recording from cassette tape to Firebox to Powerbook

  • Thread starter Thread starter cadillacvernon
  • Start date Start date
C

cadillacvernon

New member
Hi there,

I am planning to record some old cassette tapes to my 12" Powerbook G4 via my Presonus Firebox (the only audio interface I have at the moment).

I would like to lose as little quality as possible. From what I have read in these forums, the best way would be to go from tape to DAT to computer, but since I don't have a DAT recorder I am just going to go from tape to Firebox to computer. Is this okay? Or should I really consider renting a DAT recorder for this project?

Also, I am wondering about the connections. Obviously I am going Line Out from my tape player to Line In on my Firebox, but the Line Out from my tape player is RCA connectors whereas the Line In on the Firebox is "phono" or quarter-inch, whatever it's called (in the manual it says the Firebox Line inputs accept balanced or unbalanced connections), so I am guessing I will need to get one of those RCA to mini-jack connectors and then put a mini-to-quarter-inch thing over top of it. Will this degrade the sound quality at all? And is it possible to buy a cable that goes RCA to quarter-inch?

Also, what program should I use to record? I used to use Cooledit or Soundforge on my PC, and would just press record on the software and then press play on the tape player. On my Powerbook I have Garageband which I never really liked and Logic Audio.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you!
mike
 
Why would you go to DAT? The converters in the Firebox are probably cleaner than in all but the most high end DAT hardware anyway thanks to economies of scale driving the high-end tech to low-end price points.

As for cables, get a stereo RCA to RCA cable and get two adapters from RCA to quarter inch (mono). Put them on the Firebox end of the cables. You can probably get cables that go directly from 1/4" to RCA, but they'll probably cost more and you definitely shouldn't hear any audible difference between the two.

You do not want to use one of the RCA to mini plug cables. Those are intended for splitting a stereo signal (1/8" stereo) into two RCA outputs. The 1/4" jacks on the Firebox are mono.
 
Ah I see, that makes perfect sense. Thank you so much!
 
Sorry, one more question... "phono" is the same thing as "RCA" right? Like if it says "phono to 1/4 inch adapter," that is okay?

Also, how do I tell if the RCA cable is stereo. Is it just the standard red and white to red and white, or is it something different?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top