What's the best software for recording old LP's tapes, etc???

[BERIGAN]

cuz, I'm cheap!

My Dad was playing one of his old, old cassettes that had themselves been transferred from Reel to reel tapes. Stuff he recorded off the radio in Europe in the 50's and 60's. Anyway, the tapes are getting old, and one jammed in the player.

I've talked for a long time about transferring them to cd via the computer, so I looked into some free programs. First thing I downloaded, after a search, audiograbber, had a swell review from CNET/download.com but, unless I am missing something, it wants to find the audio files already on your computer, disc, whathaveyou, but, it's not a recorder itself.

Then I remembered a friend's husband sent me a bunch of links to programs he downloaded to do some simple home recordings. Saw Audacity, downloaded it. It actually records.

But, the problems I am having now are quality. I thought the best sound would be to go from Headphonec to line in on the computer. But, no sound. Is there a headphone/mic to regular RCA cable??? I just have a cable with mic to mic plugs.

I copy stuff from Beta and VHS, to DVD no problem, have my Dad's Marantz pre amp going to our Beta(Tons of inputs and outputs on the back), a switcher to play laserdiscs, betatapes, VHS, DVD....but am feeling pretty stupid about this. have never really messed with audio copying, except to copy a cd to tape back when I had a cassette player in my car. Very straightforward.

Going from Headphone to Mic on computer, I get sound, faintly on the computer's speakers. I recorded a bit with Audacity, stopped it, and found volume and playback is pretty decent, at least for talk, music on the other hand...so, I thought, stop using the el cheapo tape player and get my Boombox out. Well, for some reason, it gets even worse through it! Not even worth recording.

Now that I am messing with this, I am likely to record some of my old audio tapes which are all music since some of them are 25+ years old as well.

But, I really don't want to spend a lot of money on this, if I don't have to! First stuff that came up in searches was $200 bucks...

Suggestions????

Plug tape player into betamax, then copy beta tapes to DVD???

[AllenLowe]

if you can find an old symetrix A to D converter (can't remember the model), this will get you in the digital domain cheaply and with great sound - though it is old technology (20 bit) I have used it to master many projects over the last 15 years, for everyone from Rhino to Sony - sounds great and is very smooth (like Obama) -

[Dan Gould]

Conrad,

I find it strange that your problem is low input levels, because in general it is supposed to be "too easy" to overdrive a computer sound card. So my first question would be are you choosing the correct input line to record from in Audacity? I use Goldwave and you can choose mic, line in, stereo aux and a couple of others. Also if you are using the microphone jack, Windows might be screwing you up. From Control Panel - Sounds and Audio Devices, there's an advanced setting for "boost microphone" that might be your problem.

But I can say that I've been transferring some old cassettes and have had no problem using the headphone output of the boom box, with a "Y" adapter into RCAs into another Y adapter into the line in jack. I can manipulate the levels by how loud the boom box is set and/or by using the slider in Goldwave. I can't see why you wouldn't get the same results with Audacity.

[Uncle Skid]

Lots of people here (me included) have had really good luck with the Xitel Inport.

Not exactly "cheap", but there is an Amazon Marketplace selller that has one (open box) for $33 total.

[AllenLowe]

hey Berigan, if they are cassettes and you want to send me some I can do a few - as long as you promise to vote for Obama -

..............just kidding, happy to do it and I have a nice system that will retain clarity - email me at alowe5@maine.rr.com if you want me to try some -

[BERIGAN]

Conrad,

I find it strange that your problem is low input levels, because in general it is supposed to be "too easy" to overdrive a computer sound card. So my first question would be are you choosing the correct input line to record from in Audacity? I use Goldwave and you can choose mic, line in, stereo aux and a couple of others. Also if you are using the microphone jack, Windows might be screwing you up. From Control Panel - Sounds and Audio Devices, there's an advanced setting for "boost microphone" that might be your problem.

But I can say that I've been transferring some old cassettes and have had no problem using the headphone output of the boom box, with a "Y" adapter into RCAs into another Y adapter into the line in jack. I can manipulate the levels by how loud the boom box is set and/or by using the slider in Goldwave. I can't see why you wouldn't get the same results with Audacity.

Dan,

I'm getting the feeling that Audacity is just not the best bet. As far as I can see, no adjustments to recording level, etc...I have vista, and clicking on Realtek HD audio manager, I did boost microphone to +30dB, and turning both the small tape decks sound up all the way, and my computer speakers up all the way, I can at least hear what I was trying to record through the speakers...the Realtek shows the imputs and outputs on screen, but if I hook up to line in, no sound for some reason....

[BERIGAN]

Lots of people here (me included) have had really good luck with the Xitel Inport.

Not exactly "cheap", but there is an Amazon Marketplace selller that has one (open box) for $33 total.

Sounds interesting! Bypasses the audio card eh??? And plugs right into USB port?? Sweet, as the kids used to say...til I made them stop saying it. Might have to get this....

[BERIGAN]

hey Berigan, if they are cassettes and you want to send me some I can do a few - as long as you promise to vote for Obama -

..............just kidding, happy to do it and I have a nice system that will retain clarity - email me at alowe5@maine.rr.com if you want me to try some -

Allen, that's very kind of you....are you feeling ok????

Thanks for the offer! I'm going to see what I can screw up, then my ask for your help...

PS, vote for Nader, and I'll vote for Obama!