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== Hardware setup == | == Hardware setup == | ||
Your tape player will have one or more ways of outputting sound, and to digitize a tape, we need to take the '''output''' of the player and feed it into the '''input''' of | Your tape player will have one or more ways of outputting sound, and to digitize a tape, we need to take the '''output''' of the player and feed it into the '''input''' of the computer. This will likely involve ''adapting'' the connector on your player's output to the 3.5mm audio jack on your computer or laptop. | ||
The most common output connectors are: RCA, Quarter inch (TRS) and Quarter inch (TS). | The most common output connectors are: RCA, Quarter inch (TRS) and Quarter inch (TS). | ||
==== RCA connectors ==== | |||
[[File:RCAcables.svg.png|left|thumb|183x183px|Illustration of Male and Female RCA connectors.]] | |||
RCA connectors are those old, red and white connectors seen on the back of old tech appliances such as CRTs, VCRs, and gaming consoles. They are usually paired with a yellow connector, but decks do not have this since the yellow connector is solely for video output. This is the outlet you will see the most as all cassette decks new and old have these on the back of the unit. The only players that do not have this option are portable players (i.e. Walkmans, Nikola Tesla KC-18, Crosley boomboxes) and some combo units. On some decks, the female connectors aren't color-coded so just keep in mind that white corresponds to the left channel and red corresponds to the right channel. | |||
==== Phone connectors ==== | |||
[[File:TS+TRSCables.png|center|thumb|Different types of phone connectors.]] | |||
Other than RCA output, a cassette deck also has another output method: '''Phone connectors'''. | |||
Ever wondered what those abnormally large headphone ports are for? Those are for a special phone connectors, TRS and/or TS. These connectors are about a quarter-inch thick and are older than the RCA connectors. In a time before the 3.5mm format, these were used for headphones. | |||
===== TS (Tip, Sleeve) ===== | |||
TS connectors are basically 3.5mm audio jacks that you see on wired headphones or aux cables but bigger. You may recognize these plugs as they're most commonly used for electronic instruments like electric guitars, amps and microphones. TS connectors will usually be found as quarter inch plugs on the back of the player, and each of them carries a '''mono''' signal. | |||
Neither of these connectors have better output ''quality'' than the other, but if you have humming or extra noise coming from the player when not playing tapes, it may be wise to test the other outputs to see if the result is cleaner. | ===== TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleeve) ===== | ||
TRS connectors carry '''stereo''' audio over one cable, and that's usually what the ''phones'' port on your player uses. This is because before 3.5mm was a thing, these connectors were used. While it isn't widely used anymore, headphones made for studio sessions and audiophiles will still include a quarter-inch adapter. Neither of these connectors have better output ''quality'' than the other, but if you have humming or extra noise coming from the player when not playing tapes, it may be wise to test the other outputs to see if the result is cleaner. | |||
The main difference between | The main difference between these connectors is how they handle '''stereo'''. Players that have '''RCA''' or '''TS''' plugs will always have '''two''', labeled '''left''' and '''right (L & R)'''. This means your adapter cable will look like a normal 3.5mm cable on one end, but then split into two RCA or TS jacks to get a proper stereo signal. | ||
'''BEWARE:''' ''' | ==== 3.5mm connector (1⁄8 in. TRS) ==== | ||
These are the most common form of a TRS cable. While these need an adapter in order to be used on a deck, these are used on computers, phones, tablets, and all sorts of modern tech. We use this format in order to record audio on a computer. | |||
'''BEWARE:''' '''Most microphone jacks''' on computers '''will record in mono''', especially if they're combo jacks (that carry mic and headphone over one cable). To record '''proper stereo''', you'll need to use the '''LINE IN''' jack (usually on the back of your PC) or buy a small '''USB soundcard''' with stereo recording if you only have a laptop. Another option is to use an '''audio interface''' for recording, but they're more expensive and more advanced. | |||
== Software setup == | == Software setup == | ||
