Cassette tape into computer

This is an inexpensive solution that will do everything for you and is widely available (even at Staples stores)

http://www.ionaudio.com/tapeexpress

If you want to be able to use your JVC tape deck, we'll need to know what types of outputs you have available (headphones, line out, etc.)

A cable from Radio Shack or the like with stereo headphone plugs on both ends, one to fit the tape deck and the other for your MBP's input, will get the analog audio into the computer. Then you'll need a sound recording and editing application, such as the freeware [Audacity|http://audacity.sourceforge.net>. I imported about 100 old cassettes into iTunes this way a couple of years ago.

You need a cord from Radio Shack or some other electronics retailer which has RCAplugs on one end and a stereo plug on the other end. Connect the two RCA plugs into the mack of you tape deck and connect the stereo mini plug end into the Mac. I assume you have an audio program to enable you to record and save the input. If not, there are many available including garage band.

The advantage of using the tape deck's headphone port instead of its RCA outputs is that you can typically adjust the output volume of the headphone port, which is handy when you're trying to optimize the level of the input to the Mac.

If your MBP has two 1/8" phone ports, the one that doesn't have a headphone icon next to it is the one to use. I can't figure out what the icon next to the other port is supposed to be, but that's the input port.

If your MBP only has one 1/8" phone port, choose that one. 😉 You'll need to select it as the input source in the Sound pane of System Prefs.

Message was edited by: eww

Yes, it goes in there.

I've never used GarageBand and don't know how it works, but I suspect you'll still have to designate the Line In port as your input source in System Prefs when using GB for your recording.

If you're asking what software I used instead of GarageBand, I used the free, open-source Audacity, which I linked in an earlier post in this thread. I have no idea how simple it is compared to GarageBand, because I've never opened GarageBand. At the time I digitized my cassette tapes, I didn't know Garageband could be used for that purpose, and I had deleted it from my computer. Digitizing those tapes was the only audio-related work I've ever done on my Macs, and though there was a learning curve, Audacity proved to be simple enough for me to get the job done well with it.

I am doing exactly that right now;
I am using a lead from the headphone output on the tape deck to the Audio Out port on my 13" MBP the cord is a standard headphone to 2 din type, so I have an adapter from the 2Din to single stereo which fits the socket on the MacBook.
I have never been able to figure out Garageband - I am using 'Audacity' (a free download) which as a non technical/or musician type I find quite simple to use.
You can then either burn to CD etc or imput direct to iTunes;
I find using Toast to record to CD, and then downloading to iTunes from the CD works fine for me.
The only problem I had initially was figuring out how to get the sound through so I could monitor it while recording ie - go to System Preferences - sound - output, and set 'use audio port for' to 'Sound Input'; you then also have to click on the microphone symbol in Audacity (under the channel level meters) and select 'Start Monitoring'.
If you want to send your email address I could send you my "cheat list" for the process I use.
I find the sound quality on CD is far, far better than the original tapes, even when the tapes were home recorded ones!
Nick.

Very encouraging, post, Nick. I would just add to it that this part...

go to System Preferences - sound - output, and set 'use audio port for' to 'Sound Input'

...applies only to the 13" MBP, which has just one audio port, used for both input and output. On MBPs with two audio ports (like mine and PigJubby's), one is Line In and the other is Headphones, and the options in the Sound pane of System Preferences are a little different.

Hi eww,
I hope I'm not totally out of order in asking you an off subject question, but you seem to be very knowledgeable 🙂
I am looking for a DC charger for my 13" MBP to use whilst camping (I have an inverter but that is inefficient and runs even a new car battery down very fast).
A 60w one seems hard to find so is it OK to use an 85W version (as someone told me) on the 13" - if so that would be useful 'cos I will probably buy a 17" next time around; I have not needed to use my G5 since I got a Cinema Display - I can do everything on the laptop.
Again sorry (especially to PigJubby) if I am out of order asking this here.
Nick.