super usb cassette capture machine

Special Interest Groups Recording Equipment
1

I am not too sure if this is the correct place to raise a problem with a cassette capture device, but as the device must be known and used by many users of the site, and being a bit of a green, I must start somewhere.

I personally possess four of these devices and over a period of a few weeks use, all in one form or another have suffered with the same problem, which appears as an intermittent instant reset loop. By which, I mean the end of tape trigger that allows the automatic replaying of the other half of the tape. When misbehaving, any playing tape, no matter what kind or size, no sooner starts to play (to be recorded), when the end of tape trigger is activated and the tape is thus rejected, even before any data had been transferred from tape to computer.

I say intermittent, because after a various number of fast forward and then rewinds of the installed actual (to be recorded) cassette, a truce appears and finally recording can proceed (as normal) with any luck. I am certain that this intermittent (air trigger) action of a standard, and well known device is not limited to myself alone, I therefore ask if any other sufferers are experiencing the same problems and if a solution is available.

The equipment is the standard ‘SUPER USB CASSETTE CAPTURE’ in the Sony walkman size box.

All I can say is HELP.

Tom Hunter

2

Perhaps this is relevant: https://forum.audacityteam.org/t/usb-recording/64426/4

3

It will cost you more but you can buy full-size [u]full-size cassette deck[/u] with or without USB. They are getting rare… Nobody makes VHS machines anymore and soon it may be the same will cassette decks…

If you have a desktop computer with a “regular soundcard” you can use the line input and you don’t need USB. Most laptops only have mono microphone-in so you’d need a USB audio interface with line inputs. The [u]Behringer UCA202[/u] is popular and inexpensive. The “weakness” of the Behringer is that it doesn’t have a recording-level control and it’s analog-to-digital converter can clip (distort) if the signal is too strong (that doesn’t seem to be a common problem for most users).

Or There are lots of higher-end audio interfaces with switchable mic/line inputs. Most of these have XLR and 1/4-inch TS/TRS jacks so you’d need the right adapter cables.

Don’t buy a regular-little USB soundcard. They are like laptops with mic-in and headphone-out.