Is it possible?

Pycroft
Pycroft Posts: 1,960
edited January 2010 in Electronics
Hi all...

Is it possible to convert a tape to a CD? If so, is it difficult. I have tons of bootleg rehearsals and concerts that I did as a young professional, and would love to transfer them to something more reliable. Some of the tapes are getting old, and I feel some will be going soon. Also, it will save me from having to get a tape player that's decent.

James
2 Channel/HT:
Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
Harman Kardon HK354
Sony SACD Player
Post edited by Pycroft on
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,788
    edited January 2010
    Not only possible, but easy. Run the tape player into a computer, record a wave file, edit it into seperate tracks if you like, and burn an audio CD.

    You could also buy a stand alone CD recorder. I have one of these, it has several recording options:

    http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=200106
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    It is really easy. I have used Audacity to record many things onto CD. Audio-out to computer line-in, either using the line-out from your Receiver or direct from the tape deck, (or TT) while Audacity is set to record.
    Then expor to MP3, Apple lossless or your format of choise.

    Also has many features to clean up recordings ect. Also works great to record LP's to MP3's ect too. Thanks to Keiko for the links.

    Note: install the LAME MP3 converter to export to MP3, if using the 1.2.6 version. If you use the 1.3beta version, MP3 conversaion/ export is built in.

    http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited January 2010
    Hmm...

    There's no way in hell I'm buying a 900 dollar stand alone recorder :) The only actual tape player comes out of some crappy Phillips CD/tape player (Basically one of those things I bought when I was 18 years old going to college so i could listen to something...5 speakers, crappy sub, and little box to put tapes and CD's). Do I need some special stand/alone tape player, or could I make this work somehow???

    Thanks for the help!
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited January 2010
    As long as it has outputs. All you need is a RCA (phono) to 1/8" mini-jack cable. Radio Shack has em. Audacity is free and easy to use.
    -Kevin
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  • MANSKITO
    MANSKITO Posts: 295
    edited January 2010
    Why would you want to?!?!? TAPES RULE!!

    Jk ya its easy

    (but honestly as off like 8 hours ago (tapes littered all over the floor) I honestly think tapes sound a good bit better then CDs.)
    Monitor 60s, CS10 front
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 51,023
    edited January 2010
    I honestly think tapes sound a good bit better then CDs.

    In that case, you need a better CDP.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • MANSKITO
    MANSKITO Posts: 295
    edited January 2010
    F1nut wrote: »
    In that case, you need a better CDP.

    lol maybe.
    Monitor 60s, CS10 front
    Monitor 40s, back
    PSW10:(

    H/k AVR 325
    Sansui Tape Deck
    Pioneer PD-5010 CD player

    Sennheiser HD 650s :D
    Maverick Audio Tube Magic D1 DAC

    AMD Phenom II 940 @ 3.8 prime stabel
    4 gigs 1066, cas 5
    XFX 4890 1gig
    Seagate 1tb 7200.12
    Creative X-fI Titanium Fatal1ty
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited January 2010
    CD's age better than CD's. The stuff I am moving to CD is one of a kind...live rehearsals and performances I've been in. I had a tape a few weeks ago snap, so now it's trash. Some things I really don't want to lose, thus, the transfer. Thanks for the help!
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited January 2010
    Stand alone tape decks "R" Us.

    Ask about our Loaner Deck program.
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  • anhchungdoan
    anhchungdoan Posts: 760
    edited January 2010
    MANSKITO wrote: »
    Why would you want to?!?!? TAPES RULE!!

    Jk ya its easy

    (but honestly as off like 8 hours ago (tapes littered all over the floor) I honestly think tapes sound a good bit better then CDs.)

    Yeah, better hissing noise too.
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    I hope you didn't toss the 'original' tape that broke. You can get audio splice tape and repair it. Also, if looking for a tape deck check out Goodwill or pawn shops. I see tape decks all the time for no more than $20 for a decent one (in its day)
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  • Disc Jockey
    Disc Jockey Posts: 1,013
    edited January 2010
    Pycroft wrote: »
    CD's age better than CD's.

    Can't argue with that :rolleyes:
    "The secret of happiness is freedom. The secret of freedom is courage." Thucydides
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited January 2010
    f1nut wrote: »
    in that case, you need a better cdp.

    +1 ...
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited January 2010
    kcoc321 wrote: »
    I hope you didn't toss the 'original' tape that broke. You can get audio splice tape and repair it. ...

    Like kcoc321 said (man I can't say that--in my head it sounds like cacaawk like a raven or crow :p )--anyway, +1, that's an easy fix.
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,059
    edited January 2010
    kcoc321 wrote: »
    I hope you didn't toss the 'original' tape that broke. You can get audio splice tape and repair it. Also, if looking for a tape deck check out Goodwill or pawn shops. I see tape decks all the time for no more than $20 for a decent one (in its day)

    Man, that old splice tape brings back memories. I had a reel to reel with more splices in it than JSTAS has insults. That sucked because it was one of my favs...Kansas-Left Overture.
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