Transferring tapes to MP3

Welcome to Old Skool Anthems
The Old Skool Resource. Since 1998.
Join now

BullyJsy

New member
May 7, 2008
12
0
0
I have loads of old tapes and want to digitise them for obvious reasons.

What is the best way these days?

I tried one of those little ION tape players and a lead to my old PC with EZ software but the player speed wasn't great and the tunes sounded odd.

Is there anything out there better these days?

I also have upgraded to an iMac (or downgraded some PC users would say!!) so would hope there is something Mac related.

Thought I would ask here as you guys must have done it loads.

I will upload some when converted, some good local Jersey stuff, Rory O Moore etc and some big names to at the Venue, Inn on the park etc.
 

siman91

Member
Dec 28, 2002
996
3
18
51
Brisvegas
My PC set up is...

Sony TC K630ES tape deck via decent cables to
Pionerr DJM 500 via decent cables to
M Audio Audiophile 192 soundcard to
Adobe Audition 1.5 (as BBC use)

Does the job nicely, I do not restore only balance and trim as a tape should sound like a tape.

S
 

ilovepiano

Active member
Jul 9, 2002
5,329
3
38
It's pretty simple really, you just need...

Something to play the tapes on

A lead to go from the tape player to the LINE IN on your computer. I assume Macs have one of them? Wouldn't put it past Jobsy for it to be an optional extra lol :p

Software to record on. Audacity is free for real computers, I don't know if there's a Mac version... :p As mentioned above, Adobe Audition is great, a lot of people use Sound Forge too. :thumbsup:
 

BullyJsy

New member
May 7, 2008
12
0
0
Cheers for the info, will look into it and maybe get a decent tape player from somewhere.

FYI, PCs are for poor people.:cool:
 

ilovepiano

Active member
Jul 9, 2002
5,329
3
38
There is & I like to think of it as far superior to the version available for cheapskates :D

Cheers for the info, will look into it and maybe get a decent tape player from somewhere.

FYI, PCs are for poor people.:cool:


One day you'll realise that you spent twice as much for the same Chinese electronics but in a shiny case... think of all those lovely vinyls you could buy with the difference! :D
 

Robbie Chopper

New member
Mar 23, 2006
579
1
0
50
On the mo-fo'in 1's and 2's
i think if you already have recording software but that tape player thing is a bit dodgy then all you will need is something to play your tapes on, theres plenty of second hand stores that will have seperate tape decks for sale or i think someone once mentioned that they use an old Walkman with a 3.5mm jack - 3.5mm jack lead :thumbsup:

either way you may need a new lead, somewhere like Maplins will sell them or there'll be millions online that will probably be cheaper ;)

heres a lead for if you manage to find an old working walkman
[ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/3-5mm-Stereo-Jack-Plug-1-2M/dp/B00077DC3S]3.5mm Stereo Jack Plug to 3.5mm Stereo Jack Plug 1.2M: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics[/ame]

heres a lead for if you find an old seperate tape deck
[ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/3-5mm-Phono-Stereo-Audio-Cable/dp/B000Q6LSVS"]3.5mm Jack to 2 x RCA Phono Stereo Audio Cable 3m Lead: Amazon.co.uk: Musical Instruments[/ame]
 

siman91

Member
Dec 28, 2002
996
3
18
51
Brisvegas
Only word of caution, I have lost plenty of tapes over the years to crappy tape decks which happily chew tapes up. Most tapes are now 20 years old and prety fragile, weak tape, knackered bearings etc. Just be cautious.

If you want pm me, I will give my home address and you can post them through to me and I will record them for you as I have done previously for others on this site. Otherwise it maybe easier to use the other free tape ripping service.

S
 

BullyJsy

New member
May 7, 2008
12
0
0
Thanks all, advice appreciated.

The tapes are in storage at the mo, I will hook them out and make a call on which road I take.