Newbie and question

[odie096]

Great Site!

Have a question, I have just found a box of cassette tape recordings of my Father, who was a Minister. They have been in a closet and are in fairly decent shape, as they are from the 70's with different brands, mostly the cheapest tapes. My Father passed away in '85 and I did not know of these recordings and would like to put them on my PC. The one that I have listened to in the car is fairly good audio, although it did have a couple spots that dropped audio.

Not too worried about the disposition of the cassettes once I get the audio off, only the recordings are what I want.

Thinking of getting this to play the cassettes on since I don't have a player besides whats in the car: DBTech Audio USB Portable Cassette Tape-to-MP3 Player Adapter with USB Cable and Software Cd Also Features Auto Reverse - FOR PC from Amazon

Any other suggestions that will help me get the best quality audio without spending too much money on it?? Probably won't use the recorder or any software again, as I don't have any other cassettes.

Should I be worried about the recorder "eating" the tapes since they are so old?? These are all from the old cheap recorders with some being placed on the pulpit, and some in the front pews. If any are broke, what would be the best way to fix them, not for saving the tapes, just getting the recordings off?

Thanks,

odie096

 

[Tom Hicks]

If your computer already has a soundcard of some type installed, they usually have two input jacks; mic in and line in, usually 1/8" stereo for the line in. If you can borrow a cassette player someplace, all you might need is a cable from Radio Shack or similar to connect the tape player to the line in jack.

There are a number of free recording software programs you could use to capture the signal, like
Audacity: Free Audio Editor and Recorder

Cassette players typically have a headphone jack, so this type cord might connect things to the soundcard.
RadioShack 3-Ft. 1/8" Stereo Plug Cable M/M (White): iPod accessories | RadioShack.com

its possible the cassette player might have RCA jacks instead, another common connection type from that era. Or the headphone jack might be 1/4" instead of 1/8". Also easy cords to locate and cheap to get.

 

[odie096]

Thanks for the reply Tom. I have a laptop, no rca inputs, does have a headphone and mic jacks. The above recorder I posted has a usb hookup and it's only 25 dollars, so, I don't mind buying that, plus I know it's new and won't eat the tape like an older one might. Don't mind spending some money on the recordings, just don't want to spend a lot.

Thanks again for the reply, any other advice is greatly appreciated. These recordings mean a lot to me and I just want to get the best I can without paying someone else to do it as I have over 30 tapes.

 

[snatchman]

Also, whatever tape player you use, I'd fast forward and rewind the tapes BEFORE playing them..This will help knock off some of the oxide if any is falling off the tapes...Then,before and after you play each tape, clean the heads/tape path..Seems like a lot of work, but believe me it'll be worth it so you don't gum up/eat up/knock out alignment the playback heads on the cassette player..Ask me, I went down that road and it ended up costing me head replacements.Of course this was back in the 90's when cassette tape was king..!!! ( lol)..Good luck

 

[Tom Hicks]

And cleaning the heads is a simple matter with Q-tips and rubbing alcohol. Keep the cassette tape path clean and the signal will transfer as cleanly as possible.