Converting Analog Cassette-Tape to a CD

Question

Converting Analog Cassette-Tape to a CD

I have a couple old, but very precious cassette tapes that I want to convert to digital, so the material can be preserved on a CD or DVD.

No logic in spending money on hardware or software for only one project....

Is there a way to connect my cassette deck to the Mac? Using RCA cables coming from the deck, and USB or FireWire on the Mac....

The other option I was thinking of: I have a Panasonic Video/DVD recorder, that can convert video cassettes to DVD, so I was thinking to connect the cassette deck with an RCA cable to the R&L audio ports on the Panasonic, burn a DVD disk (with no image), and then, on the Mac, copy the material onto a CD...

What do you think? Thanks so much....

G5 Dual Core 2 GHz + MacBook 1.8 Ghz, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on May 13, 2008 1:27 PM

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Answer 1

May 13, 2008 2:29 PM in response to mynameismyname

Sure, you can connect the RCA directly to the G5 mic-in with an adapter, although if you can't control the output from your cassette deck (with a mixer, for instance) the signal may be too "hot" to record properly. Option 2 with a DVD recorder will also work well. As a matter of fact this is a great way to make long version mixes because even in LP (four hour) record mode, the bit rate is still plenty high for dubbed audio. You will need some kind of software to manage it, and Toast will do this, as well as lots of other nice backup options.

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Answer 2

May 13, 2008 7:17 PM in response to mynameismyname

hey there mynameismyname,
if you purchase a 1/8" stereo mini > dual RCA plugs(1/red, 1/white)you can connect directly from you casstte deck to the Mac's line in port, try Radio Shack or some other Big Box Mart. depending on your deck, if it has an output level you can use that to control signal from it. you can use use GarageBand, but create a new project for each song, export to iTunes, make a playlist & burn, print a case iinsert there as well.

good luck.

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Answer 3

May 27, 2008 3:36 PM in response to Donna Jones1

Update:

I connected my tape-deck with an RCA cable to my Panasonic video-DVD recorder, and I now have a DVD disc with all the audio I wanted to have, and a blank screen for video.

BUT: the audio is very low in volume (was quite low when recorded originally), and I'm looking for the right software to edit the volume and increase it....

This not music, this is my father (who passed away just couple of months ago) telling the history of our family to future generations.... So I don't care too much about sound quality, and don't need to invest in software to be used only once....

The file is a video file that has a blank image with audio sound. I guess I'd better convert it to AUDIO file first, before using audio software to enhance it....

Any help would be much appreciated....

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Answer 4

May 29, 2008 7:02 AM in response to mynameismyname

Assuming that you have either FCE or FCP installed on your system (since you posted in the "Pro Applications: Video" forum), you should have the MPEG-2 Playback Component installed as well. If that's the case, you should be able to use MPEG Streamclip (freeware) to convert the DVD's VOB files into an AIFF audio file. From there you should be able to open the AIFF file in SoundTrack Pro or other audio editing software ... or in FCE/FCP to boost the levels.

Once finished, you can either burn the final files to CD-ROM or DVD-ROM as a data disc, or use Toast to create an Audio CD which would be compatible with any CD player.

-DH

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Answer 5

May 29, 2008 9:16 AM in response to David Harbsmeier

Thanks, David, but NO, my post being here doesn't mean I have ANY experience in this field, nor do I have FCE or FCP installed (or know what they are, heh...)...

So I need you to please explain it to me s l o w l y ..... Should I download the freeware called MPEG Streamclip and open my .VOB file with it, and then save as an AIFF file?

Where do I go from there? I own no SoundTrack Pro or other audio editing software.... I need another freeware to open the AIFF file and simply BOOST THE SOUND VOLUME -- and save the file into a CD (or a DVD again, since the total length of it is about 170 minutes).

Thanks!

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Answer 6

May 29, 2008 1:07 PM in response to mynameismyname

If that's the case, and you don't want to purchase anything (hardware or software) and since you have no experience, I'd recommend hiring someone local to do this for you.

-DH

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Answer 7

May 29, 2008 1:21 PM in response to David Harbsmeier

As I mentioned before, this is a one-time project, and all it is for is preserving the voice of my late father, so it's strictly personal, to be used for his grandkids in the future....

I have a guy nearby, a pro who's willing to do the job for $100. But reading your post, I'm under the impression that I'm not as far from being able to do it myself by downloading and using some freeware/shareware programs..... No?

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Answer 8

May 29, 2008 2:57 PM in response to mynameismyname

No. You'd need the MPEG-2 Playback Component from Apple ($30.00) in order for MPEG Streamclip to work and an audio application for adjusting the levels ... plus the knowledge to use these tools effectively. IMO, you'd be better off getting someone else to do it.

-DH

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Answer 9

May 29, 2008 3:04 PM in response to David Harbsmeier

Got it.... Thanks!

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