digitizing cassettes

[memphismac]

I know there are a few older threads on this topic, but the products reference in those are out of stock or out of date, so I'm hoping for some new advice.

I have a large collection of live shows from various bands that I would like to digitize using 2017 iMac (it's my backup machine). I did this 7-10 years ago on an older iMac (maybe a G5?), but I'm running into roadblocks now.

- I purchased an RCA/USB-C, but the iMac doesn't recognize any sound coming from it - I assume this is because it's analog sound coming through a digital port?
- I've read that the audio jack can function as input device, but none of the audio cables I have are recognized. (would a TRSS cable work?)
- I've seen references to Behringer products, but I can't find any in stock from the typical retailers. And even the ones I can find look like USB-A devices, and I want this to work with by my old iMac and my new one (which of course, is all USB-C)

Could I connect the RCA->3.5mm cable to the iMac with this?

Buy USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter

The USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter lets you connect a standard 3.5 mm audio plug to your USB-C devices. Perfect for headphones or speakers.

www.apple.com

If you've got any product recommendations, I'd love to hear them.
And if you can explain how I could do this from 2015-2019 on my older machine, that would help my sanity.
(is it because the old G5's had an analog input?)

Thanks,
Brian

 

[uacd]

- I've seen references to Behringer products, but I can't find any in stock from the typical retailers. And even the ones I can find look like USB-A devices, and I want this to work with by my old iMac and my new one (which of course, is all USB-C)

Behringer UCA222/UCA202 will work just fine via usb-a to usb-c generic adapter. This is how I use mine btw, recorded some live synths with that thing. My Mac is MacBook M1 Air. You gotta find that interface since it is nearly dirt cheap and works with anything - even new iPhones, iPads or Android devices. I guess it even worked with my Lightning iPad via camera connection kit, works with my iMac 2012 too. Quality is decent, will work like a champ for cassettes

 

[MajorFubar]

Best if I tackle these questions one by one in separate quotes which is going to look messy as a reply but will be easier to understand.

- I purchased an RCA/USB-C, but the iMac doesn't recognize any sound coming from it - I assume this is because it's analog sound coming through a digital port?

No. It's either broken or it's only designed as an output not an input. You need an input.

- I've read that the audio jack can function as input device, but none of the audio cables I have are recognized. (would a TRSS cable work?)

No. At the absolute most it might be able to be used as a microphone jack. It's not appropriate for connecting to line-level outputs...speaking of which you haven't mentioned what cassette player or deck you intend to use as a source. Giving us this info would be very helpful.

- I've seen references to Behringer products, but I can't find any in stock from the typical retailers. And even the ones I can find look like USB-A devices, and I want this to work with by my old iMac and my new one (which of course, is all USB-C)

Yeah this harks back to my argument that many of us still have a practical use for USB-A sockets, because many new devices still use them, including a million-and-one thumb-sticks, and, contextually-relevant, many audio interfaces, especially those at the 'affordable' end, which is what I would absolutely encourage you to buy rather than try to make one of those awful RCA-to-USB devices actually work. But I get told to 'get with the times grandad' by people who buy $2000+ Macs just to play on the internet or who in any case have no requirement to connect their computers to anything that isn't USB-C. Bully for them.

Could I connect the RCA->3.5mm cable to the iMac with this?

Buy USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter

The USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter lets you connect a standard 3.5 mm audio plug to your USB-C devices. Perfect for headphones or speakers.

www.apple.com

No that's to provide a headphone socket on iPads and iPhones which don't have headphone sockets. It will not work as an input.

----------------

The cheapest option worth buying is a Behringer UCA222/202. I don't know your typical retailers but there's dozens for sale online. It will work on every machine you own, but you will need a USB-A to USB-C convertor cable to use it on your modern computer which stupidly doesn't have a USB-A socket.

EDIT: Also like I said earlier please tell us what device you are using to play cassettes. It will need RCA outputs to connect directly to the Behringer. At a push you could use a cassette player's headphone socket but you will get a lot of noise and you will easily overload the input of the audio interface, leading to distortion.