Ever wanted to convert those old cassette tapes that you have into digital audio that you can play back over and over and the quality won't degrade?

Here's the checklist of things you need:
 - line-in port on your computer
 - cassette player with a headphone port
 - 2 head audio cable (meaning there's a plug on each side)
 - a decent PC with windows on it

It's okay if you are not sure what the items we listed means, because we'll explain it, and hopefully you'll understand.

Line-in port

If you already know what a line-in port is, please skip this explanation.  On the back of your PC, there's several audio ports. 
(Hint: Follow the line from your speakers to your computer and you'll see these audio ports, unless you have your speakers on your monitor.) 
If you have a separate sound card, you will find these ports: line-in, mic, line-out, rear-out, and many more.  If you did not buy a sound card (if you do not know what a sound card is, chances are, you did not buy one), then there will probably be 3 ports for sound on the back of your computer, and they probably are mic, line-in, and the port for the speakers.  You will only need the line-in port, and the default one that hooks up to your speakers.


(If you have a sound card, it will look something like this--the colors may be different through.)

Cassette player

A cassette player is required (the machine that plays the cassette tapes).  It must have a port for headphones.  However, you will not plug a headphone into that port, you will plug one end of the audio cable to it, and the other end to your computer.

2 Head Audio Cable

This cable can be purchased at local electronic or computer stores, just ask the clerk for a "sound cable with jacks on both sides."  Both jacks are identical to each other too except for color--the common colors are blue on one side and green on the other side.

Hardware Configuration
1. Hook one side of the 2 head audio cable to the cassette player's headphone port.
2. Hook the other side of the 2 head audio cable to the computer's line-in port.
3. Put the tape in the cassette player.

Software Configuration
4. On your computer, go to Start > Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Volume Control.
5. In "Master Speakers" go to Options > Properties.
6. Click on "Recording" and click "ok."
7. Under "Line-In," click select.
8. Go to Options > Properties.
9. Click on "Playback" and click "ok."
10. Check "Mute" for everything there except Master, Wave, Line-in.
11. Close it.

Convert Analog to Digital Audio
12. Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Sound Recorder.
13. Play the cassette (press the play button on the cassette player).
14. On your computer, on "Sound Recorder," hit Record (the red button) and after you're done, press stop.
15. Go to File > Save as in "Sound Recorder" and save the file.

Questions

Why is my sound crappy?
"Sound Recorder" has a limit to how good it records.

Can I make my sound better?
Yes, don't use Sound Recorder, download other programs that record, we recommend "Mp3MyMp3 Recorder 1.0" (Yes, it's free)

Got any recording tips for me?
When recording songs from a cassette, record each of the songs and save them as separate files so you can play them separately on the computer.

Do I save in .wav or .mp3?
Either one is fine, mp3 is relatively higher quality as a smaller file, so we recommend .mp3.

Why doesn't it work?
Ask a friend to help you or just scrap the idea.