Converting live cassette recordings to CDs

[Rhythmitch]

I'm new to this process. What is the best method to convert live analog cassette recordings to CD? By method, I assume that I will need software to actually convert the songs from the cassettes to .wav files then convert the .wav files to a format to burn on CDs. I have a soundcard and an internal CD burner on my PC but my PC is only a 200 MHz, 64K RAM, MMX/Pentium II running Windows 98.

[Rhythmitch]

I'm considering purchasing Cakewalk Pyro 1.5 software to do what I'm looking to do. Does anyone know that package?

[makai]

if you just want to try out some different audio apps to see what you like, try this site.
http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/

[Rhythmitch]

makai,
Have you any experience in coverting analog cassette to CDR with Windows apps? If so, please comment.

[Styrerra]

And you need to tell what software and hardware you have.

All you need is burning software. The conversion is wav to cda. I will assume you have a tape deck, pick up an audio cable that comes from your tape deck to your sound card. Choose 'line in' as recording source. (I'm not sure where you started and tried so far)

I'm not sure this is the best way, but since all I needed was an audio cable this is how I've done it.


You can get some free\demo converters at CNET.com.


------------------
Studio: 505 - ER1 - Cubase 5r7 - SB card (w APS drivers =8ms)
Win 98se - 600mhz - 512mbr - Advance 5/133E mobo - Via chipset (w 4in1 fix)

[makai]

Rythmitch,
Yes I have done transfers from cassette and vinyl for pay and recreation.

I use a standard casstte deck, with the output going into my soundcard (midiman 2044)You will need appropriate cables, adapters, etc.
This connection is a line level connection.

For software I use Sound Forge (thier XP version is really cheap or free cant remember, just lacks some of the nicer features)

You open the record dialog in soundforge etc)and make sure the monitor funtion is checked. You should be getting about -6db reading if its a quality recording or commercial release & you will need to use a preamp if recording vinyl (turntable) just as you would use with a stereo if you are doing vinyl.

I generally record the entire side of an album or cassette and then use the soundforge process called "auto region" whichs seeks out silence between the songs and marks them. You can then use the "extract regions" and seperate into tracks.

I usually use the noise reduction feature to remove the overall hiss inherent in tapes and then use the mute funtion on the beginings and ends to make the silence really be silence.

In older versions they had CD Architect (an add on) which allowed you to layout your CD in the order you want and set overall and individual volumes, fades and crossfades and then burn to standard audio CD (Redbook audio)

In version 5 the CD architect seems to have been replaced by something like burn at once, which I have not experimented with at all.

Hope this helps, feel free to email if you have more questions. I dont make it to this board to often.

Makai