Plug the RCA end of the RCA-to-3.5mm cable into the red and white "Line Out" holes on the back on the cassette deck.
Plug the 3.5mm end of the cable into the "Line In" hole at the back of your computer (see Resources for a color code).
Switch on your cassette deck and insert the tape you wish to convert.
Download and install Wavepad (see Resources).
Open Wavepad, click on "Tools" and select "Options."
Press the Record button (the red circle) on Wavepad then press "Ok" on the "Sample rate" box. A "Recording Settings" box will appear.
Choose "Wave Out Mix" from the "Recording - Device" drop-down list, then press Record.
Press Play on the cassette deck. Once the tape has finished playing, press Stop on both Wavepad and the cassette deck.
To export, click on "File," then "Save File." Choose an export location, select "MP3" from the "Save As Type" drop-down list then press "Save."
Download and install Audacity (see Resources). Please note that to export files as MP3s, you must also download the LAME plugin (see Resources).
Open Audacity and change the recording device to "Wave Out Mix." To do this, click on "Edit," select "Preferences," click on the "Devices" tab and choose "Wave Out Mix" from the "Recording - Devices" drop-down list. Then press "Ok" to save.
Press the Record button on Audacity, then Play on your cassette deck. Once the tape has finished, press Stop on both the cassette deck and Audacity.
Export your file as an MP3. To do this, click on "File" and select "Export..." Choose an export location and choose "MP3" from the "Save As Type" drop-down list. Press "Save" and your file will be exported.
Download and install Record Pad (see Resources).
Open the program, click the downward-facing arrow next to "Input" and change the recording device to "Wave Out Mix."
Click on the "Options" tab to open options, select the "Output" tab, change the "Output Format" to MP3 and choose a "Destination Folder." Press "Ok" to save these settings.
Press Record on Record Pad, and then Play on the cassette deck. Once the tape has finished playing, press Stop on both Record Pad and the Cassette deck. Your file will be automatically saved to your chosen "Destination Folder."