Cassette ripping using Audacity

[Jiglo]

I'm trying to rip an old cassette using Audacity and only the left channel is showing as being recorded for some reason Is there a limitation on the software or something, because the source is definitely stereo? The 'Make Stereo Track' (under 'Audio Track') isn't highlighted for some reason so I can't enable it

It's my first time trying to record from a cassette and I was going to use Audacity because it's free. I don't know which version it is.

Anyone know what the problem is?

[coggledots]

this might be a silly question, but it is a (phono to) stereo jack plug lead (not mono plug) your using? A stereo jack plug will have two rings round it & a mono one ring

And you are plugged into the 'line in' NOT 'microphone' socket on your computer? This might sound a bit primative as well, but i've got a dodgy line in socket on my sound card & i have to give a bit of a waggle sometimes!

[Jiglo]

Cheeres coggledots

Aye it's a stereo Y lead and it's plugged into the line in on an Audigy soundcard and the rec out on my cassette deck.

I tried wiggling the cables earlier on until I realised that I could hear the music in stereo on my headphones.

Audacity doesn't give me the option to record in stereo though for some reason

[blue jammer]

Bin Audacity, as it's shit.

You wanna try Sound Forge, it's easy to use and great results for ripping audio from ALL sources.

If you can't track a copy down, give us a shout later and I'll pm you a link to one

[sirius]

Originally Posted by blue jammer

Bin Audacity, as it's shit.

Thats a bit harsh, Ive used it before and found it perfectly fine considering its free.

Have you considered the possibility that your cassete player might only be outputting properly to one channel?. Also check your device settings and check that its looking at the right soundcard and has the right input channel selected (such as "line in 1" or whatever).

Try changing the leads too, if your not sure if they work. Perhaps try and record from another hifi or cd or something too just to check.

Ive used audacity in the past, and I had no problems recording stereo.


Sirius.

[Jiglo]

Originally Posted by blue jammer

Bin Audacity, as it's shit.

You wanna try Sound Forge, it's easy to use and great results for ripping audio from ALL sources.

If you can't track a copy down, give us a shout later and I'll pm you a link to one

Cheers blue jammer I had a good look around t'internet earlier and I couldn't see one that i'd consider buying. 300 smackers is a bit much for ripping a cassette or 2

[Jiglo]

Originally Posted by sirius

Thats a bit harsh, Ive used it before and found it perfectly fine considering its free.

Have you considered the possibility that your cassete player might only be outputting properly to one channel?. Also check your device settings and check that its looking at the right soundcard and has the right input channel selected (such as "line in 1" or whatever).

Try changing the leads too, if your not sure if they work. Perhaps try and record from another hifi or cd or something too just to check.

Ive used audacity in the past, and I had no problems recording stereo.


Sirius.

Cheers Sirius

The music traveling though the lead and my soundcard is definitely in stereo as that's what i'm hearing though my headphones and speakers, so it's gotta be something else.

I've used it for editing before without problems and for converting file types once I downloaded a plug in, but I haven't a clue why it's only detecting one channel when I can clearly hear 2

[Jiglo]

Right i've sorted the stereo out, apparently Audacity records only a single channel (mono) by default. I had to set the number of channels to record in the Preferences (on the Audio I/O tab).

I've somehow knocked off the channel levels though, any ideas on how to get them back?

[Jiglo]

..and i've now found them again in preferences

Looks like i'll have to test a tape tomorrow now

[coggledots]

oh well, at least you found out where you were going wrong in the last 5 ish hours lol!

Hope ya planning on upping these tapes