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How to Convert Reel to Reel Tape to CD

Although converting reel-to-reel tape to CD takes a bit of time, resources and preparation, backing up audio from analog reel-to-reel tapes is very important in the preservation and archiving of audio recordings from the past.

Things You'll Need

  • Computer
  • Pro Tools
  • ITunes
  • CD-R
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Instructions

    • 1

      Open Pro Tools and create a new session.

    • 2

      Click “File,” “Save,” and name the Pro Tools session.

    • 3

      Click “Track,” “New Track,” and create 2 mono audio tracks.

    • 4

      Name track 1 “Left” and name track 2 “Right.”

    • 5

      Set the input of “Left” to Pro Tools input 1.

    • 6

      Set the input of “Right” to Pro Tools input 2.

    • 7

      Plug the left output of your reel-to-reel tape machine into Pro Tools input 1.

    • 8

      Plug the right output of your reel-to-reel tape machine into Pro Tools input 2.

    • 9

      Play back the audio on the reel-to-reel tape machine and adjust the input gain of input 1 and 2 so that their average peaks are at the same level. Make sure that the inputs do not clip during playback of the loudest audio on the reel-to-reel tape.

    • 10

      Rewind the reel-to-reel tape machine.

    • 11

      Arm tracks “Left” and “Right” for recording by pressing the record button on each track.

    • 12

      Arm Pro Tools for recording by pressing the record button located at the top of the edit window in the transport.

    • 13

      Press play in Pro Tools to initiate recording.

    • 14

      Press play on the tape machine to begin playback.

    • 15

      Stop the tape machine once the audio has finished playing. Then press stop in Pro Tools.

    • 16

      Highlight the audio that Pro Tools has recorded and click “File,” then “Bounce to Disk.”

    • 17

      Name the audio file that you are bouncing, choose where you would like to save it on your computer and press “Bounce.”

    • 18

      Close Pro Tools when the bounce has finished.

    • 19

      Open iTunes and click “File,” then “New Playlist.”

    • 20

      Name the new playlist that appears on the left-hand side of iTunes.

    • 21

      Press “File,” then “Add to Library,” and select the file that you bounced from Pro Tools to import it into iTunes.

    • 22

      Drag the audio file that you imported from the iTunes library into the playlist you created.

    • 23

      Click on the playlist to highlight it.

    • 24

      Click “Burn Disc” in the bottom right-hand side of iTunes.

    • 25

      Insert a blank CD-R and select “Burn.”

Recording Music

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