How to transfer Four Track to PC ???

[Harrystad]

Hi...

I am want to transfer the music from my Tascam four track (cassette) recorder to PC, namely an Apple. Is there an adapter that converts the RCA (in stereo) to a USB port. I've lookeed around but found nothing, however I did find a video capture adapter for sale on E-Bay and figured that that may do the trick? Am I heading in the right or wrong direction?

Help!!!

Cheers,
Harrystad

 

[TimOBrien]

Wrong direction. Video's audio can be of lower quality.

What you want is an external audio interface.

http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_and_audio_interfaces.htm

Then again, you could just get an RCA-to 1/8" stereo cord from Radio Shack to connect your 4-track to the line-in port of your soundcard.

If you get a simple 2-channel interface or go direct to your soundcard, you're going to have to transfer your tracks over one or two at a time.
To make it simple when you get them all in the computer, I suggest that you go to the end of the song on the four track, arm ALL the tracks and put in some sharp (drumstick clack or handclap) sounds.
Then when you get them all in the computer you can line them all up by nudging the clacks together.....

 

[Whale Bone]

You'll probably want to use an interface with 4 inputs so you can transfer in one pass. Many 4-tracks (cassette-based) won't play accurately enough to line up tracks from 2 separate passes (they'll play at varying speeds). I struggled with this for a while on my 424 before coming up the hardware to do all 4 tracks simultaneously.

 

[zazz]

so long ago....do those tascams output to four tracks simultaneously??

 

[avieth]

so long ago....do those tascams output to four tracks simultaneously??

That's a good question. I don't think they have direct outs. But, I'm sure that each track has an insert in the form of RCA out and RCA in. So you can use the sends to get the tracks to the computer.

 

[Whale Bone]

My 424 has 4 RCA outs that are switchable between all 4 as tape outs or 2 as main L & R and 2 as sync in & out.

 

[Rokket]

Start your search here:

Audio Interfaces

What you are looking for is all there. You will have to read the specs to see if they are compatible with your Apple computer. A lot of them are compatible with both. They include drivers for both OS's.
Good luck with your search.

 

[Harrystad]

You'll probably want to use an interface with 4 inputs so you can transfer in one pass. Many 4-tracks (cassette-based) won't play accurately enough to line up tracks from 2 separate passes (they'll play at varying speeds). I struggled with this for a while on my 424 before coming up the hardware to do all 4 tracks simultaneously.

Hi,

What was the hardware that you found?

Cheers,
Harry

PS - Thanks to everyone here who answered. It has been most helpful!