Arts >> Music >> Recording Music

How to Transfer Cassette Tapes to a CD Machine

Transferring cassette tapes to a CD machine is useful for a number of different reasons. Now that tapes are no longer widely used, and are a largely destitute musical format, more people want to convert their music from cassette tapes to CDs for the music's longevity. But CDs also allow a greater sound quality to be achieved, as well as a more versatile and user-friendly way of listening to music. Because of the two format's technological differences, transferring from one to the other is a bit convoluted but achievable.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape deck
  • Stereo RCA cable with mini-jack
  • Music recording software
  • Computer
  • iTunes
  • Blank Disc
  • CD player
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Insert the black and white RCA cable jacks into the corresponding output jacks of your tape deck.

    • 2

      Plug the mini-jack on the opposite end of the RCA cable into your computer's line-in socket, or the headphone socket if using a laptop.

    • 3

      Open your music recording software--this can be anything from Garageband to Reason; obviously the better the program the better the sound quality. Set the Program up to record a new track.

    • 4

      Insert the tape you wish to transfer into your tape deck and press Play. Check the recording level gauge on your music software to make sure that the level doesn't exceed the red line at the top of the gauge. Adjust the tape deck volume accordingly.

    • 5

      Rewind the tape to the beginning once the levels are correct. Press Record on your music software program and press Play on the cassette deck. Save the recorded tape to your desktop.

    • 6

      Open iTunes and drag the recorded tape file into your music Library. Select "File" at the top of the screen then "New Playlist." Type a name for your new CD. Drag the recorded tape file into your new playlist.

    • 7

      Insert a blank CD into your computer's disk drive. Select "Burn Disk" in the bottom right of the screen. Insert the burnt CD into your CD machine to play the recorded tape's music.

Recording Music

Related Categories