While sometimes it may seem as though all of recorded music is available by a quick search on services such as Spotify, Google Play, or iTunes (to name just three), the truth is that a significant amount of recorded music is only available in analog formats, such as cassette tapes. So, whether your interest is in digitizing cassettes from childhood or a mix tape from an old high-school flame, B&H has a range of solutions to help you enjoy your analog music in a convenient digital format.
There are two approaches to digitizing cassette tapes. The first is to buy a cassette player or combination media player that includes a CD burner or USB sound card with software for recording to a computer.
The second approach is to combine an existing cassette player with a USB, Thunderbolt, or Firewire (depending on your computer’s I/O) audio interface or with a digital field recorder that accepts the analog line level output of your cassette player.
Approach 1
The easiest way to digitize your cassettes is by purchasing a device such as the ION Audio Tape Express+ Portable Tape-to-MP3 Converter. Not much larger than a cassette itself, the unit is USB bus powered. It comes with ION’s EZ vinyl/Tape Converter software for Mac and windows which provides step by step guidance for transferring you music via iTunes.
For users interested in also digitizing their cassette collection to CD’s or USB flash media without the need for a computer, take a look at the TEAC AD-RW900-B CD Recorder with Cassette Deck and USB Port.
For users also interested in digitizing their cassette collection to CDs or USB flash media without the need for a computer, take a look at the TEAC AD-RW900-B CD Recorder with Cassette Deck and USB Port.
Approach 2
For users who prefer a more DIY approach and who already have a working cassette player with a line level output, consider purchasing a simple line level cable for connecting to the line level input and using your computer’s internal sound card. Alternatively, if your computer does not have a line level input on the bus and you do not currently own an audio interface that accepts line level inputs, you can purchase an analog-to-digital-over-USB converter, such as the Griffin Technology iMic USB audio Interface.
A wide variety of paid (Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Logic), as well as free (Audacity, Garageband for Macs, etc) digital audio workstations (DAW), are available online and from B&H to meet your needs. Depending on what you choose, be sure to follow the software’s help section for setting up your audio interface or soundcard to record to the software.
Alternatively, if you do not want to use a computer and DAW to record, you could consider using a digital field recorder with a line level input such as the Zoom H1 Ultra-Portable Digital Audio Recorder. You can then load the tracks into a computer at a later point for editing, labeling, and organizing from the recorder’s microSD/SDHC card.
Connecting your cassette player to your audio interface, field recorder, or internal soundcard will depend on the input and output connectors of the respective devices. These may be stereo 3.5mm line level connectors or a pair of unbalanced RCA connectors. Fortunately, B&H offers an extensive catalog of cables and adapters for connecting your equipment so you can accomplish your goal.
108 Comments
Hello, I work for a company that has an old box of cassette tapes that we want to convert to digital. There are about 600 of them including about 150 mirco sized. What device would be the best for our situation?
Hi Matt -
We do not have an all in one device for you Matt. For the micro-cassettes you would need a minimum of a playback device. for standard sized cassettes you could use this:
TASCAM 202MKVII Rackmount USB Dual Cassette Deck B&H # TA202MKVII
The TASCAM 202MKVII is a rackmount USB dual cassette deck designed to deliver flexible cassette recording and transfer functions for musicians, singers, and archivists in home, project, and commercial studios. It features two twin-head cassette decks, a wireless remote control with AA batteries, and support for multiple tape types. A USB 2.0 Type-B output is provided for easy A/D conversion and digital audio transfers to a computer.
Use one-touch dubbing for straightforward cassette duplication, or initiate parallel recording to simultaneously record the same source to both tapes. Welcome luxuries include a pitch control for Tape 1, selectable noise reduction, and repeat playback. In addition to the standard stereo RCA input and output, the 202MKVII boasts a 1/4" mic input and a 1/4" stereo headphone output. Level controls are present for the mic input, headphone output, and recording gain.
I was organizing my house and came across my vocal performances done for my music major, concentratong in vocal performance during my late teens / early twenties on cassettes. My son wants me to have them digitalized to pass on through our generations. Should I send them off to be handled professionally? What would be an estimated cost? If I endeavored to do it on my own, what would I need and what would be my cost for that?
Hi Christine -
You can easily transfer and convert your cassettes digitally by yourself, without sending the tapes out to a lab.
TASCAM 202MKVII Rackmount USB Dual Cassette Deck B&H # TA202MKVII
A USB 2.0 Type-B output is provided for easy A/D conversion and digital audio transfers to a computer.
Hi, I've recorded some demos directly onto cassette tape by playing into my sennheiser mic through my steinberg interface. When digitizing again, it sounds very gainey - do you know why that is? Is it to do with the way I'm recording onto the cassette?
Hi Justin -
You may want to connect your cassette player directly to the interface instead of recording analog from the microphone, thereby eliminating another step in the audio chain. The results should improve.
Hi friends. I'm digitizing cassettes of live shows as part of an archiving project for my former duo. Using a Denon DRM-740 deck, going through a Focusrite 2i2 into a first gen iPad pro with Auria. I could not get a good sound running 2 RCAs from the deck into my two 1/4" inputs -- there was a weird flangy sound and it seemed like half the sound just dropped out. In the end, just using the L out and one channel sounded the best but I'm a bit stymied. Any ideas? Thanks so much!
Hi Teresa -
Be sure to set the Focusrite to "Line" level and not "Instrument."
So I also have many audio cassettes to digitize onto my IMAC. I want high quality WAV files at up to 192kHz resolution. I have a Nakamichi cassette deck. I'm looking at the Berenger UCA202 and the Focusright Scarlet 2i2 as the interface. Do either of these provide a WAV file I am looking for? Or do I convert the files to WAV once they are digitized into my IMAC? Thanks, Scott
The other question is am I looking at gear that is overkill for my goal? Is there something simpler and cheaper to put between my Nak and my IMAC, to end up with these hi rez WAV files?
Hi Scott -
I do not believe it is overkill for making high quality conversions of your cherished cassette music ccollection.
Hi Scott -
Using the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2x2 USB audio interface with the Pro Tools | First and Ableton Live Lite DAWs will deliver the results you are seeking.
I have several albums that were only released to cassette, that I'm hoping to digitize *losslessly*, without spending a fortune. I don't currently own a cassette deck. I've already purchased a USB audio capture cable to use with Audacity on my iMac, but am wondering if I can buy a cheap walkman-style replica, or if I'll need something like an old cabinet-style cassette deck to do this properly. Any help would be appreciated.
Hi Bryan -
You may be able to find and purchase a used SONY WALKMAN portable cassette player. A deck will generally offer the better playback specifications. I recommend:
Pyle Pro Dual Cassette Deck with MP3 Converter B&H # PYPT659D
Key Features
Dear Aiwu,
I want to digitize cassettes. I used an aux to aux plug from my JVC TD-W354 cassette deck phone port to the headphone port of my 2013 Imac and Adobe Audition software. I left my stereo amp on and the sound played through the speakers. It worked and the sound is decent except there are cracks and pops that I did not hear through my speakers. After researching, it sounds like the headphone to headphone connection is not a great idea. I do not have a sound card in the computer. If I get the Behringer Interface you recommend, can I still use the Adobe Audition software? I notice the Behringer is 16-Bit; I was using 32-bit float in Audition when recording.
Hi Aiwu -
Connect this device from your Marantz LINE OUT stereo RCA jacks to the USB port on your computer.
Behringer UCA202 Ultracompact 2x2 USB 2.0 Audio Interface
B&H # BEUCA202
Key Features:
Hello,
I have a Marantz PMD502 Stereo Cassette Deck and I wonder if I can use it to record some cassette tapes into my computer. Any ideas or suggestions will be appreciated.
Hi Aiwu -
Connect this device from your Marantz LINE OUT stereo RCA jacks to the USB port on your computer.
Behringer UCA202 Ultracompact 2x2 USB 2.0 Audio Interface
B&H # BEUCA202
Key Features:
Hi Pat -
You would need to stop, flip the tape over to side two and start the process again.
Hi! I am all set up to digitize my cassette tapes with audacity & all works!
However these are 2-sided tapes of speeches that go for 1 hour & I can’t figure out how to manage the 2nd side. I’m just getting the 1st side. Can you help?
Thanks Pat
Hi Pat -
You would need to stop, flip the tape over to side two and start the process again.
Hello,
I have more than a 1000 audio cassettes that I would like to digitize. They're 4 track and I would like to preserve the 4 tracks if possible. I've been trying to do this with a regular tape deck and audacity but it's taking forever. I can only record 2 tracks at a time and the second set of tracks are recording backwards. That is not a problem since audacity will let me reverse the tracks but for some reason the 2nd set of tracks is longer in length than the first 2 tracks and I'm finding myself spending hours trying to sync the tracks up. Any help would be appreciated. I looked at some of the comments and I saw you mentioned the Graff Of Newark LC60556 Stereo USB Cassette Digitizer with External Sound Card? Is there a cheaper alternative? Thanks.
Hi Wintana -
The Graff Of Newark LC60556 Stereo USB Cassette Digitizer with External Sound Card B&H # GRLC60556 is the best solution I can offer you.
The Graff Of Newark LC60556 Stereo Cassette Digitizer is a complete cassette-to-software digitizing system for laptop computers; it includes the GEM Digitizer master unit, an external USB sound card, and GEM Digitizer software. The package is intended to digitize old cassettes for archiving, uploading, and MP3 conversion in 4x or 8x speeds at resolutions up to 192kHz. Easily record A and B sides to software individually, or simultaneously in one pass.
Hi - I have bought a Behringer UCA 222, hoping it would be the device I needed to convert my almost 100 mixtapes. However, I cannot make it work. I connect my cassette player's RCA 'out' plugs to the Behringer device's corresponding RCA 'in' plugs, and the Behinger's cable to my MaBook Air's USB. I press play on the cassette player, click the record button in Audacity, but it does not register any signal. Switchen the Behringer's monitor on and off, or changing its output volume does not help. Oddly, if I plug a headphone in the Behringer's headphone jack, I can hear the music from the cassette without problems. What am I doing wrong?
Do you have a power cord that can plug into the traditiional AC wall plugs to avoid the problem of batteries going dead during the transfer process?
Hi Ben -
Both the USB Cassette to MP3 Converter from GGI and the Tape Express Plus Tape-to-Digital Converter & Player from ION Audio may be powered by their included USB cables eliminating the dead battery issue.
Is this software compatable with Windows 10 and does it have a true high quality reproduction of sound?
Hi Ben -
Audacity does not yet have full support for Windows 10 due to driver requirements. This page outlines computer requirements and issues using current Audacity for Windows 10.
I want to take my cassette tape recordings and download them onto my laptop computer (Lenovo 110S Ideapad), and I also want to use my external disk drive to burn them onto a blank CD. What's the best device to use to do this, and once I've downloaded music and songs from my tapes onto my computer, can I then just put those recordings onto my disc drive burn list and burn them, or is there more to it than that to do this?
Hi -
You've got the right idea. This is a very simple to use device to transfer your cassette tape collection to your computer:
The TAPE 2 PC from Ion is a high-quality dual cassette deck that allows you to easily convert your favorite tapes to MP3 files for use with your personal media player. Simply connect the TAPE 2 PC to your Mac or Windows computer via USB, and use the included software to convert the tape.
The TAPE 2 PC can also be used as a standard cassette deck in your home entertainment system. Use the included RCA cables to connect to your stereo system for listening in your living room, den, or bedroom.
Tape to MP3
The TAPE 2 PC uses a standard USB 1.1 connection to connect to your Mac or PC to convert your favorite tapes into MP3 music files.
EZ Tape Converter 2 for PC Software
The EZTC2 software allows Windows users to convert their tapes quickly, and also includes Gracenote MusicID technology to automatically retrieve album, artist, and song information. 1
EZ Audio Converter for Mac Software
The EZAC software allows Mac users to convert their tapes easily. The software also lets you enter track information.2
Home Stereo
Use the included stereo RCA cable to use the TAPE 2 PC with your home stereo system.
Dual Cassette Deck
The TAPE 2 PC features two cassette decks. Both can be used for playback, and Deck B may also be used for recording, great for dubbing tapes, or recording external sources to tape.
Tape Type Selector
The Metal/CrO2 selector provides optimal playback, depending on the type of cassette tape used.
Display
The front-panel display shows audio meters and lets you know the record and dubbing status. A tape counter is also provided.
I have about 300 tapes that i need to convert to MP3. What is the most effecient way to do this? is there a FAST way?
Hi Joel -
The Graff Of Newark LC60556 Stereo Cassette Digitizer is a complete cassette-to-software digitizing system for laptop computers; it includes the GEM Digitizer master unit, an external USB sound card, and GEM Digitizer software. The package is intended to digitize old cassettes for archiving, uploading, and MP3 conversion in 4x or 8x speeds at resolutions up to 192kHz. Easily record A and B sides to software individually, or simultaneously in one pass.
Stereo cassette-to-software digital conversion
External USB sound card included for laptop use
Choice of 4x or 8x recording speeds
Records WAV files at up to 192kHz resolution
Record side A and side B in one pass
Includes GEM Digitizer Software
Hi I have some tapes that were recorded on a Tascam 4-track recorder. I bought the ION tape to pc usb conversion sysytem with dual dubbing cassette decks. I am trying to convert the recorded tapes from the Tascam 4-track recorder to regular tape cassette but it is not doing it. It sounds just like the 4-track recording and is not converting. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
bryan
Hi Bryan -
The ION Tape 2 PC system is designed to read and convert L/R stereo tracks only. It cannot decode a 4 track recording.
Thanks Mark S! Makes perfect sense now lol!
i have the hype and i have adacity on my hp and i have no idea how to convert my cassette to cd's i have tried everything i have all the parts and nothing work's right for me please help
Hi Harry -
Please send us an e-mail regarding the hardware you are using : [email protected]
Can this be used with the small micro tape cassetes? I have some serious work to take from the micro cassette; so that I may type out what's recorded. Is this possible
Hi Wanda -
The products I recommended below will work for you as well:
The Behringer UCA202 is an ultra-compact, bus-powered interface that can link a Windows or Mac computer with any audio gear. There is no setup or special drivers needed.
The interface provides two analog inputs and outputs, as well as an additional S/PDIF optical output for direct digital conversion. The stereo headphone output with dedicated level control allows for monitoring both input and output.
The U-CONTROL download area at Behringer's website offers a huge software package for recording and editing making the interface a complete audio solution, which provides a connection between the analog and digital domain.
Ultra-flexible audio interface connects instruments, mixer etc. with a computer for recording and playback
High-resolution 48kHz converters for high-end audio quality
Works with a PC or Mac - no setup or drivers required
Stereo headphone output with dedicated level control allows for monitoring both input and output
Additional S/PDIF optical output for direct digital conversion
Powered via USB bus - no external power supply needed
Free audio recording and editing software downloadable at www.behringer.com
You will also need this adapter:
The three foot REAN 3.5mm TRS to Dual RCA Pro Stereo Breakout Cable by Hosa Technology is designed to connect MP3 players, tablets, laptops and more to desktop stereo systems and hi-fi receivers.
This 24 AWG cable features nickel-plated REAN plugs, OFC (Oxygen-free Copper) conductors for enhanced signal clarity and 90% OFC spiral shielding which provides flexibility plus electromagnetic and radio frequency interference rejection.
Nickel-plated 1/8" REAN connectors for effective signal transfer and long-lasting durability
Oxygen-free Copper (OFC) conductors enhance signal clarity
90% OFC spiral shields provide flexibility and optimum EMI/RFI rejection
Here's my problem. I have a wizard little Sony recodable MD. I'd like to get the contents of the recorded MD's into Wavfepad on my laptop. I have a piece of hardware labled Digital PC Link. Also Xitel MD-PORT DG2. The only thing close to a line out is the headphone jack on the MD, and my inputs are USB. Somehow the cables are just not facilitating any signal transfer. What do I need to make it work ?
Hi Peter -
Use something like this:
The Behringer UCA202 is an ultra-compact, bus-powered interface that can link a Windows or Mac computer with any audio gear. There is no setup or special drivers needed.
The interface provides two analog inputs and outputs, as well as an additional S/PDIF optical output for direct digital conversion. The stereo headphone output with dedicated level control allows for monitoring both input and output.
The U-CONTROL download area at Behringer's website offers a huge software package for recording and editing making the interface a complete audio solution, which provides a connection between the analog and digital domain.
Ultra-flexible audio interface connects instruments, mixer etc. with a computer for recording and playback
High-resolution 48kHz converters for high-end audio quality
Works with a PC or Mac - no setup or drivers required
Stereo headphone output with dedicated level control allows for monitoring both input and output
Additional S/PDIF optical output for direct digital conversion
Powered via USB bus - no external power supply needed
Free audio recording and editing software downloadable at www.behringer.com
You will also need this adapter:
The three foot REAN 3.5mm TRS to Dual RCA Pro Stereo Breakout Cable by Hosa Technology is designed to connect MP3 players, tablets, laptops and more to desktop stereo systems and hi-fi receivers.
This 24 AWG cable features nickel-plated REAN plugs, OFC (Oxygen-free Copper) conductors for enhanced signal clarity and 90% OFC spiral shielding which provides flexibility plus electromagnetic and radio frequency interference rejection.
Nickel-plated 1/8" REAN connectors for effective signal transfer and long-lasting durability
Oxygen-free Copper (OFC) conductors enhance signal clarity
90% OFC spiral shields provide flexibility and optimum EMI/RFI rejection
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the input. I smile a bit 'cause I could swear from your advice that your a vested sales representative for Behringer
equipment. BUT thats ok becausde I know, have used, and respect the name and its products I have been exposed to over time.
I'll take a look at what the company has to offer and let you know if I have success.
Thanks again and be well.
Peter Harrington
Hi Peter -
The Behringer works, so I will continue to recommend it!
i have recorded songs onto a small sony tape recorder.it has a plug in to download is there a way to transfer songs to computer
I borrowed a cassette player from my neighbor and it has a headset jack as does my computer. Bought a male to male cable and plugged in both. But first I listened to the audio tapes of 2 of my children (when 2 & 3) from 40 years ago. Sounded fine. Then I downloaded Audacity to my computer. I began testing to see if I was recording anything on my computer because I saw no sound info on my audacity screen. I am recording nothing and cannot figure out what my problem is. Please help.
Hi Charle -
I assume you are connecting the cassette player into the microphone jack of the computer. if so, then this will not work. You will need a device to digitize the analog recordings before they get to the computer. Here is the device you need:
The Behringer UCA202 is an ultra-compact, bus-powered interface that can link a Windows or Mac computer with any audio gear. There is no setup or special drivers needed.
The interface provides two analog inputs and outputs, as well as an additional S/PDIF optical output for direct digital conversion. The stereo headphone output with dedicated level control allows for monitoring both input and output.
The U-CONTROL download area at Behringer's website offers a huge software package for recording and editing making the interface a complete audio solution, which provides a connection between the analog and digital domain.
Ultra-flexible audio interface connects instruments, mixer etc. with a computer for recording and playback
High-resolution 48kHz converters for high-end audio quality
Works with a PC or Mac - no setup or drivers required
Stereo headphone output with dedicated level control allows for monitoring both input and output
Additional S/PDIF optical output for direct digital conversion
Powered via USB bus - no external power supply needed
Free audio recording and editing software downloadable at www.behringer.com
thank you.
What do I need to connect my Sony tape player containing the tapes to the UCA202? The device shows 2 inputs for cables, but I do not have anything like that. Will a single male to lame cable work?
Hi Charles -
If your tape player has a 1/8" (3.5mm) female audio output (headphone or line out) you will need a "Y" adapter to connect your tape player to the Behringer UCA202.
The 3' 1/8" Stereo Mini to Dual RCA Y Cable from Pearstone allows you to connect your portable audio devices to your home theater system, portable computer speakers, or any other device's RCA inputs. Its gold-plated connectors protect against corrosion while ensuring clear signal paths for your audio. The 1/8" stereo mini connector is recessed, allowing it to be used with most MP3 players and smart devices without having to remove their protective case.
Thank you, again.
Sorry to say, but I am back again and obviously out of my league with this. I have 4 audio tapes I want to convert to a digital format on my computer. I have a cassette player and have inserted a tape. I have Y-cable (you recommended) plugged into the headphone jack on the player. (These tapes are recordings of 2 of my children from 40 years ago. I would like to be able to eventually burn them a disk with these recordings.) The Y-cable is plugged into the "input" of the UCA202 (which you also recommended) which in turn is plugged into my laptop. I have plugged headphones into the UCA and I can hear the recording when I press "play" on the audio cassette player. I have the volume turned up to max on the UCA. While everything may seem to be fine, I cannot tell where, if anywhere, the recoding is going on my computer. I see a red light in the little area to the left of the headphone input on the UCA and the USB light is green and lit. Can you direct me further, please. Sorry for being so dumb about this.
Hi Charlie -
The file is created and stored on your hard drive. Did uo download the free software/
"To truly get the most out of your UCA202, you will need recording and editing software. So, we made it easy, providing a single place for you to download lots of free software including: Audacity is an easy-to-use audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux operating systems. With Audacity you can: Record live audio Convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs Edit Ogg Vorbis, MP3, WAV or AIFF sound files Cut, copy, splice or mix sounds together Change the speed or pitch of a recording And much more…"
Here is a.pdf copy of the manual:
https://media.music-group.com/media/PLM/data/docs/P0484/UCA202_P0484_M_EN.pdf
Please contact us via e-mail if you have additional questions: [email protected]