Taking you through the basic steps of setting up your PC and audio equipment in readiness for converting your old cassette tapes into CD's or MP3's

GETTING STARTED

Analogue source: Tape player, amplifier (for radio, turntable etc..)

There are generally two types of output that we can make use of: Phono (sometimes called 'crown' or RCA) outputs (Fig 1. & 2.) or a stereo headphone output (standard or mini) Fig 3. & 4.

These outputs require a cable to connect to the soundcard in your PC. Most desktop/tower PC's will have a soundcard interface something like the illustrations (Fig 7. or 8.). If you don't have this interface (eg. laptop with just a headphone output and a mono microphone input, you will need to use a USB interface.

Get an appropriate cable from an audio/electrical component retailer to connect the output of your analogue source to the auxiliary input of your soundcard (Fig 5.). In most cases, the cable can be made up from the components illustrated (Fig. 6). This arrangement can cope with either phono outputs or a headphone output except where you are trying to connect a turntable directly to your soundcard. Most standard turntables require amplification via a pre-amp. If you need to connect a turntable either connect it to an amplifier with an appropriate output or get a purpose-built pre-amp.

So now we are ready to connect our analogue source to our PC....

At this point, I am going to assume that you have speakers/headphones connected to your soundcard output. Headphones are not as good when it comes to editing the sound because they give a false impression how the recording will sound when it is played through conventional speakers (any sound engineer will tell you this, most found out the hard way!). Technically, it is possible to complete the conversion without an audible output, the job is going to be far easier if you can listen at each stage of the process. NOTE: the headphone output of your CDROM drive will not suffice, as this does not give you access to all the channels on your soundcard.

Your next task is to get the analogue signal to play through your PC speakers via your soundcard. Start your tape/record etc.. and open up your PC volume control (usually a speaker icon on bottom right of your taskbar - Windows) If this only shows a single volume control, try double-clicking the icon to get a 'mixer' panel, or (Windows) START, All programs, accessories, entertainment, volume control.

Adjust the settings until you can establish which 'channel' is being used for your analogue signal - if it sounds distorted through your speakers, you should check the following:

1. Connection to PC soundcard is via 'Line In' not 'MIC', try swapping it round if you are not sure. (Where colour coding is used, the 'Line In' should be blue)

2. If you are using an adjustable headphone output, try lowering the volume.

If you get no sound check the following:

1. Check that your tape/amp etc. is working OK.

2. Check that the cables are connected properly.

3. Check 'options' in your volume control mixer to see if you need to select your soundcard from a drop-down list.

Once you have established a steady signal and adjusted volumes accordingly, you are ready for the next stage. Balance up the volumes on an adjustable output with the fader on the volume control mixer to ensure the best quality sound. Any audible interference or distortion will adversely affect your recording.

OK, now we are ready for STEP TWO

Fig 1. Phono outputs

Fig 2. Connecting phono outputs

Fig 3. Headphone output (cassette)

Fig 4. Headphone output (amplifier)

Fig 5. Stereo cable (complete)

Fig 6. Stereo cable (components)

Fig 7. Example inputs

Fig 8. Completing the connections (alternative soundcard type)