty using the Radio Shack Audio cable. Thank you again for your help. Zola
 
Hi Emeric,
Thank you so much for your advice. I found that my problem was that I didn't have Line-In selected for recording. After I selected it, it worked like a charm. I'm at a loss as to why this cable that I'm using works for there is only one plug on each end. Could the 2 mono RCA's to an 1/8" stereo mini-plug which you refer to be for use with a stereo cassette deck. The cassette recorder that I am using is a Marantz and it has only one line output. Where would I normally plug in the end that has the two plugs? Zola
 
Zola,

Yeah I assumed you were recording stereo, I guess it's mono. Unless you have some type of TRS connector on the Marantz, not impossible I suppose.

The 2 RCA's would plug into the RCA outputs, Left/Right on the cassette deck.
 
zola,

Is it one of those neat old mono portable Marantz machines? If you plug in one of the two plugs, you'll get the signal through either the left or right half of the stereo signal. The other can jus dangle there, I guess.

Re the Line in issue, it's very common that people think they can't record, because for some reason, with this sound card at least (though I suspect it might be a Windows thing), the installation process ends up with the Line In disabled by default for some odd reason. And enabling it is not exactly the most straightforward thing in the world, the user interface of the Windows mixer applet being so poorly designed.
 
Hi Mojka, Emeric & Alchuck,
I am using a portable Marantz Model 201. I'm sorry I failed to include that info in my post. It's pretty decent machine. I'd enjoy the convenience of a mini-disc recorder though for music workshops, etc. Zola
 
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