Hook Up Your Record Player or Cassette Player To Your Computer

One of the biggest stumbling blocks to recording your LPs and cassettes to CD is how to hook up your record player or cassette player to your computer's sound card.  Luckily, our software has a guide that helps you make the connection.

Simply click the "Hookup Wizard.." button and the software will ask you a series of questions to guide you on the hookup.



If that doesn't help you make the hookup, here are some more tips:
  • You will probably need to purchase the right kind of cable from an electronics or audio store such as Radio Shack, Best Buy, The Good Guys, etc.  Support your local "Mom & Pop" family audio/electronics store, if possible!  The cables usually cost less than $5.
  • If you have a laptop that does not have a sound "line-in" port, you can use a USB audio device.
  • Your sound card will require an eighth inch stereo mini plug on one side.
  • Use a flashlight to look at the line in port of your computer's sound card.
  • The sound card's line-in looks like an arrow going into a speaker.
  • If you are connecting your stereo amp to your computer, you will probably need an RCA to an eighth inch stereo mini.
  • You can usually hook up your tape/cassette player directly to your computer's sound card.
  • Record players have an extra low level and usually need to go into the Phono In on a stereo amp or through a preamp before going into the computer's sound card.
  • If you don't have an RCA jack on the back of your device, you can still hook it up from the headphone jack of your record player or tape player.  You'll need a special cord that goes from a quarter inch stereo jack to an eighth inch stereo mini.
  • You may need to purchase a new record player or cassette deck.