Audio Capturing - best hardware / software approach(s) ?

[vhelp]

I guys.

Does anyone know of either of the following, that would help me out with:

* capturing my audio from my cassette tapes

* and then, converting them to MP3 (or other format) to burn on CDRs.


Example:

* Is there a (cheap cost) hardware MP3 device to capture my cassettes
...from my tape recorder's speaker connection ??

* else, is there a (freeware) software that can do the same thing but
...with out bogging down my cpu resources on my XP 1700 chip ??


I have a bunch of cassettes (all voices from lectures and educational
classes) that I would like to "quickly" put into MP3 on my pc and start
playing them. None of these tapes have music on them. They are all
voices, and many are my own speach/conversations (though I think I sound
pretty dumb)
I don't think I'll need anything w/ bells/whistles. These are alll MONO, and
not Stereo. However, all is ok for future Stereo recording that I'll be making
soon from my recordings.

Any advice from you sound/audio gurus would be GREATLY appreciated !!
Thank you all again,

-vhelp

[Almost Human]

Cdex, under tools choose "Record from Analog". Be sure to turn on "line in" on your sound card.

[vhelp]

@ Almost..

Thanks for your suggestion.

On a slightely OT, anyone know of any i/o cards for this purpose ??

Also, how about the little externan box that SB puts put for $39 (I think)
..and then theirs' another couple of higher ones. But, I don't see that they
do real-time (or hardware assisted) "sound - to - MP3" on the fly, when connecting
a sound source (ie, cheap tape recorder).

Thanks again :P
-vhelp

[c_hernandez32]

Any audio card should do. Just make sure that you adjust the volume so the isn't so loud that it clips. Use CD Wave to record, just put a tape on and let it play. I automatically breaks the tracks or you can create your own. The only problem is that it encodes to wav, I think the new version might encode mp3, never tried it. As for hardware, just use your soundcard, even the ones built into the PC are good enough.

[vhelp]

Hi guys.. and thanks for your suggestions and support :P

I am testing cdex now. Had a bit of a problem recording from my mike.. and
el-cheapo ($1.99) to my soundcard's mike input. Anyways..
.
I'm having trouble getting good quality sound from my own voice.
Lots of background noise, and/or I have to speak up real close to the mike.
I have a digital 8hr recorder that I take everywheres with me (car mostly,
since there is where my ideas/thoughts come) and the sound from it's built-in
mic is clear, even when the gizmo is on the table in front of me, a foot away.

what can I do to get a clean and clear sound from my own voice recordings ??
I want to start recording some personal notes (from books I read, for study
purposes) and get good quality sound, like if I was the narrarator on PBS tv
shows, hehe.. x:

Some advice would be greatly appreciated. I know others' would like some
tips on this too :P

Oh, by the way, FWIW.. cdex is pretty great. I love how it records directly
to MP3. I'm using (LAME v1.30 - engine 3.92 MMX) as my MP3 setting.
Is there a better or reccommended setting / encoder codec to use ??

Again, many thanks..
-vhelp

[vhelp]

Well, here is an UPDATE..

In my search for better quality out of my MIC recordings (ie, my voice) I found
an mic that I bought at RShack (3 years ago, I think) Model # 33-3021 and is
an Optimus, and is a uni-directional mic.

The sound is much cleaner now. Oh, let me continue.. was too quick..

In short, I found a little gizmo for $19 that incorporates "Karaoke" features.
Including reverb/echo.

When I hooked up my mic to it, boy was I in for a surprise! It sounded great.
I did a couple of test recordings of my voice, and am very pleased with the
sound quality.., though still needs some tweaking (mind you, this is not a
pro device) but its definately a good start, and for only $19 bucks :P
.
I even played my Acoustic Guitar (though the above mike) and I really liked
the way my poor strumming sounded. Like a pro baby
Does anyone want to here me sing Karaoke baby hehe.. ?? ..nahh, forget
about it. Anyways..

I'm using my Line-In, and this gizmo device. It's perfect for now. But if
anyone would like some additional info, just ask here. Else, if anyone has
any other suggestions to better quality sound from my setup or other, please
don't hesitate to add to it :P cause I could really use the additional assist.
I have other reasons for this thread, and not just for recording from my cassette
tapes 8)

One thing I'd like to add for CDEX is that its too clumszy. I mean, to
get at the "recording sound source" you have to go through several steps,
and also, you loose your recording settings. They don't save. Would be
nice if it were a button somewhere, and saved settings etc.

Is there another SW app that does the same thing in recording your sound
source (though Line-In) and saving to an MP3, on the fly ??

Thanks again everyone,
-vhelp 2527

[johns0]

Audacity will record from line-in and then save to mp3 with the lame mp3 codecs and its free.

[vhelp]

@ johns0,

Thanks. Checking it out now.
-vhelp

[lordsmurf]

I use the CREATIVE software that came with my audio card. I then use SoundForge and DartPro to fix whatever may need fixing. I do this with tape narrations that go with 8mm reels and then for rare LPs.

It's all WAV.

If I make MP3, I use Besweet to convert to MP3. Works great. I've also got Cleaner with true Fraunhofer MP3 encoders if needed.

[vhelp]

thanks for your response lordsmurf :P

I'm playing aroudn w/ johns0 's suggestion above. I like it too. Neet how you
can mix audio tracks on a line (my voice recordings) though weard too
But I figure it out too.

But, this app does not seem to record to .MP3 on the fly. Am I missing
something here ??

The reason why I want something to record to .MP3 on the fly (or real-time)
is because of VERY LONG RECORDINGS that I have on cassette tapes. And
if I record to .WAV file first (as in Audiocity) I may run out of HD space.

Any advice on this app above, or else other suggestions ??
Thanks again,
-vhelp