Tape Cassette recording to MP3 file

  • Thread starter Thread starter bmovie
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bmovie

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Hi, everyone.

I'm new here, & I'm wondering what someone might suggest is my best way to transfer song demos on tape cassette (made with a Tascam MF-P01 Portastudio) to MP3 given the only two options available to me.

Here are those two options:

1. Buy a tape to MP3 converter with USB to do the job. (This option will cost money, & I'm unsure which system to buy.)

2. Use the mic jack on my netbook. (This option would cost no money. I don't have a line-in jack on my netbook, so I would have to use the mic jack. I've read that I'd have to set the play volume level low so as not to damage the netbook sound card, but I don't know what level 'low' would be.)

Thank you for any advice thrown my way!
 
Most mic inputs on a laptop will accept line level sources and setting the proper level is a function of the recording software which hopefully will have some kind of metering system to set the right level.

I'm not sure about the most current OS'es out there but older ones like XP didn't have a proper sound recorder as it would only capture 30 second wave files. So you'll need to invest in some sort of software or hunt around for a free app.

Cheers! :)
 
I've had good results with Audacity, which is a free recording software. Record it to that, then export it as a WAV file. Then import into iTunes and convert to mp3 from there.
 
Something like the Behringer UCA222 would probably do the trick. They seem to go for about $30. Capture your audio in WAV format, edit/process as needed and then export as MP3 (or do what Hammerstone says and export WAV then convert in another program).
 
I've also had passable results with recordings made to audacity.
 
Also, don't record to an MP3, record to a .wav file, then rip the MP3 from the .wav. Save the .wav for future use if you want a better quality version than an MP3 - depending on how important these recordings may be to you.
 
Thank you The Ghost of FM, Hammerstone, bouldersoundguy, kip4, & leddy for sharing your knowledge and experience with me. I didn't know that the Behringer UCA222 existed. It looks like magic in a plastic box. I've decided to buy one, as they're affordable, & have received mainly appreciative reviews from people who have bought & used it. I'll also save the music to a .wav file, as to have a better quality file squirreled away.

Thanks again one & all!

Um, by any chance is there a thread for recording experiences with the Tascam MF-P01?
 
I've been using ((Cassette to Firepod)) for several years now.
 
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