Recording tape casettes to CD / PC -Sound Forge - PC

Subject:Recording tape casettes to CD / PC Posted by: manny Date:2/17/2002 8:17:05 AM Hello, I'd like/need some help copying my tape casettes to my PC using Sound Forge. Does anyone know how I should do this other than just plain recording them. The tapes are mainly prerecorded. I don't have the noise reduction plugin. Thanks in advance.
Subject:RE: Recording tape casettes to CD / PC Reply by: nlamartina Date:2/17/2002 2:21:09 PM Manny, I can recommend a couple things to you: 1. Make sure you're using a good tape player, i.e., not your pocket Walkman (unless it's a new one of course). For one, you want your audio to sound good. Secondly, old broken down players have difficulty keeping their speed constant. 2. Clean your playback heads before making the copy. A moist cue-tip will do the trick. Also clean the tape guides inside (like the rubber wheel, the metal spoke, etc). 3. If your tape has been sitting on the shelf for a while, fully fast-forward to the end, and rewind it to the beginning. This will help ensure the tape is wound properly. It will help avoid speed modulation problems. 4. If your player has Dolby B-NR, go ahead and turn it off. You can always reduce tape hiss later in Sound Forge (EQ'ing the top end). 5. Use high quality connections between the deck and your computer. Damaged cables will cause audio problems. That's what I can think of off the top of my head. Hope this helps. Regards, Nick LaMartina

Manny,

I can recommend a couple things to you:

1. Make sure you're using a good tape player, i.e., not your pocket Walkman (unless it's a new one of course). For one, you want your audio to sound good. Secondly, old broken down players have difficulty keeping their speed constant.
2. Clean your playback heads before making the copy. A moist cue-tip will do the trick. Also clean the tape guides inside (like the rubber wheel, the metal spoke, etc).
3. If your tape has been sitting on the shelf for a while, fully fast-forward to the end, and rewind it to the beginning. This will help ensure the tape is wound properly. It will help avoid speed modulation problems.
4. If your player has Dolby B-NR, go ahead and turn it off. You can always reduce tape hiss later in Sound Forge (EQ'ing the top end).
5. Use high quality connections between the deck and your computer. Damaged cables will cause audio problems.

That's what I can think of off the top of my head. Hope this helps.

Regards,
Nick LaMartina