Analog cassette to digital?

I hope I'm in the right place. I'm trying to convert my cassette tapes to digital and store then on my itunes. Any advice on types of cassette players, converter units, and or software to use would be helpful. Also any help in where to find info. on simple audio editing programs, etc. If I'm in the wrong place please feel free to tell me where to go . . .
Is GB the program I use to import the cassettes? Is there a converter unit for LPs? Does it matter if I import thru a USB port or the <audio input> on the back side of my tower? Any help or direction to info. would be appreciated.

Yes, you can use GB.
You can see here:
http://www.bulletsandbones.com/GB/Tutorials/TransferringLPs.html
Cassette is basically the same (but I don't think you need the Griffin iMic to do cassettes).
But for either cassettes or LPs I would use an interface unit (Firewire preferred) for better results. (You can find some interface suggestions on that site or at Sweetwater or MusiciansFriend, etc.)
And a good quality cassette deck should produce better results as well.

Similar Messages

Analog (LPs & cassettes) to digital Mac

Hello, I just acquired boxes and boxes of old records (as with one box of old music cassettes) that were my dad's, and would like to convert them to digital files.
Can anyone please give me some recommendations of what record/cassette players are available to be connected to a Mac, that you have found to be good, that work well and transfer very good quality analog music to digital files?
Are all means to do so via USB, as I seem to have found? Wouldn't firewire be better? And do any exist that transfer via firewire instead of USB?
As my info says, my computer is my trusty ol' eMac G4, but am upgrading (finally) to the current latest iMac by the end of the year (hopefully), if that will make any difference in any product's compatibility.
Thank you very much for your time, and any helpful suggestions you can give to point me in a direction as a starting point to research and find the best thing out there to do this.
All the best to you,
JPH

I can't tell you all the other possibilities, just how I did it and maybe what you could do that is similar. It looks like that computer has sound-in capabilities with microphone jacks. You can connect the output of a cassette player to the sound input of the computer and then use a recording program (e.g., Audacity, Amadeus Pro, maybe Garageband (never seen a copy so I don't know what it can do), etc.) to record the sound. Yes, there are USB (and maybe Firewire devices) that can do the same but that's added cost. When I did this originally I had a sound card on my G3 that took direct RCA input. I haven't done this in a while but I bought a used Dazzle USB video converter for $2 at a garage sale. I know it doesn't have the video support for Mac but the next time I'm up for this I know when I plugged it in as a test the Mac recognized it as an audio input device so maybe it will work for that. If you're going this route I suspect a USB2 device will suffice. After all, you're getting this from old tapes and records and 24bit 48k recording probably isn't worth it.
If your output is a stereo cassette deck you can get an adapter to convert from the RCA to the minijack style plug. If your output is from a turntable you will have to run it through a pre-amplifier to get line level output. There are also turntables with USB output directly made specifically for people wanting to do what you want to do. Read the reviews. This was more than I wanted to spend and I also recall seeing some issues (lack of Mac support is common) in a quick read of a review.
You'll probably end up recording a side at a time. This will result in large files and you will need to split up the tracks using the audio editor. I compressed mine with FLAC for archiving and made high-quality mp3s for daily use.
Amadeus had noise filtering capabilities. Spin Doctor has this. Other much more expensive programs too. I tried SD and wasn't satisfied with the results so I hand edited the cracks and pops from my records with interpolation in an audio program. Took a long time but it didn't filter any part of the signal except the part I wanted.

Analog audio to digital software

Any suggestions on a software to transfer from an analog cassette tape to digital. I have a converter box, just no software.

So it connects to the mac using fiewire 800. If you do that and open, say iMovie or Final Cut Pro (if you have that) what happens if you play around with the settings? Can they see what they think is a "camera" or video input via firewire?
FWIW, this google search may help (...or not).

Analog Signal to Digital a Primer

Many users have analog material sitting around, and they would like to get it into digital form, so that it can be edited. As this material is below SD (Standard Definition) quality, I will address the methods for digitizing it, so that it can be best edited in a DV Project. The output can be a DVD-Video, or other format, depending on what one wishes.
The process of getting this analog material into a digital form, is referred to as Capturing, and it is digitizing the analog material and writing it to a file, that can be edited.
One will need some method of getting the analog signals into digital form, and for connecting the analog output from their analog playback device to the computer. Though the analog signal could come from all sorts of devices, I’ll use a VHS tape deck in this example.
Since a VHS tape deck does not have an A-D (Analog to Digital) processor, and also does not have a a digital signal Out, one needs something in between it, and the computer. That “something” serves two needs: mechanical connection of cables and the ability to convert the analog to digital for use in an NLE (Non Linear Editor). That “something” can be a digital video camera with pass-through capabilities, a device, called a “bridge,” or a capture card inserted into a bus slot in the computer. All three have pluses and minuses.
The first two methods rely on one having a FireWire connection on the computer and will use the Capture module in the NLE software.
The digital video camera route is good, as one already owns it. Having one with pass-through capabilities is getting more difficult. The camera also has to have FireWire (FW, IEEE-1394a, or iLink) output, and the computer must have a matching connection.
An A-D bridge will do the same thing: allow one to connect the analog cables to one end/side, process the analog signals to digital and then output via FW to the computer. There are various such bridges available and two of the most often recommended makes/models are: the ADS-Pryo, and theCanopus/Grass Valley ADVC-110. Products, like the Dazzle lineup, just do not seem to work, or work well. I would avoid such.
A dedicated capture card performs the same task, with one exception. The card will mount into an empty PCI slot on the MoBo, and have inputs for the analog cables. The card will have chips on it, to digitize the analog signals and feed these to the computer via the PCI slot. These do not connect via FW, but have one drawback: they must, in virtually every instance, use additional software to do the actual Capture, as most NLE’s cannot directly see and work with them. Some of the included software Capture programs are better, than others. One common issue with many of these cards is a loss of sync, between the Audio and the Video. This is usually static OOS (Out Of Sync), in that it is usually off by a fixed number of frames, and does not drift over time. This can be fixed in the NLE, but is extra work. This ARTICLE will give you tips on correcting OOS.
Now, we are ready to begin the Capture, as our equipment and cables are all ready to go. We have a big decision in front of us - what format/CODEC do we use to Capture our digital files? Since we are doing an SD Project with non-HD (High Def) material, there is one fine choice: DV-AVI Type II w/ 48KHz 16-bit PCM/WAV Audio, using the DV/DVC CODEC. These files will be approximately 13GB / hour of Duration. Storage will need to be considered. These files are also I-frame, meaning that each “Frame” is rendered and available, so that frame-accurate editing is possible. The NLE will not need to do any processing, or conversion of these files, as even the Audio is ready for DVD-Video. Note: there will still be Conforming and the generation of PEK (Waveform Display) files, but the NLE will be able to do this quickly and efficiently.
Using AVI Uncompressed will get you nothing that you can see, other than larger files. Do NOT use any compressed format/CODEC, like MPEG-2, WMV, MOV, etc., as these will loose data from an already inferior source, and will then need conversion to be used, either with a stand-alone conversion program, or internally by the NLE. You loose quality and then have more work to be done. Do not let the temptation of smaller files lure you into using anything but DV-AVI Type II, and just accommodate the larger file sizes.
With the file format/CODEC decision made, the cables and devices hooked up, we’re ready to start the Capture. The exact operation will depend on what our equipment choice has been. See above for talk about additional Capture software, if one uses a capture card. Otherwise, we should be able to use the Capture module of our NLE. The first issue is that we will NOT have Device Control, as we would with a Capture from a miniDV tape-based digital camera, where we can control the mechanical aspects of the camera, during this process. As our VHS deck is hooked up to the A-D bridge, or digital camera w/ pass-through, via analog cables, our control signals cannot be sent to it. One would cue up the tape in the VHS deck, and then choose Record/Capture in the NLE’s Capture module, starting the Capture. Instantly, they would hit Play on the VHS deck, or via that deck’s remote control. This is easier the second time that one does it. I sit with the mouse in my right hand, poised over the Record/Capture button, and the VHS deck’s remote in my left hand, finger hovering over Play. It’s then a 1 - 2 push, and all starts. One can stop the Capture, if an unwanted section of tape comes up. The Capture module of the NLE will direct us on how to proceed from there, should more Captures be wanted. Some will just start up at a later point, and write an additional file for that portion of the tape, but some might require that one basically sets up a new Capture session One should investigate just what their NLE will require for doing multiple Capture sessions from one VHS tape.
When done, one closes the Capture module, and then navigates to the location that these DV-AVI Type II files have been stored in, and Imports them into the Project. This differs slightly from doing the Capture from a miniDV tape camera, as those Captured files are already in the Project.
Edit away, and Export/Share to the necessary output settings, file type and CODEC.
What about those VHS - DVD decks, the ones that will burn a DVD directly from the VHS tape? They seem so simple to use, and for the most part are. However, those DVD-Video discs, contain pretty heavily-compressed MPEG-2 AV streams. These MPEG-2's, besides being compressed, are in aGOP structure and are muxed (Multiplexed into one file with both a Video & Audio stream), plus there is often some Menus and navigation in the first VOB, the main container components of a DVD-Video. Many NLE’s can Import the VOB’s, and basically rip the MPEG-2 out of them, but that first VOB can be highly problematic, due to the way that most of those decks do the Menus and navigation. It is seldom 100% DVD-compliant by the DVD-specs. This can be a major problem. This ARTICLE will give you some background and tips on DVD VOB's.
Those dual-decks are good for doing one thing, regarding the DVD’s that they produce - provide one with an archival DVD-Video of the VHS tape, and not to be edited. However, the VHS side of these works well with an A-D bridge, just like a pure VHS deck does. I would strongly recommend that one does NOT use the DVD-Video portion of these, if editing will be desired. They cause many more problems, than they solve - just use them for an “archive” copy of the tape to a DVD-Video, for playback on a computer via DVD software or a set-top player, hooked to a TV.
What about film? Well, film is obviously analog, and one needs to digitize this to edit on the computer. The process of this digitizing is referred to as telecineing the film. While one can buy equipment to do this, it is expensive, and involves a lot of setup and testing to get the job done. There are many service bureaus, that offer telecining. Some are better than others. The main considerations are: care in handling of fragile film, how the telecining is done, i.e. frame by frame w/ a liquid gate, or just by straight projection, and then output format for the digitized files. Some of these services will offer a DVD-Video disc. Do not be tempted to do this. See above. Others will offer to write these digitized files to a miniDV tape, and this is just fine. One does then need a miniDV camera, or miniDV tape deck, to then do the Capture from, but the quality and editability will be preserved. The final delivery format would be to put these DV-AVI Type II files onto an external HDD. This saves one from having to do the Capture from miniDV tape, having to have a miniDV camera, or miniDV deck, and only Importing of those files would be required to get them into the Project. Many of these service bureaus will either sell you the external, or use one provided to them. Check out specifications for things like format of the external. FAT-32 will limit the file sizes to ~ 4GB max, and NTSF will have no such limitations. However, if the service bureau is on Mac, and you’re on the PC, their Mac’s can ONLY see FAT-32 HDD’s. Talk this over with the service bureau first, so that there are no surprises later on.
Hope that this helps,
Hunt
PS - also see this FAQ Entry for more detail.

the_wine_snob wrote:
Products, like the Dazzle lineup, just do not seem to work, or work well. I would avoid such.
Although I now have a Canopus ADVC300 I previously used a Magix 'Movies on DVD' USB device. I found the results from this to be particularly good and, to my ageing eyes, I see very little quality difference.
I think this is because Magix use their proprietary high quality codec (from their Pro products) to capture the footage. Like DV-AVI it runs around 10GB+ per hour. This can then, very simply, be exported to DV-AVI Type 2 for use in PRE. Note that there are some sound synchronisation issues with the 'out of the box' settings - but the fix is quick and I posted details to the Magix forum.
Would I revert if I could return my ADVC300 bridge? Probably not - the firewire connection and the PC seeing the box as a camcorder adds to ease of use. In fact I am pleased to have both. There are some things Magix does better than PRE7 (batch exporting each scene as an individual DV-AVI file being just one) and it has smart-rendering which is handy for quick clip splitting/exporting.
Cheers,
Neale
Insanity is hereditary, you get it from your children

Converting analog cassette tapes to CDs

Hi everyone!
How do I convert analog cassette tapes to CDs? I don't have any fancy equipment or anything. Just a nice tape player.
Thank you!
PowerBook G4 17 Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Hi, zoopop - This subject was discussed recently, and several options for achieving your aim are described in this topic:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=250698&tstart=0
Good luck!
Tuttle
1432/8140

How to convert a analog signal to digital signal

Hello,
How to convert an analog signal into digital signal such that every sample of analog signal corresponding to 1.2V will be represented as '1' in digital signal and other samples of analog signal(that are not 1.2v) will be represented(converted) as '0' in digital signal.
And how to display both wavefroms or signals in graph indicators.
Thanks.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

If you have 1000 samples, and you want to convert to digital, you are going to get 1000 digital values. Attached is what I mean.
Unofficial Forum Rules and Guidelines - Hooovahh - LabVIEW Overlord
If 10 out of 10 experts in any field say something is bad, you should probably take their opinion seriously.
Attachments:
Analog_to_Digital Hooovahh Edit.vi ‏52 KB

How can i change analog waves into digital waves?

we had labview lab last week.. were doing fine if we have instructions unfortunately the professor will give us an exercise regarding baseband signals spectra.. were trying to download a trial software but we dont have any luck. the question asks for us to change analog waves into digital waves, measure the amplitude of the 5-th harmonic using spectrum analyzer.. i hope you can help me thnx..

After you are successful getting LabVIEW on your computer, put together something to at least show us you're up for learning. Then we can guide you to a solution that you've developed (mostly) on your own.
Bill
(Mid-Level minion.)
My support system ensures that I don't look totally incompetent.
Proud to say that I've progressed beyond knowing just enough to be dangerous. I now know enough to know that I have no clue about anything at all.

Analog data to digital data conversion in labwindows

Hi
Is there any library function available in Labwindows for converting Analog data to Digital Data..
Thank You

shoukat,
could you please provide some more information about the background of this question? Is there any link to motion control (this is the Motion Control forum)?
I don't understand exactly, what you are looking for. All data that you use in a programming environment are digital data - regardless of the data type. Are you looking for a data conversion from floating point to binary (e. g. a boolean array) or are you looking for data acquisition hard- and software?
Regards,
Jochen Klier
National Instruments

When converting analog video to digital to my macbook the audio desyncs halfway through. Any ideas?

I am trying to convert Analog video to digital to my Macbook for work, and every time I run it through my converter the audio De-syncs about halfway into the video. Does anyone know how to go about fixing this issue or have had similar issues to this? I have no issues when converting to my PC, but only my Mac. Thanks!

Hi Rick,
I am extracting the material from the dvd directly using handbrake. The file that handbrake creates lands on the desktop. I then ammend the end of the filename from mp4 to m4v. Following this I click and drag the file onto the itunes icon in the dock. I can then download it to the ipod no problem. The dropouts occur no matter where I play the file. In other words, on the desktop (with QT), in the itunes library and on the pod.
I went back and looked at all the dvd's that are giving me this trouble. The culprit seems to be that the audio signal is in LPCM (linear pulse code modulation). Just for the **** of it, I tried to rip one track using handbrake changing the sampling rate of the audio to 48,000 Hz which I believe is what LPCM uses (previously I had set it at 41,000 Hz in handbrake). But no go, still has dropouts. One of these problem dvd's has a second audio option in AC3 (2ch). As a test, I ripped one song using that. Dropouts are gone. However, the audio is a director's commentary (on the music video he shot) with the music in the background, so it's not what I want.
Is there any way to convert LPCM to AC3? Or any other way to fix this dropout problem.
Thanks,
Pete

Best Quality importing 8mm analog and 8mm Digital Video Tapes

Hi folks,
I have imported several 8mm analog and 8mm digital 8 video tapes using a Sony Digital 8 camcorder and firewire cable into my iMac. As referenced many times, the quality is so-so due to the loss of half the lines; a deficiency in iMovie 8.
I just acquired a copy of iMovie 6HD to address this. Both are now installed on my iMac.
Would I lose any video quality if I first import into iMovie 6HD and then export from HD to iMovie 8 using the "Import from iMovie HD" option. In other words, does using iMovie HD as an interim step address the "line loss" problem associated with video tape input that exists in iMovie 8.
For diehard HD users this may seem counter-intuitive but I like some of the title and transition capabilities in iMovie 8 and am willing to sacrifice some editing function/capability if the original video quality is not compromised.
TIA,
Ed

Bengt,
Thanks for the reply. So importing first to HD doesn't solve my problem. I need to edit in HD and publish in HD or lose half of the interlaced video.
I am aware that importing from tape directly to iMovie'08 or 09 or 11 loses half the video. I was hoping that using HD as an intermediate would solve my problem.
Guess I need to learn editing in HD.
Could you please just confirm. I have become very comfortable editing in '08 and my first few looks at HD aren't getting me there....yet.
Thanks again.

Can we acquire the Analog input and Digital Input at

Can we acquire the Analog input and Digital Input at
the same time? My sensor data include Analog and
digital signals.

Hi Chenchen,
It usually simplifies things greatly if you use analog inputs to monitor both the analog signals AND the digital signals.
If you abosulutely HAVE to use digital lines, then the answer is, DEPENDS....
With the correct hardware and depending on how fast you want to collect data and how closely the measurements have to be syncronized in time, it can be done.
But first, concider using analog inputs to monitor all signals.
If you need to move forward with both analog and digital acquisitions, then post a new quesion and give us details on the hardware you are using and the other details we will need to advise you.
Trying to help,
Ben
Ben Rayner
Certified LabVIEW Developer
www.DSAutomation.com
Ben Rayner
I am currently active on.. MainStream Preppers
Rayner's Ridge is under construction

Directly convert the analog signals into digital without passing through FPGA

To whom it may concern,
I am using a SCB-68 board R-series and I have a couple of technical questions:
In my system at the moment 8 analog channels are connected to the 8 input analog ports and then data are sent to a FPGA (PXI system 7852R). I am planning now to add other 4 channels to the system. Since over the total 12 channels I just need a very fast acquisition mode (using the FPGA) for 6 of them, while the other 6 can be sampled in a ms scale, I was wondering if you can suggest me something that I can use to directly convert the analog signals into digital and in this way used many unused digital signals provided with this model.
Thanks in advance.

yes it is correct, what do you need is:
software + (pc) + PXI + cable + chassis + C-series module
With embedded controllers, there’s no need for an external PC
With PXI remote control kits, you can control PXI systems directly from desktops, laptops, or server computers.
What Is PXI?
To configure a complete PXI System please go to: Build Your PXI System

LP turntable/cassettes to Digital

Is there a recording system that transfers LPs/cassettes to Digital files, and is compatible with MacIntosh? Something similar to Audio-Technica products? (which only works with Windows). I have so many LPs and cassettes I would like to transfer, and I notice it gets costly using companies that provide the service. Thanks for any help you can provide. jbg
iMac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.1)

jbg2
Here's one way to do it:
Run a mini-jack (1/8th) cable from the headphone output on your hi-fi or cassette player to the line-in on your iMac.
Go to System Preferences -> Sound and under Input select the Line In
Now you need software to record the LP or Cassette: there many options but I suggest the Open Source (as in Free) Audacity. You can download it from here:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Then record each album a side at a time. The wave-form editor makes it a cinch to edit the file into tracks. I suggest that you save as Aiff files, which are large, and if you wish you can convert them to mp3 or AAC with iTunes.
Also, Audacity will help you get rid of any snap crackle and pop on the LPs.
Regards
TD

Converting analog signals into digital signals

I have been transferring analog video cassettes to iMovie for further editing by using a digital camcorder (Canon MV960) between the 8mm video camcorder (analog camcorder) and iMac. I have always done this without any cassette in the digital camcorder, i.e. I have been using the digital camcorder as an analog/digital converter only.
I recently acquired iMovie HD 6 but this most recent version of iMovie refuses to import any signal from the analog camcorder via the digital camcorder. The window in iMovie is empty with an error message saying that "no tape". Well, it's true, there is no tape, there never was any tape when I used the previous version of iMovie!
Does this mean that I have to convert the analog video tape into digital video tape and, once recorded in digital format, the digital tape can be imported in iMovie HD 6?
All cable connections are OK:
- the analog film could be seen in the screen of the digital camcorder:
- digital video tape could be imported to iMovie HD 6.

Hi 5480:
try running a permissions repair (which should actually be done before and after upgrading software). You will find it in applications / utility / disk utility.
Also, this is a copy of how Matti Haveri (iMovie Guru) sets up analoge to DV:
My Analog to DV passthrough settings memo:
1. Take the tape out of the camcorder
2. Connect the analog device's audio and video to the camcorder's minijack, use the S-Video jack for video if the output device supports S-Video
3. Put the camcorder into VTR-mode
4. Select A/V->DV out: ON, in VTR mode's menu choices
5. Disable the info display on the the camcorder by toggling its DISPLAY button
6. Put iMovie (or other DV application) to the Camera Mode
The analog image should now appear on the camcorder's screen as well as on the iMovie's screen.
Note that if you have a tape in the camcorder, you have to put the camcorder's VTR into REC mode (you may pause the tape) but this is not advisable because it produces wear to the tape.
* Note that the SCART which comes with the European nEUtered TRV320E camcorder is Out-only.
Sue

Converting analog video to digital

I'am currently running on a new powerbook G4 OS 10.4 and having great difficulty getting my computer to read my camera. The problem is that my camera is connected to a digital converter. Dazzle Hollywood DV Bridge. My camera is a Sharp that runs Hi-8 tapes. If anybody has any clue on how to get my computer to recognize this set up I would greatly appreciate it.

Brian,
I have the same Hollywood DV set up and every now and then it acts goofy. Take a look at the lights at the top. the lowest one (AtoD) should be green. (analog to digital) If all lights are red click the switch on the top rear of the Dazzle unit.
Also use the firewire port on the rear. Seems like mine has an issue with the front.
Lastly save and exit the I movie program and restart AFTER hooking up and selecting Ato D.
Make sure you set the switch on iMovies interface to "camera".
One last thing. You have to work the camera by it's controls. You won't get them to work through I movie.
If this doesn't help hook up a VCR to the DV Bridge, Hit play and see if it sends through to iMovie. If it does it's your camera or connecting cable.

Analog cassette to digital?

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