beenwaytoolongatsea

e/p -

get a set up like the one i describe above, if you do not use a mac the only difference is that you have to find recording software for a pc, there have been some other posts with information about that, i think there's a download called "Audacity" which works with pc, if you use a mac i couldn't recommend wiretap highly enough. you will also have to purchase (if you do not already have) an audio interface similar to the one i mentioned above, a firewire box is way the best way to go; if you use your computer's own audio in's you will get a lot of noise, and there are USB interfaces as well but these will also be more noisy than a firewire box, this is my recommendation for the best quality transfers you can make.

you will have to get a pair of special patch cords, one end will be RCA, out from your tape deck, the other end will have to be either 1/4 inch stereo, or XLR (or possibly 1/8 inch stereo), depending on what the audio in's on your interface take. don't skimp on the cords, shitty chords will ruin your recordings, go with Mogami or Monster.

connect your tape deck to the box as described above, connect box to computer, through your firewire port, or USB, depending on which type of audio interface you use (recommend firewire again, costs more but worth it, especially with all those cherry tapes you speak of), figure out how whatever recording software you acquire operates and set up the software, make sure you choose a record option that is NOT compressed, i.e. WAV or AIFF, don't you dare put those tapes into MP3! start sticking your tapes in the deck, hit play, initiate record on your software, and make sure you either have lots of space on your hard drive or burn to cd and delete when done with a show. a single show will take about a gig plus or minus a bit. you will have to configure your computer to recognize and record from the external audio in, on a mac you do this in system prefences/sound/input, on pc don't know, but you must take this step or your computer will not record from the tape source.

if you want your digi copies to be tracked, then you will have to cut the software record after each song, creating an individual file for that song, and then repeat for each song. if you choose to just hit play on your tape deck and record on the software and walk away, that will work too but you will have one single file for the whole tape, and not individual tracks, that's your call. just make sure if you do it the latter way that you don't forget to keep track of the time and stop record when the show is over, or else it will just keep recording dead air until stopped.

you can do it!

lemme know if this works out for you, we want your nice cassettes digitally preserved for all generations to come! and when you're done mebe think about planting us some sweet new seeds on the tree :: >> ))

lost sailor

You are a tech guru! Thanks. I actually printed out your post and am going shopping when I get back home. I am on the road for the next few weeks, but when I get back to FLA I will look into it. I really appreciate it and I will get a list of what I have to you. I have almost all of 1977, easily my favorite year, and most of 1985 and 1986. I will get back to you....now the shoreline beckons.......

...with one bullet, after pausing briefly, slides in several more, pauses again, then loads the weapon completely. "I warned you guys!", he yells into the computer. "Downloads! Firewires! WAVS! FLAC! Third party decoders! I can't take it no more!!!!!"
Life was not always so cruel in GRTUD's world. He could still remember the first compact disk drive he ever saw at the now defunct electronics store, in his neighborhood. The salesman was so full of determination when he declared, "This little baby will make all your dreams come true! Believe me!" GRTUD had often wondered what happened to that guy. What kind of incredible nightmare had he slipped into when he turned on his third laptop computer to find another "window" that no longer "opened" as in the past or application that had become infinitely more difficult to use in order to satisfy the latest anti piracy or monopoly law, essentially creating a monopoly for piracy? Only God could answer those questions now, he thought.
God with answers to humans' questions, what a joke! GRTUD couldn't possibly know how extensive God's GD collection was and how little He cared for the plight of mortals, in those terms. "They deserve Bon Jovi", He was once quoted as saying. Nevertheless, GRTUD was hell bent on giving The Big Boss Man a piece of his mind on the subject, once and for all. Trouble was, GRTUD didn't like pain and the instrument he intended to use as a long distance telephone wasn't exactly a sleeping pill. He hadn't even shot a gun for over 30 years and never a hand gun, in his entire life. After a few tense moments, GRTUD unloaded his gun, into the now malfunctioning PC, which sparked and belched white acrid smoke into the living space. GRTUD walked to the nearest window, opened it, returned to the computer, unplugged it and hurled it out the window in a smooth, athletic motion, like a quarterback pitching out to a speedy minion obeying a previously rehearsed play call. "Now that's what I call, 'wireless'", he mumbled as he shut the window. Without emotion, he opened the dusty cupboard door and retrieved a Yellow Pages book, opened it and muttered, "Apple, eh?"

I'm just gonna' go find a cash machine...

The cow is giving kerosene;
The kid can't read at 17;
The words he knows are all obscene;
But, it's alright.
I will survive!
"We" will get by...ah, I mean, SURVIVE.

The Dude Abides!

THANKS FOR THE JAM>TERRAPIN>PITB!!!! its sweet
its good to have an oasis in a world of playa haters!