beginner needs help please

[aud409]

hello
new to audacity, just downloaded 2.3.3 for windows 10
i watched many tutorials and read many articles but i am still stuck and frustrated

particulars
>objective - trying to record old cassette tapes to audacity before they disintegrate

>using windows 10 on a newer dell laptop with only one combo headphone/mic jack

>equipment being used is an old stand alone tape deck, cable used is white/red RCA out from tape deck reduced to
a single 3.5mm 3 ring which plugs into the MIC jack of the specific "Y" adapter made for these single
headphone/microphone combo ports. (4 segment 3.5mm male plug into computer port with 2 female legs, one for mic and one for headphones)

i have experimented with all the windows settings, apparently the interface is "realtek"
and have matched the windows selections with the audacity choices
i tried stereo mix setting (tape deck does not work with audacity)
line in setting (tape deck does not work with audacity)
microphone setting - tape deck does not work with audacity but
built in mic does work with heavy echo/reverberation??

THE STRANGE THING IS THAT THE TAPE DECK METERS DO NOT SHOW ACTIVITY WHEN CONNECTED TO AUDACITY/COMPUTER
BUT WHEN ITS DISCONNECTED FROM THE COMPUTER THE METERS ARE ACTIVE ?

i have been getting conflicting information, some say the single combo port on a laptop is not viable, while others say it is?
any help will be much appreciated.

thanks

[steve]

"Combo ports" are problematic and not generally recommended for recording.

Does your tape deck have an output level control? If it does, then I would recommend getting a Behringer UCA-202 or UCA-222. If it doesn't then one of these cheap Behringer devices "may" work OK, but if your tape deck kicks out a higher than "normal" signal level you could get distortion.

The UCA-202 costs around $30 and I've never for a moment regretted buying one. I've used mine regularly for over 10 years!

[aud409]

My interface is an old-school Hitachi tape deck that does have a record level adjustment
I am willing to try this external device, am I likely to encounter any other pitfall problems that may be a dealbreaker?
Also i note there are a few choices, which model might be the best for my application?

Currently using a Dell laptop with “Realtek”
and windows 10

Thanks

[aud409]

Also forgot to ask will I need any kind of a preamp for this or should the tape deck be OK playing own

[waxcylinder]

I didn't need a pre-amp when I used my Nakamichi BX-2 to transcribe my tapes.

WC