Transfer Audio Cassettes to iTunes

In your other discussion, you mention that you have a Windows computer, so I'll assume that is what you are using for your cassette tapes.

Unlike CDs, there is no method for iTunes to import from CD. Instead, you will need to record from the cassette tape to your computer (to create a digital file) and then add the resulting digital files to iTunes.

The application I use for recording from the tapes is Audacity (which is free). However, there is a learning curve to get through before you get the best out of Audacity. Perhaps alternative applications might be easier. Do not be tempted to use the Windows built-in option, named either Sound Recorder or Voice Recorder. Neither will produce satisfactory results from cassette, especially if you are recording music.

Connect the Line Out (or Line Output) from the cassette recorder to the Line In (or possibly Aux In) on your computer. Then use Audacity (or whichever programme you choose) to record the tape's output. That is then exported from Audacity as a digital file - I suggest the MP3 format.

Once you have a digital file of your cassette recording, move it to the iTunes Music folder (and into a sub-folder as required) and then use the iTunes menu option File/Add File to Library or for multiple files in the same folder, File/Add Folder to Library.

Do you remember how we made tape recordings? One had to set the record level high enough to hear the sound to be recorded (and thereby hide the tape hiss), but not so loud that the sound became distorted. Typically, there was a red area on the record meter that one tried to avoid.

The same principal applies with Audacity, but with a new trick up its sleeve.

When you use Audacity to record from the tape, you still need to set the record volume high enough (the Recording Level control is inside the Record Level Meter, which should be on the top menu bar), while not overloading the input, thereby causing distortion. However, the big difference with recording into the PC like this is that the volume can be lifted after the recording.

If you are using Audacity 3.3.2, once you have made the recording, use the top bar menu to:

• • Select/All, which will select the full length of the track
  • Effect/Volume and Compression/Amplify (if using older versions of Audacity, the menu is Effect/Volume)

You will see a panel like the one below:

• • if you tap the Apply button, the volume (amplitude) of the entire track will be increased

Note the New Peak Amplitude (dB): will be 0.0 (zero). In other words, this the maximum that you can increase the volume without causing distortion. The usual computer options exist; Undo and Save etc.