Problem with either cassette deck or settings...

[DigBick85]

Hi all,
I do not mind admitting that when it comes to technology I struggle like a bug on the back.
I simply am trying to transfer old music cassettes onto my pc using audacity.
I've connected my cassette deck to my computer with a brand new rca cable (which arrived in the post this morning!)
but when I then record in audacity all I see is a flat blue line. It's obviously not receiving a signal.
I've used audacity recently to record from online radio, so I know my audacity works.

I believe the problem is either my cassette deck or Iam not getting the right audacity settings.
My cassette deck has two jacks, red and white. However they are marked as video/AUX in and are described as "input terminals"
Perhaps this is the problem as all I read about online are "OUTput terminals"

Could someone let me know if I need a new cassette deck! (Hope not!)

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated as I find this extremely frustrating when I only want to get to work with these cassettes.

[kozikowski]

Oh, it's much worse than that.

You want to apply the sound signals that the cassette machine will not supply to you to the computer that won't accept them even if you had them.

Let's start with the computer. Do you have a large deskside machine with a good sound card that has a blue connector labeled Line-In? I know you don't have a Mac, right? Those are the only two types of machines that will accept a powerful stereo sound signal. PC Laptops need not apply. They usually only have delicate, sensitive mono microphone connections.

You can get around this with any of the USB Sound Cards we reviewed....

http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=9477

And yes, you do need a cassette machine that has either Stereo Line-Out or headphones. Headphones are good.

Koz

[DigBick85]

Hello,
Iam using a pc not a mac.
Iam not entirely sure whether it is a soundcard issue as I received a signal once while trying to record but when I played the recording back it was very very quiet. Also, with certain settings I am able to record but the playback is always ruined by echo.

How can I know what soundcard I have? Do I have to open the computer or will my control panel tell me?

My stereo system does have a headphones option! What is the name of the cable I will need then to connect the headphones part jack to the computer?

Many thanks for all your help!

[steve]

If your computer has "Line input" it is usually marked with concentric circles with an arrow pointing to the centre (a bit like an arrow in a target).
(concentric circles with an arrow pointing out is the line output). These markings are usually very difficult to see without good light, so if the connections are on the back of the computer then you will probably need to move it, or use a good torch. If it is a laptop then it probably does not have line inputs.

Most modern computers have pretty poor sound cards as standard, so even if you have a line input it may still be worth adding a USB sound card. You can get USB sound cards with line level inputs that have "phono" (RCA" sockets) the same as hi-fi systems, which makes connecting up a cassette (or CD or other) player very easy with standard hi-fi cables.

Ideally you should use a cassette deck that has Line-out sockets. Most cassette deck "separates" (this sort of thing http://www.teac.com/consumer_electronic ... tte_decks/ ) have line-in and line-out connections on the back. You can use a headphone socket if there is no alternative, but keep the headphone level down - this is far from ideal, but should work, though the sound quality may suffer as the output does not match the input type.

[steve]

My cassette deck has two jacks, red and white. However they are marked as video/AUX in and are described as "input terminals"

Is this a portable cassette player?
They do exist, but it is hard to find portable cassette players that have line-out - most don't have it.

[DigBick85]

No, it's not portable.
It's a huge stereo system. The ports that I have been trying to use are the ports that the turntable plugs into.

Can anyone tell me the name of the cable that I need to connect the headphone jack to the soundboard? I will tryi that option first before considering buying a new soundcard.

Many thanks,

[kozikowski]

This should plug into your headphone connector...

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2102667

It doesn't have to be gold... And then you plug one of these into that and extend over to your computer.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2102949

<<<Iam using a pc not a mac.>>>

You almost told us whether you have a laptop. It's important.

Koz

[DigBick85]

sorry about that !
No, it's not a laptop.

Thanks for all your help guys! Maybe I should just upgrade my sound card anyway!
All the best!