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What mike?

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woodelf | 20:29 Tue 31st Aug 2010 | Technology
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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.
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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!
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Hi Al, I'm a techno duffer, so could you explain that 2.5 line in/out bit for me in idiot English...smile.
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.
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.
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.
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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!
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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!
// 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.
Connect up with a cable as above .. play tape .. open PC sound panel and fiddle about. Should get it working : )
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Vagrant, windows xp professional sp3.
// 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 ...
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this socket on the pc, is it at front of tower or at back?
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Heeeeeeelp!!!!!!...could someone do it for me???????...pretty pleeeeeze!
Download (and install) Audacity:
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Sorry - should have mentioned - legally free, virus free, should do what you want.
The socket - might be on the front, back, top, or side!
What make/model PC?
Wherever it is, it's light blue.
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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.
It will be a 3.5mm not a 2.5mm.
PC's Ipods etc use a stereo 3.5mm plug as standard.
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.
Question Author
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

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