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How to Transfer Cassette Contents to a CD or a Computer

Transferring a cassette's contents to a computer, and then to a CD, is a convoluted process simply because the cassette tape is a much older audio format than the computer or the CD. Therefore, software programs are needed through which to record and convert the tape's music to your computer. However, this does not mean that it is an impossible process or even a very difficult one; all that is needed is a bit of equipment and some know-how.

Things You'll Need

  • Cassette deck
  • Stereo RCA cable with mini-jack
  • Audio-editing software
  • CD burning software
  • Blank CD-R(s)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Insert the black and white jacks on your RCA cable into the "Line-Out" on the back of your cassette deck. Inert the mini-jack end into the "Line-In" on the back of your computer, or the headphone socket of your laptop.

    • 2

      Open your audio-editing software and set it up to record a new track.

    • 3

      Ensure that the "Line-In" option is selected on your audio-editing program. Press "Play" on your cassette deck. Adjust the volume so that it does not exceed the maximum recording level on the software.

    • 4

      Press "Stop" once the levels are set. Press "Rewind" so that your cassette winds back to the beginning.

    • 5

      Click "Record" on your audio-editing program. Press "Play" on your cassette deck. Save the record file to your computer's desktop once it has finished recording.

    • 6

      Click on your disc-burning software icon, such as iTunes or Windows Media Player, to open it. Click and drag the saved recorded tape file into your program. Select "File," then "New Playlist" in your program's screen. Drag the saved tape file into your playlist.

    • 7

      Insert a blank CD-R into your computer's disc drive. Click on "Burn Disc" in your disc-burning program; your cassette contents will now burn to a CD.

Recording Music

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