Tapes to cds - what's available ?

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 4 Jun 2006 6:58 am

I have numerous sermons of approximately 45 minutes each on cassette tapes that I would like to copy to cds that will play in our car cd player. I would appreciate helpful info - can I put more than one on a rewritable cd blank ? Is it possible to do high speed, like high speed tape dubbing ? What machines are available ? etc. Thanks -- Bill Myrick.[This message was edited by Bill Myrick on 04 June 2006 at 07:59 AM.]

James Sission · Post by **James Sission** » 4 Jun 2006 7:32 am

I put my cassettes into the computer with a free software called Audacity. Then I downloaded a free MP3 ripper and and ripped them to MP3 and then burned them to CD. There is probably a faster way, but this way was free....James

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 4 Jun 2006 7:46 am

I'm pretty sure WInows XP...or maybe it's the "Plus" package...has a sound transfer program. I'm not at the Windows machine right now, but I've moved dozens of LP's and tapes to CD that way.

For tape you just rn an output from a cassette player to the soundcard input; for LP's you need an RIAA preamp to boost the signal from yor turntable's cartridge output - Radio Shack sells a cheap, small one (3"x3") for 20 bucks or so that works perfectly.

John Lockney · Post by **John Lockney** » 4 Jun 2006 10:24 am

They also make a cassette-player that installs in your computer for this type of thing:
http://www.plusdeck.co.uk/aspbite/categories/index.asp?tim=19:28:21

The "mic" input on your sound-card might be OK for spoken-word but, you could find that you need a better sound-card to transfer music with acceptable quality. It might depend on whether you want to make MP3 or full CD-quality.

[This message was edited by John Lockney on 04 June 2006 at 11:28 AM.]

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 4 Jun 2006 10:26 am

I run a tape to a line in on the computer. Works good. But I am looking for a dual Cassette recorder/ player with a mic input, to do some songs...al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

richard burton · Post by **richard burton** » 4 Jun 2006 9:18 pm

Al,
Why not tape direct to the computer, using the Audacity recorder?

Further to what Jim says about recording off vinyl, I've had some success using my old Portastudio 4 track cassette recorder to boost the signal.

(No I don't use it to put the music onto tape!!)

I just plug the left and right outputs from the record player to the inputs on the Portastudio, and the outputs from the Portastudio to the computer input.

It also allows me to boost the signal, shape the tone slightly, and maintain the stereo tracks.

Dean Dobbins · Post by **Dean Dobbins** » 5 Jun 2006 4:23 am

I have a Pioneer CD digital recorder, and dual casset deck with the recording deck having a pitch adjustment, pacthed through the auxillary inputs my stereo system.I can make CDs from anything in the system,(turntable, VCR audio, tuner, etc.). The only drawback is, sometimes there is not enough time between songs on the casset to allow the auto tracking mode to separate some tracks on the CD.

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Dino

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 5 Jun 2006 5:53 am

Thanks for all the good info--but my computer is oriented in my office and not really as handy as it should be for using it for the above. Is there not some kind of "stand alone" machine available that will dub audio cassettes to cds ?? Thanks again.

Dennis Wallis · Post by **Dennis Wallis** » 5 Jun 2006 2:04 pm

Here's what I have......an RCA CDRW120 CD recorder. I have my dual cassette deck (which is also a recorder) hooked to it. This way I can put tapes onto CD or CD onto tape. You have to use MUSIC CD's but that's no big deal. After you make a CD you can RIP the files off onto your computer and make copies if you want to. It works great. Also if there's not enough time bewteen tracks on the tape it has a manual mode so you can make the individual tracks. I doubt if they make this model anymore but you can still find them. Worth the money. You can put almost ANY signal onto CD with this machine. EVEN LIVE !!

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 6 Jun 2006 2:34 am

Thanks Dennis---I'll check into that . I also have heard there is some kind of a little portable unit that will plug into the car somehow so the CD player can play a cassette tape, but I may have it backwards.

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 6 Jun 2006 5:43 am

Bill, You could probably find a used computer for less than $100 that would run the recording program you need to transfer tapes. You can buy new CD burners for the computer for $30.

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www.home.earthlink.net/~johnd37

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 6 Jun 2006 12:04 pm

I have a Phillips CDR-870 standalone unit. Combination CD player recorder. It "DEMANDS" you use "music" cd's. Works OK off the mixer output, but, tape hiss will keep it from advancing to the next track number.

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 7 Jun 2006 1:15 am

Well if I understand correctly, a cd will barely hold a 45 minute audio sermon anyway, right ? I'm dumb about this stuff for sure !! And of coarse, our car cd player needs to play it also.

Pee Wee Rogers · Post by **Pee Wee Rogers** » 7 Jun 2006 4:12 am

I use a Sony RCD-W500C CD recorder.

The way I connect it to the Stereo is through the earphone jack. . . so what ever is on the speakers goes on the CD.

It requires that you use Music-R CD's and each one holds 80 minutes.

Almost enough for two sermons or one sermon with comments.

I have recorded from the Radio, Turntable,
CD player and Tape player and the quality is great as you would expect from Sony.

I also have a VCR hooked up to my Stereo
because we do the Opry Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.I record the whole thing on VCR EP and then play it back in real time to CD.

The quality seems to me better in real time.

Hope this helps. . .Pee Wee Rogers

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 9 Jun 2006 8:32 am

Thanks to all for your info and help. Pee Wee I ordered the same unit you have today. I think it fits my situation the best and thanks so much !!! Bill.

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 10 Jun 2006 6:14 am

http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,117810,00.asp

Good article about ripping vinyl to CD. Also explains the RIAA preamp needed for a turntable. Most of the article would apply to tapes as well

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 12 Jun 2006 3:03 am

Hey Ken--Good to hear from you !! Thanks for the upgrade on my profex II at Dallas and for locating my dobro programing next to my Hughey one that I use almost exclusively. It's sure a lot handier now !!

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 13 Jun 2006 4:21 am

There were a few combination cassette/CDR machines made in the 90's. I borrowed one from a buddy to tranfer a few things, but his is long gone and we can't recall the maker...but for some reason I keep thinking it was under the Teac name.