I have read other threads and acted on it, but still cant resolve my prob. Please help me. I am trying to record a cassata onto Audacity but the recording speed is way too fast. I have tried adjusting the speed but that distorts the recording and even then the speed is not at what I want. What should I do to resolve this? Thanks so much.
You didn’t tell us anything about your system, but if your show plays too fast, that usually means it was recording too slow. That usually means the machine could not keep up with the work.
Restart the machine and don’t open up any other applications. Open Audacity, try a transfer and see if it works better. If the speed problem is less but still not normal, you may not be able to do sound transfers with your machine.
Sound production is hard on a computer. When you write a letter or do calculations, the computer has a chance to stop and do its work. Sound production demands all the work be done right now in real time. Not all computers can do that.
Koz
I am sorry I was not fully clear. I am using my laptop with windows 7 and a stereo player which is a tape/CD but without the option of recording a cd.
I am using my laptop with windows 7 and a stereo player which is a tape/CD but without the option of recording a cd.
So it plays-back too fast, right? You’re not having any speed problems with the computer or Audacity, you’re just having problems using Audacity to fix the speed problem, right?
Have you tried a different tape? It would help to know if the problem is the tape or the machine. It might help if you try a CD too.
Where did this tape come from? All standard cassettes are recorded at 1-7/8th inches-per-second. There were PortaStudio machines that recorded cassettes at double-speed.
If we are not getting anywhere, it might also be helpful if you can [u]upload/attach[/u] a short sample of the audio.
I have tried adjusting the speed but that distorts the recording
Effect → Change Speed will not distort the sound. It’s exactly the same as speeding-up or slowing-down an analog record or tape, with the speed and pitch changing together.
…and even then the speed is not at what I want.
You’ll just have to experiment to find the right speed. There’s no way for the computer to figure-out how far the speed is off… You’ll have to use your ears and adjust it 'till you are satisfied.
If the speed is not constant, that could be a problem with no solution. (There is software to correct wow & flutter, but it costs about $5000.)
If the sound is distorted, that may be a different problem, or the tape, or tape player, may have multiple problems.
And, the mic-input on a laptop is too sensitive for the line-level output (or headphone output) on a CD player. If you are connected to the mic input on your computer, you’ll usually get poor quality, and mono.
If you have an analog connection (I assume the CD/tape player doesn’t have a USB port) you need to use a desktop computer with a regular soundcard and line-input, or an interface like the [u]BehringerUCA202[/u]. (Don’t buy a regular “USB Soundcard” because they are like laptops with only mic-in and headphone-out.)
Thank you for the succinct response, DVDdoug. Much appreciated.
I have now tried a different pre-recorded tape and a CD, but have the same problem. My original tape was recorded from an LP album. The speed is constant and I also have background noise. I am going to try the other suggestions you have given me. Thanks.
I also have background noise.
You may have more than one problem. Lucky you.
If you can hear your refrigerator or your breathing or sneezing or traffic noises in the recording, then you’re probably not recording the cassette or CD. You may be recording the built-in microphone designed to do live conferencing or Skype.
Make a short test recording and clap your hands. Can you hear the clap in the recording?
I’ll let the Windows elves go from here.
Koz