importing analog audio

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Level 1

5 points

importing analog audio

I would like to import my old cassette tapes into iTunes. How do I do it? I have connected the RCA cables from the deck to the import on the back of my tower. Now what? I've done this before but can't recall just how. I see I do have Audacity already installed but it doesn't seem to notice when the deck is playing.

Dual 1.25 GHz G4, Mac OS X (10.3.x), 1.25 GB DDR SDRAM

Posted on May 29, 2009 2:36 PM

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Answer 1

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Euchre

Level 4

1,275 points

May 30, 2009 6:46 AM in response to taueva

In Audacity you would need to go into the preferences and select the I/O Source (audio input) device to be sure it's pointed to the correct one to accept the incoming signal from your tape player. You might find it easier to use GarageBand to record the audio, then manipulate the file in Audacity.

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Answer 2

May 30, 2009 11:15 PM in response to taueva

Spin Doctor (part of Toast 5) did an excellent job of importing tape /vinyl into AIFF, which iTunes can then convert to mp3.

You need lots of RAM though.

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Answer 3

taueva Author

Level 1

5 points

Jun 8, 2009 8:34 PM in response to Euchre

I found Garage Band confusing for importing a tape since it asked me what kind of an instrument I was using. So I contacted the Audacity forum and was walked through their odd steps. It took a while initially but worked just fine.

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Answer 4

taueva Author

Level 1

5 points

Jun 8, 2009 8:38 PM in response to Simon Teale

Since I didn't have Toast, and didn't want to have to buy something just for one small project, I contacted the Audacity forum, which proved more helpful than their tutorial.

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