software for mixing down from cassette to computer

  • Thread starter Thread starter Indio
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Indio

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I am trying to use a computer to mix down from a 4-track cassette recorder (tascam 414 mkII)....I have a newish IBM laptop with plenty of memory, CD burner and juice....

I would like recommendations for some easy to use software...I am not planning to do a lot of mastering at this point....just very basic stuff to make the mix down sound good and make copies for collaborating musicians...

I was recemmended Nero at my local store and it costs about $80....is this a good program or are there others that are more suitable?

thanks in advance
Indio
 
You appear to not be quite clear what you're wanting to do. So let me tell you! :)

You're wanting a sound recording package of some description - but if I'm understanding you right, you only need it to be a two-track thing, i.e. stereo. In which case, the sound recorder in Windows might be all you need.

I'm not sure what the CD-burning capabilities are in XP nowadays, but what you basically need then is something that'll write to CD. I imagine it probably came with your laptop! Nero is one, Easy CD is another I think ... but you can blag it by recording you mixdowns at 16-bit 44.1KHz and dumping the stereo files straight into the CD-writer in Windows. That should be fine for writing a music CD.

BUT - If you want more sophisticated editing, effects, EQ-ing etc, then you need to get one of the cheap and basic multitrack packages that are around now. Audacity is free but I've not used it. N-Track is very cheap too, and will go with you as you expand to more computer-based recording.

Hope that helps you at least know exactly what you're asking.

Nik
 
Your laptop came with a CD-DW drive? Then it has a CD burning program installed. Find out what it is and let us know. You may be able to record from that. I have Roxio Easy CD creator, and it allows me to capture audio from an analog source (like my Tascam MF-P01) by connecting it from the stereo outs with an RCA on one end and an 1/8" plug on the other, directly to the line-in on my soundcard. You may be able to do that. Let us know which CD burning software you have. You may not have to buy anything else to get this done.
 
Professor and Rokket:

Thanks, it must be painfully obvious that I am a noob...and I really appreciate your patience.

The problem I am trying to solve is the following: mix down and dubs using my old dual cassette deck result in deterioration of quality, so it was suggested on this forum that I try mixing down into my computer....

I have a CD writer and a CD writing program called Sonic that came with the IBM laptop...it does not allow me to use an analog source for recording data...all the options in the program dictate use of CD's as the source...

There is an input on my computer that is 1/8th inch stereo input (and has a microphone picture next to it)....I was advised at the local music store that connecting to my USB port would be much preferable ...and so I will need an RCA (tascam line out) to USB cable...

I don't mind spending a few bucks...but I'd like to take it a step at a time...I guess I'm looking for a way to transport the mixed tracks from cassette tape, maybe do some simple mastering of the stereo tracks...and then record to CD (which my CD writer will presumably do)

Hope I'm making sense

Indio
 
Indio said:
Professor and Rokket:

Thanks, it must be painfully obvious that I am a noob...and I really appreciate your patience.

The problem I am trying to solve is the following: mix down and dubs using my old dual cassette deck result in deterioration of quality, so it was suggested on this forum that I try mixing down into my computer....

I have a CD writer and a CD writing program called Sonic that came with the IBM laptop...it does not allow me to use an analog source for recording data...all the options in the program dictate use of CD's as the source...

There is an input on my computer that is 1/8th inch stereo input (and has a microphone picture next to it)....I was advised at the local music store that connecting to my USB port would be much preferable ...and so I will need an RCA (tascam line out) to USB cable...

I don't mind spending a few bucks...but I'd like to take it a step at a time...I guess I'm looking for a way to transport the mixed tracks from cassette tape, maybe do some simple mastering of the stereo tracks...and then record to CD (which my CD writer will presumably do)

Hope I'm making sense

Indio
Click to expand...
Well, don't plug into that input with the mic next to it. It is a microphone input, and a line level input will be too much for it.

That being said, there are lots of free or relatively cheap programs out there that can record from an analog source. Just make sure that you plug into the line in on your laptop. If it only has that one mic input, you may want to go usb, but you will need some sort of interface. USB is data, not audio, so you can't just plug your cassette player into it and hope to capture your sound.

You may want to look at something like this:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=rec/search/detail/base_pid/701368/

It's designed for laptop use, and has multiple inputs. It should come with software too.
 
Rokket:

I know this must be trying for you, but I am trying to catch up....

So my laptop has no other line input...so I must use the USB port....but is it necessary for me to have a pre-USB unit such as the one described in your earlier post? It does not mention any software coming with it....(the unit you suggested accepts line, guitar and XLR inputs, but I would not be using it to record directly to computer....I guess I would plug the tascam output into the stereo line input of the unit)

I take it I also need to get something like N-track...it is 49 bucks and it supports CD burning in addition to other editing tools...

Indio

(I am confused with the advice given me by the guy at the store...who said all I would need are (a) a RCA to USB cable and (b) a program like Nero that accepts an analog source and has a CD write feature on it...N-track does seem to do so too and is less expensive than Nero)
 
The "guy at the store" is a 'tard. No RCA to USB adapter exists, it's like saying, MICROPHONE to MICROWAVE; not gonna happen.

with the M-Box you still need a recording program ie. Cubase, SoundForge, Acid, ProTools, CoolEdit, WaveLAb, etc. There's a lot of them.

Once you have a recording of the audio signal from the TASCAM (.wav format), then you use your CD writer to "burn" the file to CD. MAke shure you choose "make audio CD" or something like that, otherwise a CD player won;t read it.

Hope this helps...

~thane
 
Indio said:
Rokket:

I know this must be trying for you, but I am trying to catch up....

So my laptop has no other line input...so I must use the USB port....but is it necessary for me to have a pre-USB unit such as the one described in your earlier post? It does not mention any software coming with it....(the unit you suggested accepts line, guitar and XLR inputs, but I would not be using it to record directly to computer....I guess I would plug the tascam output into the stereo line input of the unit)

I take it I also need to get something like N-track...it is 49 bucks and it supports CD burning in addition to other editing tools...

Indio

(I am confused with the advice given me by the guy at the store...who said all I would need are (a) a RCA to USB cable and (b) a program like Nero that accepts an analog source and has a CD write feature on it...N-track does seem to do so too and is less expensive than Nero)
Click to expand...
That guy at the store doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground. Like I said, usb is data transfer, so in order to use it to transfer your music to your pc, it has to be converted into data first, so you will need either software that will utilize your soundcard to capture an analog signal, or something like I recommended above. It's up to you. If money is a problem, you may be able to get something like I recommended off ebay or some place like that.
 
Thane and Rokket:

Much thanks for spelling it all out in gruesome detail...I got it now and will do the necessary....wish I could send all you guys a six-pack in wav or other format!

thanks again
Indio
 
If all you want to do is record a stereo mixdown from a 4-track, then you could give Audacity a go, it's free.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

For doing what you want, it's pretty simple. Open up the program and hit record. I wouldn't use it for anything much more complicated because I don't think they've got the workflow right yet, but for simple recording it's very easy to use.
 
guys, thanks very much, I plan to get a basic M-box, check out the software that comes with it, and then see if I need the programs you suggested....

I do have a lot of old cassette recordings that might benefit from noise reduction a la accoustica...

this is great, thank you all again very much for your generosity and insights

Indio
 
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