transfer trouble

  • Thread starter Thread starter DmitriH
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DmitriH

New member
I'm also trying to move some cassette recordings to my computer so that I can post on a website. I followed the advice given here about the Y cable and was successful in that respect, but the transferred sound is terribly distorted. I've played around with the settings and nothing seems to work. Unfortunately, from what I've read on this site, it could be my sound card. I own a Sony Vaio laptop computer. It doesn't have a "line-in", only a "mic-in" as an input device. I downloaded the trial version of Cool Edit and received the same results in terms of quality of sound. I've also read that I need to use a preamp in order to make direct digital recordings to my computer. Can someone advise me as to what I should be using i.e., new sound card, preamp or both so that I can transfer from my stereo equipment to my computer?

Thanks
DmitriH
 
The mic-in is absolutely useless to you as a line-in... it accepts only mic-level input and the line-out of your cassette deck has a much higher signal level than the mic-in can handle (which is why you're getting the distortion).

You NEED a line-in..........

Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound
 
...I was afraid of that.

If I get a new or additional sound card, does it/can it come with it's own line-in? Any reasonably priced recommendations?

If so, would I be able to also use the line-in (only) to make home recordings with a mic or would I also need a preamp?

Sorry if these are dumb questions. Newbie here.

Thanks for the info Bruce

DmitriH
 
I'm the wrong person to ask for sound-card recommendations - I only use the computer for passing around clips/MP3, using the stock sound card that came in my Thinkpad (but it DOES have a line in which works very well!)

I can almost guarantee that you'll want a mic pre in addition to buying a basic card... the mic pres on sound cards aren't much more useful than for speech/voice recognition programs... useless for recording purposes.... but again - soundcards are really out of my area....

Can annyone else out there comment??

Bruce :)
 
I think there is a sound card info section on the home page here.
 
Distorted Mic In

My Denon tape decks have an output level control. If you are lucky enough to have one, try turning the volume down. No result? Turn it down more.

You *can* attain a good quality sound, but the result will be mono.

http://www.mp3.com/ebonyrun
 
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