?Using Sound Blaster to record ta

Question

I have a Sound Blaster 24-bit external device ( Model: SB0490) that I am trying to configure,?I want to record tapes and?eventually transfer the audio files to my husband's IPod. I have used the device before to record tapes and LP's and that worked well. The system is the same and so are the different componets. I am using a simple tape player that only has an earjack plug for the out.
I can not get the device to recognize the sound from the tape player, the level guide stays flat and does not show any changes. I do make sure the box is checked to allow for the level to be seen visually.
When I did?the recording?before I know that I had to figure out the set-up as the paper documention?and support files did not cover the needed configuration. Yet I did figure it out at that point. I do not?remember now how I connected everything then. The speakers are working in my normal set-up, I have a simple set-up of 2 speakers. I have hooked them to the "front" plug and tried putting the tape player in both the "mic-in" and "line in" outlets and neither plug registers a sound in the level gauge. I believe that when I did it before that I had to use a splitter, this may be due to needing to listen on a head-set so that I did not disturb others while I was recording. I have tried so many configurations and still can not seem to enable Sound Blaster correctly. Even when I can hear the tape player the system still does not register on the gauge. I have tried adjusting both the sound level manually on both the tape player and Sound Blaster with no difference. I should add that I am trying to tape a booktape which uses a dual outlet plug adapter as each side of the tape has two tracks. After the taping of one track I change to the other outlet and record the other track. I don't know that this would make a difference but it may. I am a novice when it comes to this so I'm probably over-looking something simple in the set-up. And although I figured it out before I am at a loss now. If anyone has?a solution?I would appreciate a reply. Thanks much!?

Answer 1

jutapa - Thanks for the question on the ITunes. The tape player I am using is not a good tape player, i.e. it doesn't have any way to adjust things like the sound quality, etc. Just a plug for the earphones, whether I want to play a CD, tape or radio.
I am using book tapes on the tape player as my item to record and I don't have another tape player available. Wondering if something in Windows programs was overriding the sound Blaster device I tried to forego?the Sound Blaster and plug?the player?straight into the computer and the computer does not recognize it all. Likely because it's not a digital device. I did use?the radio setting last night?to see?if there was any difference, the same lack of sound happened. When I recorded before I didn't have too much problem figuring this all out - listening on earphones while I was taping - was the biggest thing. I?believe I used a splitter for that. I use Itunes for CD's all the time with no problems. In?the current?situation I get sound in my ear-micphones. ?Maybe the problem is in the ear-mic phones - perhaps I used a different earphones before? I think I have used up options with the cords, all kinds of Rube Goldberg configurations starting out with what seemed to be logical ..... my thinking was that sooner or later something?is bound to work. I checked all the levels and the volume is set?at full for mic, line-in, etc. I'm going to hit Radio Shack later today and see what they have in cords - maybe my cords are damaged in some fashion. Again thanks for your comment. If I figure out the problem I will post the solution in case anyone else runs into the problem. Thanks again.