Digitising an old cassette tape?

[Big Stevie]

Can anyone explain the best way of copying over an audio cassette to my MacBook M1 please?

Does the M1 have a microphone port? I can only see on circular port and I assumed that was for headphones?

Would I need an app to convert the audio?

Thanks.

 

[makinao]

Tape deck > audio interface > computer > audio recorder/editor app (like Audacity).

 

[Big Stevie]

Thanks, do you know if the usb-c ports on my MacBook act as an 'audio in' or mic? Does the circular port on my M1 act as both mic and headphone?

 

[BrianBaughn]

Thanks, do you know if the usb-c ports on my MacBook act as an 'audio in' or mic? Does the circular port on my M1 act as both mic and headphone?

No and no.

You will need a USB audio adapter with both IN and OUT ports. I haven't seen an inexpensive USB-C equipped device like that but there are plenty USB-A models you can use with an adapter or hub…such as this one:

UGREEN USB to Audio Jack Sound Card Adapter with Dual TRS 3-Pole Headphone and Microphone USB to Aux 3.5mm External Audio Converter for Windows Mac Linux PC Laptops Desktops PS5 Headsets Black

Overview Ugreen USB Audio Adapter includes a stereo headphone output jack and a mono microphone input jack. It can bypass the defective sound card or the faulty 3.5mm audio port of your laptop/desktop system and regain the audio function for you. Save the cost of replacing a failed sound card. Me...

www.amazon.com

 

[Big Stevie]

No and no.

You will need a USB audio adapter with both IN and OUT ports. I haven't seen an inexpensive USB-C equipped device like that but there are plenty USB-A models you can use with an adapter or hub…such as this one:

UGREEN USB to Audio Jack Sound Card Adapter with Dual TRS 3-Pole Headphone and Microphone USB to Aux 3.5mm External Audio Converter for Windows Mac Linux PC Laptops Desktops PS5 Headsets Black

Overview Ugreen USB Audio Adapter includes a stereo headphone output jack and a mono microphone input jack. It can bypass the defective sound card or the faulty 3.5mm audio port of your laptop/desktop system and regain the audio function for you. Save the cost of replacing a failed sound card. Me...

www.amazon.com

Thank you.

I'm guessing doing the following should work..

3.5mm mic cable plugged into the cassette players headphone port, and the other end plugged into a USB audio adapter such as the one below (UK), and then run an app such as Audacity?

Or....some research suggests I could buy one of these cassette players that accepts a USB drive to record directly onto...

 

[dwig]

Thank you.

I'm guessing doing the following should work..

3.5mm mic cable plugged into the cassette players headphone port, and the other end plugged into a USB audio adapter such as the one below (UK), and then run an app such as Audacity?

View attachment 1980563



Or....some research suggests I could buy one of these cassette players that accepts a USB drive to record directly onto...

View attachment 1980580

View attachment 1980581

I can't comment on the MYPIN device, but the UGREEN interface is not likely what you want. It has only mono microphone input. It is stereo only for output.

Something like this Pyle mixer would provide AUX level stereo input: https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-2-Chann...8c440b&pd_rd_wg=4t6Mu&pd_rd_i=B003CY6OHY&th=1

 

[BrianBaughn]

I agree that you should find something with a stereo input.

 

[Big Stevie]

The cassette content I want to transfer contains a radio interview with a relative many years ago, which I want to preserve. Would stereo still be required for this?

 

[BrianBaughn]

The cassette content I want to transfer contains a radio interview with a relative many years ago, which I want to preserve. Would stereo still be required for this?

Maybe! Even if the cassette was recorded in mono the audio signal may be stronger on one side of the tape than the other. If you have a stereo playback machine you can pick the Right or Left output for your computer recording depending on which sounds better. I've experienced this myself. One side loud and clear and the other side muffled and lots of hiss.

 

[makinao]

Do you have a cassette tape player? What type is it? A deck with RCA plugs? Or a portable with 1/8" stereo headphone outputs?

 

[Big Stevie]

Do you have a cassette tape player? What type is it? A deck with RCA plugs? Or a portable with 1/8" stereo headphone outputs?

No, I don't own one, but I will be buying one for this purpose. Which connections would be preferable?

 

[dwig]

No, I don't own one, but I will be buying one for this purpose. Which connections would be preferable?

It depends on what audio interface you end up with.

The best combo would be a cassette deck with stereo AUX level outputs and an audio interface that has AUX level stereo inputs.

 

[makinao]

The cassette content I want to transfer contains a radio interview with a relative many years ago, which I want to preserve. Would stereo still be required for this?

If this is all you want to transfer, the Mypin might work. But if you're transferring A LOT of tapes and want better audio quality, you'll need:

1) Tape deck with RCA-type line-level outputs like this https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Cassett...ords=cassette+tape+deck&qid=1648308377&sr=8-3

2) a couple of these to RCA to 1/4" plug them into #3 https://www.amazon.com/VCE-6-Pack-6...=1648308529&sprefix=rca+to+1/4,aps,393&sr=8-3

2) USB audio interface like a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QR73T66?tag=homestudior0d-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1

 

[BrianBaughn]

The cheapest USB audio interface with stereo input I've seen is one of these:

Behringer U-CONTROL UCA202 Ultra-Low Latency 2 In/2 Out USB/Audio Interface with Digital Output

" BEHRINGER U-CONTROL UCA202 Ultra-Low Latency 2 In/2 Out USB/Audio Interface with Digital Output Ultra-flexible audio interface connects your instruments, mixer, etc. with your computer for recording and playback High-resolution 48 kHz converters for high-end audio quality Works with your PC or ...

www.amazon.com

It has RCA plugs (left and right) for both input and output. If your cassette player has a stereo 3.5mm (1/8") jack you'd just need something like this: