Track is too Fast

Audacity Help Forum Windows
1

I got a Super USB Cassette Capture device. Audacity was the software that came recommended with it. I grabbed a random tape, pushed a few buttons, and recorded my first track with no problems. I saved it as a stand alone project since I wasn’t ready to dive into splitting tracks and such. Closed and relaunched. Ready for the second track and now it plays like Minnie Mouse is singing. I tried a different spot on the tape and also a different tape and had the same problem. I’ve looked around and tried adjusting the Hertz and a few other things recommended but it didn’t help. I’m hoping it is something simple with a combination of me not knowing what I’m doing. I’ve got a mountain of tapes I want to convert to MP3s to listen on my iPod since I no longer have a working tape deck (other than this USB device I just got.)

2

I am using 2.0.3. Initially I used a CD to install an older version. That’s the one I was able to make one good recording in. Then it switched to Minnie Mouse. So I upgraded to 2.0.3. Restarted the computer. Got Minnie Mouse right away.

3

Can you hear the tape while you are playing/recording it? Does it sound “Minnie Mouse” while you are playing/recording the tape?

4

Yes, I can hear it and yes it sounds Minnie Mouseish.
Once when I was changing some settings according to similar posts I had read, I couldn’t hear it but I could see the lines going by very fast so I assume it was the same.

5

If the sound is too fast during the recording, then the problem has nothing to do with settings on the computer. Most probably the tape is slipping through the capstan/pinch wheel inside the cassette player. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tape_transport#Capstan) That could be caused by a build up of dust from an old tape on the capstan and pinch roller, or it could be a fault with the player. If caused by a build up of dust, it will require cleaning. There are a variety of cleaning kits that are commercially available from less than $10. If the player was new and you suspect that it is a fault rather than just due to dust you may need to claim on the warranty.