Cassette to Computer

• 1). Download and install Audacity (see Resources). Audacity is a free, audio-recording software program that allows you to record your cassette tape onto your computer. In order to export as MP3 from Audacity, a plugin called Lame must be installed. The link for this is also located in resources.
  
  
• 2
  This is the RCA end of the cable.phono plugs 2 image by PeteG from Fotolia.com
  
  Plug the RCA end of your cable into your cassette deck: the red side goes into the red "Line Out" hole, and the white side into the white "Line Out" hole.
  
  
• 3). Plug the 1/8" end of the cable into the microphone socket of your computer.
  
  
• 4). Open Audacity and change the output device to Microphone (for PC). Click on "Edit" and open "Preferences." Then click on the "Audio I/O" tab and select "Microphone" from the drop down list in the recording section.
  
  
• 5). Open Audacity and change the output device to Microphone (for Mac). Click on the Audacity drop-down menu at the top of your screen and choose "Preferences." In the "Recording" section of the menu, choose "Microphone" from the "Device" drop-down menu.
  
  
• 6). Starting from zero, adjust the microphone input volume to a satisfactory level. This method will ensure your microphone jack isn't damaged. Monitor the volume on the volume bar labeled with a small microphone logo near the top of the Audacity window. Make sure the volume (during the loudest part of the audio recording), reaches near the top of the input meter without causing the red indicator to light up. If the red indicator lights up, then the input signal is too loud.
  
  
• 7). Click record on Audacity (the button with the red circle); then click play on the cassette deck. Once the tape has finished playing, press stop on the cassette deck and Audacity (the button with the black square.)
  
  
• 8). Export your recorded file. Click on "File" and select "Export as mp3." Choose an export location, name your file and click on "Start." Your file will then be converted and can be found in your chosen export location. (Note: Exporting to mp3 requires the LAME plug-in, available at the Web site listed below.)
  
  

Computer to CD

• 1). Download and install iTunes (see Resources).
  
  
• 2). Right click on the exported audio file, click on "Open With..." and select iTunes.
  
  
• 3). Click on the exported audio file and drag it to the sidebar. This will create a playlist with the same name as the file.
  
  
• 4). Right-click on the playlist and select "Burn Playlist to CD." Select "Audio CD" when prompted, and then click "Burn." The iTunes program will alert you when your CD is ready.