What mike?

[woodelf]

What kind of mike would I need to record something from a cassette onto my pc? It dunner have to cost that much, as it will probably only be a one-off recording...and oh, if anyone has songtapper on their pc, would they do this on there, if I 'wrote out' the tune in taps? Ta Muchly.

[AlBags]

You don't use a mic .. you use a 2.5 jack from the line out to line in on PC souncard input. You should have those available. Better not to use a mic at all, because in proximity to PC (even with shielded cable) you will get feedback and generally crap sound!

[woodelf]

Hi Al, I'm a techno duffer, so could you explain that 2.5 line in/out bit for me in idiot English...smile.

[AlBags]

Ah .. Check the tape player for any audio out socket. Even a heahphone socket 'could' be used. They are usually 2.5mm standard jack sockets (like a walkman headphone socket)
Check the PC sound entry jacks for line in. You can select in the audio control panel accessible from system tray icon.

[Skids]

At the very least you should have a headphone socket (or a line-out socket) on the cassette deck and a microphone socket (or line-in socket) on the computer, is what AlBags is driving at. These are normally for 2.5mm headphone jack plugs, so a cable with a 2.5mm jack plug at each end will connect one to the other.
Proper line-out/line-in sockets are not governed by the devices' volume controls, where headphone/microphone sockets are.

[Vagrant]

On the PC, there is a round socket, coloured light blue - that's Line In.
On the cassette player, there will be a similar socket, colour unimportant, but probably got a symbol like a circle with an arrow pointing out of it - that's Line Out.
Both sockets have a diameter of 2.5 mm.
To connect the two, you need a lead with a 2.5 mm plug at each end - readily available in Poundland or similar shops.

[woodelf]

Al, the tape side of things I get, but the pc side I don't - does it mean I need a cable with a jack plug either end, then one in tape socket and the other in pc?...then what...even bigger idiot English!

[woodelf]

Many Thanks Skids and Vagrant, your answers came up as I was answering Al. When all (hopefully) is connected up, I just play the bit of tape I'm on about, but then where does it go in the pc...I should get a message, yes?? I don't caere how much of an idiot I sound, I'd just love to know what this piece of music is!

[Vagrant]

// does it mean I need a cable with a jack plug either end, then one in tape socket and the other in pc //

Yes, that's exactly what it means.

// then what //

That depends - is it Mac, Linux, Windows XP, etc. etc. etc.

[AlBags]

Connect up with a cable as above .. play tape .. open PC sound panel and fiddle about. Should get it working : )

[woodelf]

Vagrant, windows xp professional sp3.

[Vagrant]

// I just play the bit of tape I'm on about, but then where does it go in the pc...I should get a message, yes //

No - or at least I doubt it.

You'll need to run some recording software, and what that is depends on Mac, Xp, Win7, etc ...

[woodelf]

this socket on the pc, is it at front of tower or at back?

[woodelf]

Heeeeeeelp!!!!!!...could someone do it for me???????...pretty pleeeeeze!

[Vagrant]

Download (and install) Audacity:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

[Vagrant]

Sorry - should have mentioned - legally free, virus free, should do what you want.

[Vagrant]

The socket - might be on the front, back, top, or side!
What make/model PC?
Wherever it is, it's light blue.

[woodelf]

I daren't download anything like that as I have a speech system which takes up a hell of a lot of space and always 'fights' anything else which is 'unknown'...and to be honest, I aint got the confidence.

[dabees]

It will be a 3.5mm not a 2.5mm.
PC's Ipods etc use a stereo 3.5mm plug as standard.

[dabees]

What is it you want to record? If it's something common then I can record it for you and send it to a throw away email address, just go to gmail, hotmail, yahoo etc and set up an email you can use for this purpose.

[woodelf]

Ah, Dabees, an offer to record, if you email me at [email protected] I'll explain more...if you don't mind? Very Many Thanks