Audacity Forum

This is my first experience with Audacity. I am attempting to convert an audio cassette into an MP3 file using audacity. The beginning of the recording sounds fine and all proceeds smoothly. after finishing the first side of the tape, I check the recording and find out that although the beginning (first 5 minutes or so) sound fine, the end of the recording has a great deal of noise and distortion. I tried to lower the volume on my cassette player with no success. I am using a Sony Walkman Audio Cassette recorder. When I play the tapes normally, there is no distortion.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Chuck

You left out two important bits. Which Mac and how old, and how did you connect the two -- in detail.

Koz

I am using an iMac (2011) with OS X Mavericks. I connected my walkman to computer with 3.5mm audio plugs.

What happens if you just record five minutes then stop?


Gale

So you have connections like this and you went into the circle with two black arrows?

http://www.kozco.com/tech/audacity/pix/MacLineIn.jpg

Koz

Gale Andrews wrote:What happens if you just record five minutes then stop?


Gale

Gale,
5minutes produces a nice, noise free recording. The problem occurs about 3/4 thru the tape.

kozikowski wrote:So you have connections like this and you went into the circle with two black arrows?

http://www.kozco.com/tech/audacity/pix/MacLineIn.jpg

Koz

Koz,
Yes exactly.

Could it be an accident - perhaps either end of the cable became loose?


Gale

There is no standard error that can cause this. That's why we're giving you the blank look. There are certainly settings that can cause distortion like this, but they only work with the built-in microphone and quickly after a couple of seconds.

Koz