wav's from audio tapes - how to? / clone's poem

[Paul Mather]

Knut,

> does anybody has an idea or a nifty little software that helps me to
> transfer audio clips from normal analogue tapes into WAV files?
> It's pretty easy with CD's but I don't know how to add some Calvert clips
> that are on tape(s) only.
> I'd be grateful for any hint.

If you have a PC clone with a sound card (e.g. SoundBlaster clone), all
the ones I've see have a Line In input.  For a standard separates cassette
deck, what you need is a 2 x RCA Phono -> 3.5mm stereo jack plug to
connect your tape deck to the sound card.  (These are usually bundled with
portable CD players to allow you to connect the CD player to a regular
amplifier.  You can get them at any audio/consumer electronics shop.)  Plug
the RCA connectors to the line out (play) terminals of your cassette deck,
and the 3.5mm stereo jack to the line in socket of the sound card.

Having physically connected up your tape deck, you can use the recording
software bundled with the sound card to record cassette material and save
into .WAV format.  You'll need to use the mixer program to set the
recording level of the line in jack, but, beyond that, you should have no
problems.  Again, I know of no PC sound cards that do *not* come bundled
with mixer and recording software (albeit often primitive).  The software
you use to record from CDs is likely the same program you can use to
record from the cassette deck.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,

Paul.

obCD: Kyuss, _Welcome to Sky Valley_

e-mail: paul at csgrad.cs.vt.edu                    A stranger in a strange land.

Kyuss: it's why subwoofers were invented.