Why use this unit instead of just a cassette player and a PC running Audacity? For example, just using any cassette player, and then output the sound using a headphone to headphone cable, and then make it go from the cassette player's headphone output to the computer's microphone or line-in, and just use Audacity to capture the sound from mic or line-in. Won't that work too? Won't the computer do a good job at compressing the audio, given the computer is so fast and using multi-core these days? (just don't run other apps at the same time, like, just reboot and do the tape transfer without running any other app) Why use this unit instead of just a cassette player and a PC running Audacity? For example, just using any cassette player, and then output the sound using a headphone to headphone cable, and then... » Read More Why use this unit instead of just a cassette player and a PC running Audacity? For example, just using any cassette player, and then output the sound using a headphone to headphone cable, and then make it go from the cassette player's headphone output to the computer's microphone or line-in, and just use Audacity to capture the sound from mic or line-in. Won't that work too? Won't the computer do a good job at compressing the audio, given the computer is so fast and using multi-core these days? (just don't run other apps at the same time, like, just reboot and do the tape transfer without running any other app) « Show Less
1753837
Hi,Great question. You may want to take a look at the Wiki How article and discussion on this:http://www.wikihow.com/Transfer-Cassette-Tape-to-Computer
99515
No this will not work. It is just for duplicating CD's.You need something like the TASCAM CC-222SLmkII . This sells for $599.00 on Amazon.Ther may be less expensive units on the market but be careful as some units record to cd or cassette from an external source but don't directly record from cassette to cd. (Rather strange) One unit would record from cd to cassette but not the other way. (Why would you want to do that?)
868209
Yes you can. The unit comes with an easily understood user manual that explains in detail how to record music from both the USB and CD outputs to your cassette recorder.
1801711
I have had no problem with the automatic transfer. I used the audacity audio program. It connected automatically with both my lap top and my desk top computers. You might want to check your plug in port to see if it is working. Or go into your control panel for audio or sound and see if the correct setting are checked. But for me, I had no problem at all. My only problem is that it should record on two channels, but the play button has to be wiggled or jiggled to make it happen. To be honest I guess I have recorded over thirty tapes with it and it may not be built to stand a continued usage like that. But it still works, just that you have to wiggle the button sometimes to make it work right. I hope this helps.
1199890
Use the help title on top right hand side of audacity program. It has a web browser manual on it. As for the settings of microphone to use the cassette player, I don't know it for Mac, but you should set the speaker/controls to cd quality which for pc is 2 channel 16bit 44100Hz. This is for recording devices. Good Luck!
262966
Don't use the CassetteMare software. It doesn't work. Use the Audacity software that's also provided on the CD in the package, then follow the instructions provided with the Audacity software, not the Audacity instructions in the manual provided in the package. That manual is useless. With a little effort, you can convert tapes to mp3s using Audacity.
1289195
Very good question, Laurie. What I do, is read the reviews on amazon. People will usually have widely differing answers. If there are a LOT of negatives, I run for the hills and do not buy. If there are a LOT of very well written positives, I pay attention to each point by point comment to judge if I would be o.k., or not, with using that product. On this Sony, I can make it work. But the manual is horribly written, and at times, confusing. I tend to like this machine, but if I was to buy anopther like it, I think I might opt for a different well known brand, such as teac/tascam. Perhaps the best thing you could do, is ask your friends or neighbors what kind of CD recorder they use, and ask them "How easy is this to use, and does it give high quality recordings?" Then, they can actually show you how it works, and be there for you, if you buiy one, but have a problem. Best wishes!
868210
I have not tried that, but I have done it the other way around ... cassette to CD. I have found the unit to be very versatile and I've been very pleased with it. Note, however, that I am not a music or stereo equipment aficionado.
712424
Yes, you can record from a cassette or I would imagine you can also record from CD. My machine is new enough, I haven't done that yet. I also use the variable speed feature to slow down music for teaching dance.
262968
Agree fully with answer #4. The Audacity program works fine, but you do need to download the subprogram to get it to transfer for mp3. Just be careful which "USB Audio device" you pick. Once you see the audio forms, you have the right device. Good luck. Not intuitive at all, but it does work well. Dumps it right into iTunes if you want.
623636
SueEllen - The only external output (other than the speaker) is a standard earphone jack. The recorder has no way of saving/exporting the audio in mp3 format or any other format. I suppose there may be software for PC/Mac/Linux to take input via a sound card and save it as an mp3 file, in which case connecting from the earphone jack to the sound card might work. But I assume you're looking for a more robust solution. This recorder definitely isn't designed for that purpose. From your question, I'm not sure if you have it already or not; I assume probably not. It's a very good recorder and a very good value, but very likely not what you'll want if saving the audio on a computer is a requirement. SueEllen - The only external output (other than the speaker) is a standard earphone jack. The recorder has no way of saving/exporting the audio in mp3 format or any other format. I suppose there may be software for PC/Mac/Linux to take input via a sound card and save it as an mp3 file, in which case connecting from the earphone jack to the sound card might work. But I assume you're looking for a more robust solution. This recorder definitely isn't designed for that purpose. From your question, I'm not sure if you have it already or not; I assume probably not. It's a very good recorder and a... » Read More SueEllen - The only external output (other than the speaker) is a standard earphone jack. The recorder has no way of saving/exporting the audio in mp3 format or any other format. I suppose there may be software for PC/Mac/Linux to take input via a sound card and save it as an mp3 file, in which case connecting from the earphone jack to the sound card might work. But I assume you're looking for a more robust solution. This recorder definitely isn't designed for that purpose. From your question, I'm not sure if you have it already or not; I assume probably not. It's a very good recorder and a very good value, but very likely not what you'll want if saving the audio on a computer is a requirement. « Show Less
1107860
You know what . . . .? I haven't used my digital voice recorder since I got my Macbook which records my voice and then I can lay a track of music over the voice recording. I use it for my hypnosis client's sessions. So I can't help with your question, sorry.
613412
I don't have it anymore, but it was a pretty neat unit and you don't need anything but MIDI cables to the computer or a dedicated sound card to capture the headphone output. Because of its inclusion of MIDI in and out, you can use it with other gear, which is nice. However, it has no USB output, which is becoming ever-common on newer gear.
2260473
Yes it is different. The connection is with a USB. I have successfully recorded 12 songs, first from 33rpm records to a cassette tape then from cassette to a cd disc. I then was able to play it on my cd player and it sounds great. The unit I bought looks cheap but it works. I have 12 more songs ready put on a cd. I tried the jack direct to the computer with no luck. Use INGburn free download. How to write an Audio CD and hoe to write an image file to disc. Use this with Audacity softwares latest version.
818275
I've been looking for either a mini-disc player/recorder to OR a method to take self recorded music from one mini-disc to a computer, THEN be able to transfer that music on the computer to a CD/mp3/ or even another mini-disc (as clear as possible).With my four (4) MD player/recorders that I have already, I can record digitally w/ the optical digital cable input. Will the MZ-M200 allow me to do MORE in terms of recording digitally (like from other optical digital sources)? I know previously, there was only so much you could record digitally rather than analog. Any help is GREATLY appreciated, as this new unit is looking good... I've been looking for either a mini-disc player/recorder to OR a method to take self recorded music from one mini-disc to a computer, THEN be able to transfer that music on the computer to a CD/mp3/ or even another mini-disc (as clear as possible).With my four (4) MD player/recorders that I have already, I can record digitally w/ the optical digital cable input. Will the MZ-M200 allow me to do MORE in terms of recording digitally (like from other optical digital sources)? I know previously, there was only so much you could record digitally rather than analog. Any help is GREATLY... » Read More I've been looking for either a mini-disc player/recorder to OR a method to take self recorded music from one mini-disc to a computer, THEN be able to transfer that music on the computer to a CD/mp3/ or even another mini-disc (as clear as possible).With my four (4) MD player/recorders that I have already, I can record digitally w/ the optical digital cable input. Will the MZ-M200 allow me to do MORE in terms of recording digitally (like from other optical digital sources)? I know previously, there was only so much you could record digitally rather than analog. Any help is GREATLY appreciated, as this new unit is looking good... « Show Less
1006098
I don't use the software, unless that is where I got Audacity. Audacity is a free open source program that can record sound in line in from a stereo or from the data line of this device. I think there is a package on the disc that tries to break the recording into individual songs but I have read that it is not correct. I just use Audacity or Wavepad from NCH. I record the entire side of an album into a single file. That is what I recommend.
1272545
Here are some suggestions. They may seem obvious solutions, but hopefully one of these will help you... -Check your computer's speaker volume level -Check the volume on the cassette player -Check the playback volume on the Audacity program's volume level is turned up -Make sure that the player is plugged into the microphone port and not the headphone port (if you did accidently plug it into the headphone port, then the Audacity program did not record any of it and you'll need to completely re-download the cassette recording)