I would like to transfer a few old cassette tapes to CD under Win98SE. Haven't messed with audio much, but I assume that I will need a .wav recorder and mp3 encoder. Anyone have a suggestion about what software I should use? Ideally, I would like some simple to use freeware. Nothing fancy except perhaps auto-leveling capability.

I was going to try MusicMatch Jukebox 7.2, but have been unable to get the program running.

Hi,

I use CoolEdit 2000 to do exactly what you are asking about. I happen to run it under WXP, but I think it runs fine under W98. It has a built-in MP3 encoder that allows you to directly save to MP3 format. It has editing functions so you can mark, cut, and paste audio just like you would text. It is great for removing pops and dead space from audio. I occasionally use it to move music from cassette tape to CD or my MP3 player. All you need to do is run a cable between the audio output of your tape deck to the line-in port of your sound card. Next, check the advanced settings of your computer audio to make sure line-in is not muted and has a reasonable volume level. Thats it, your ready to start recording. One precaution, early on I used too high a line-in volume and it caused the recorded sound to be distorted.

Tomboy

When I transferred my tapes to CD I used a free utility called WaveRepair to record the tape as wav file (/http://www.waverepair.com). Easy program, not fancy but just did what I was looking for. For converting into MP3 I used LAME encoder, also free. :)

Santana

and I would also ike to add, do not use the line out on the tape deck if you do not have to, if it has an earphone jack use it, less chance of doing any damage to the sound card, learned by experience. A good Sony WAlkman or anything similar will do the trick also.

What I would try is some apps form Blaze Audio, alot of good apps for doin this such thing!

Thanks guys, I will have a look at those apps.

The opposite my friends, the opposite. For getting good (or at least the best possible) audio quality you are supposed to use the Line Out (tape deck) to Line In (soundcard).
Never put unnecessary stuff (like earphone amplifier and volume control) in the signal path. This might be of less importance in this case (as a tapedeck in general produces a lot of distortion and noise itself) but gets more important withg other sources.

And ok, the ordinary soundcard is bad too... And the music itself might be recorded bad or worse and so on. This is a principle. Another principle should be: If your soundcard doesn't have a working Line in you might as well throw it out with the garbage and go buy a decent one.

Whoa, there is always alot to say about audio quality...
:)

sure there is and everthing is a matter of opinion, the line out is set a a certain volume level because the pre-amp or amp whatever your configuration controls this, you don't need an earphone amp for most tape decks because the volume control is on it (the tape deck). If you mistook what I said let me clarify the earphone jack on the tape deck itself, not the amp. So far all of my cassette to cd recordings have turned out and most people didn't know it started on tape. This configuration has always and will always work for me. I use PYRO 2003 MP CD Maker to do it too.

Is there anyway you can let me know how this turns out. I am also wishing to put some of my older cassete onto tapes since they never made it to retail CD's.

kamikazee Why did the line out cause damage to the sound card.

Thanks

TLA

TLA -

Sure, I will try to post results here and also send you a PrivateMessage if you want. Might be a while before I get to it, though, as I am reloading my system from scratch right now.