PC to Cassette Tape

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goonernz

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#257114 16-Sep-2019 10:03

Hi all,

I hope this is the correct area to post this. I am looking to covert MP3 to Cassette Tape (to make some old style mix tapes). Does anyone have any old portable cassette recorders with Mic input or know of where I can get a well priced device?

Thanks!

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#2318405 16-Sep-2019 10:37

There are a few cassette recorders on Trade Me and they look to be priced around $ 40 - $ 60.

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#2318406 16-Sep-2019 10:44

Modern tape recorders tend to be rubbish. If you want good quality, I suggest looking for a used unit in good condition. You may need to replace the belts.

Techmoan did a video on how cassettes evolved over the years. I think this is the one... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVoSQP2yUYA

outdoorsnz

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#2318429 16-Sep-2019 11:40

SirHumphreyAppleby:

Modern tape recorders tend to be rubbish. If you want good quality, I suggest looking for a used unit in good condition. You may need to replace the belts.

Techmoan did a video on how cassettes evolved over the years. I think this is the one... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVoSQP2yUYA

I bought one of the cheap trademe tape converters. Rubbish quality. Terrible! Also found out from techmoan most new tape deck components are only mono.

Buying a good quality tape deck is the best solution. But they do cost money and may need belts replaced as you go.

If on a budget. I had good results from using a sony micro hifi system. Plug the headphone out into something like digitech USB phono / line in capture device. Then use opensource audio capture software such as audacity. Good guide here:

But there are a few steps involved, and quite a bit work involved to convert. Ask if you need help.

goonernz

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#2318431 16-Sep-2019 11:53

outdoorsnz:If on a budget. I had good results from using a sony micro hifi system. Plug the headphone out into something like digitech USB phono / line in capture device. Then use opensource audio capture software such as audacity. Good guide here:

But there are a few steps involved, and quite a bit work involved to convert. Ask if you need help.

Thanks for the reply. I am looking to go the other way, from PC to Tape rather than Tape to PC.

outdoorsnz

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#2318444 16-Sep-2019 12:01

goonernz:

outdoorsnz:If on a budget. I had good results from using a sony micro hifi system. Plug the headphone out into something like digitech USB phono / line in capture device. Then use opensource audio capture software such as audacity. Good guide here:

But there are a few steps involved, and quite a bit work involved to convert. Ask if you need help.

Thanks for the reply. I am looking to go the other way, from PC to Tape rather than Tape to PC.

Ah sorry about that! Re read. Actually I have used the sony to record to tape for playing in the car. Burned MP3 mix to a cd as the sony can play MP3s.

But the sony also has line in, so would work from your audio source. You might want to look for something that has Dolby noise reduction recording ability. But in my experience, sounded fine in the car.

goonernz

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#2318451 16-Sep-2019 12:31

Problem solved folks.

I've had a look on Trademe and found a range of devices that should do what I need them to do. Thanks for all your feedback

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outdoorsnz

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#2318452 16-Sep-2019 12:36

Out of interest, have you found a source of new blank cassette tapes?

goonernz

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#2318476 16-Sep-2019 13:16

There is a recorder on TM that comes with some blank tapes. Otherwise I will probably just keep looking on future auctions for some. I only need a couple so I am not too concerned about ongoing supply.

Gordy7

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#2318537 16-Sep-2019 14:22

Have you considered a cassette adapter kit that will play a an SDCard in a tape player...

https://www.amazon.com/Promotion-Vintage-Cassette-Adapter-Instruction/dp/B0738GWWR2?tag=geekzone-20

Gordy

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goonernz

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#2318555 16-Sep-2019 14:32

Thanks for the idea Gordy! I didn't even know those existed. I love the idea but would not be suitable for my purpose this time but I will keep it in mind for the future.

Gordy7

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#2318562 16-Sep-2019 14:48

goonernz:
Thanks for the idea Gordy! I didn't even know those existed. I love the idea but would not be suitable for my purpose this time but I will keep it in mind for the future.

I didn't know about this option until a short time ago... just thought I would do a search for a retro solution... It is amazing what modern electronics can be squeezed into something the size of a cassette tape...

Gordy

My first ever AM radio network connection was with a 1MHz AM crystal(OA91) radio receiver.

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jarledb

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#2318586 16-Sep-2019 15:32

And here I was hoping that the tape cassette was dead and buried.

Just the other day one of the few remaining shops that sells CDs, DVDs etc. also started selling tapes again. Including an old cassette player.

I guess the 80s is in vogue again.

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jarledb

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#2318588 16-Sep-2019 15:39

Part of the hate is having a history in radio with having to log (record) everything broadcasted on cassette tapes.

Later I ran a local radio station where we used a multi cassette player with pre-recorded shows for the night broadcasts.

Was also using them to play jingles (the poor mans cart machine).

Thats back when you had to cue up records to play as well.

JaseNZ

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#2318646 16-Sep-2019 17:30

A lot of the old audio formats are making a comeback. We supply around 30-40k of new record cover sleeves a month now days.

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#2318799 16-Sep-2019 21:04

If anyone else is interested in doing something similar to the OP, and want to buy a tape deck, I have a Sony TC118SD tape deck ( Sony TC 118 SD) which would do what the OP wanted via the audio out from a PC to the Line In jacks on the tape deck. It's been packed away in the box it originally came in for several years now but was in good working order when I retired it.

I still use my Yamaha K540 RS (Yamaha K 450)from time to time.

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