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Thread ID: 44516 2004-04-21 10:49:00 transfering Audio from Cassette tapes hp4200 (4026) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
230981 2004-04-21 10:49:00 Hi
Could anyone tell me how to transfer songs from Cassette tapes to computer?
I am using a laptop. The sound card does not have a line-in socket.
hp4200 (4026)
230982 2004-04-21 11:38:00 you say no line in, how about a micophone socket, that will allow a audio input for recording. I have done it on a desktop, so I believe there is no reason why it should not work on a laptop

Good luck
beama (111)
230983 2004-04-21 11:53:00 Yes- there is a mic. input. I will give it a try.
Cheers
hp4200 (4026)
230984 2004-04-21 23:30:00 Using the mic-input will cause serious distortion. You will need what is called an "attenuator" to reduce the audio level down to one suitable for Mic input. Godfather or Graham L will be able to help you in more detail regarding this.

Of course it doesn't hurt to try, but when you do, make sure the volume from your cassette player is turned very very low.
somebody (208)
230985 2004-04-22 01:54:00 As Somebody says, the line audio levels are far too high for the mic input.

It's also advisable to check the mic socket connections of your soundcard.

I use the SB live card, & on this & many other cards, the mic socket connections are very different from the line input socket. i.e.

The line input socket is a stereo input, connecting the L & R channels to the tip & ring of the 3.5mm stereo plug.

The mic socket is a monaural input, connecting the mono mic audio to the tip of the 3.5mm plug. But the ring of that plug provides a small DC voltage from the soundcard, to operate the typical pc electret mics.

If these connections are the same on your soundcard, you'll see the problems. Only a monaural input, the need for an attenuator, and the possibility of feeding the DC voltage to your casette player.

Goodluck, if you decide to proceed.
Bazza (407)
230986 2004-04-22 06:37:00 no you wont need an 'attenuator' all you need to do is to reduce the input level in the microphone properties.......that'll work fine..I've recorded heaps of stuff from my tape walkman to the puter by doing that.....it's just that the mic socket has a pre-amp and you got to make sure the input level is LOW........try it and see.....you mayber will need some program later to remove the tape 'hiss' and other extra noises tho... drcspy (146)
230987 2004-04-22 07:46:00 It can be done, but there will still be problems. Using an attenuator will be much more likely to remove issues such as distortion and equipment damage than simply turning the input level down low.

There is a significant voltage difference between line and mic input levels (from 0.5-2v - Line level, to several millivolts - Mic level). The excess voltage can cause damage to some equipment as it simply isn't designed to take so much power. Whether or not damage is caused, the excess signal strength will cause the preamp in the mic input to clip, and therefore cause severe distortion.

www.hut.fi is a site with a very basic attenuator circuit.
somebody (208)
230988 2004-04-22 12:29:00 Thats good information Somebody, Spot on .

But for HP4200's information, if he is handy with a soldering iron, after constructing the attenuator, can you advise how he will connect the L + R stereo audio from the casette player, via the attenuator to the soundcard monaural mic input?

More soldering needed I guess .
Bazza (407)
230989 2004-04-22 13:13:00 Grateful for replies from Bazza/Somebody/Drcspy. Tks. folks.
Could I use a external USB soundcard with Line-in/Line-out sockets?
Soundblaster has an external card with digital output. Has anyone tried this card?
hp4200 (4026)
230990 2004-04-22 21:41:00 Using an external soundcard with Line-in would be the simplest solution, and also allow you to record the audio in Stereo.

If you can borrow one from a friend, colleague etc. it will save you the expense of buying one ($100+)
somebody (208)
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