How to Convert Audio Cassette Tapes Onto a Computer

Converting audio cassette tapes onto a computer involves transforming the analog audio signal from the tape into a digital signal that can be played and saved on your computer, or burned to a CD if desired. This requires an analog-to-digital converter box, available at electronics stores, and standard connecting cables. Converting your old cassette tapes into the digital realm makes a great rainy-day project that will breathe new life into your old music collection and allow you to create longer-lasting copies of important audio recordings such as interviews and speeches.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Cassette deck
• Analog-to-digital converter
• USB cable
• RCA-type audio cables

1. Plug the RCA audio cables into the Audio Output or Playback jacks on the back of the tape deck, using the white plug for the left audio channel and the red plug for the right channel.

2. Connect the other ends of the audio cables to the corresponding jacks on the analog-to-digital converter.

3. Connect one end of the USB cable to the USB port on the analog-to-digital converter and the other end to a free USB port on your computer.

4. Wait for the New Hardware Detected message to display on your monitor, indicating the computer recognizes and is ready to work with the converter.

5. Create a folder on your computer to store the audio file you will convert from the cassette tape by opening the My Music folder on your system, clicking New and choosing Create New Folder.

6. Create a name for the folder to store your cassette tape conversion.

7. Launch the software your computer uses for managing audio files and click on the Line In option.

8. Click the Record button on your audio software.

9. Load a cassette in the tape deck and press Play.

10. Click Stop on your computer audio software to finish recording the converted tape file.

11. Save the converted file in the music folder you created on the computer. You can listen to the file using the computer's audio software, such as Windows Media Player, or you can open the file and select individual tracks to burn onto a CD.

References

• Converting audio cassettes to a computer file