Converting Tapes with the Pyle Dual Cassette Deck and Audacity

Do you have old cassette recordings lying around? Want to ensure those recordings stay preserved for future generations? Then try out the Pyle Dual Cassette Deck at one of our Digital Media Stations and get those precious memories saved to digital using Audacity.

To get started

1. Make sure the cassette deck is connected to the computer using the USB cable. 
2. Turn the cassette deck on and put the tape in Deck A or B.
3. Press play.
4. Open Audacity after you have connected the tape deck. Otherwise, it may not identify the deck and you'll have to quit and reopen Audacity.
5. Click on Audio Setup in Audacity and look for Recording Device.
6. Look for something like USB Audio CODEC, USB Audio Device, or Pyle.
7. Also, select 2 (Stereo) Recording Channels.
8. Play the tape and watch Audacity's recording meters to ensure they are jumping, meaning it can "hear" the audio. 
9. Adjust the cassette deck Gain knob so the level is strong but doesn't peak out in Audacity. You don't want the blue waveforms to consistently go beyond the top and bottom borders of the track(s). 
10. Now rewind your tape.
11. When ready, click the Record button in Audacity and press play on the cassette deck.

You can record individual tracks and export them one at a time, or you can record both sides of the tape without stopping Audacity, even when flipping the tape. When the tape is done you'll have one long file that you can then separate into tracks at your convenience. Remember, Audacity is a free downloadable software so once you have your long mp3 file you can do all the cutting and editing at home. I use the "Labels" in Audacity to label each track in a long file then export those labels which creates the individual tracks. It's a great feature. 

Exporting the files

When exporting you have two options. You can export your file and/or save your project. Exporting results in you getting an .MP3 or .WAV file. You choose which during the export process. Saving as a project saves your file as an Audacity project file (.aup3) which allows you to reopen the file in Audacity and continue editing. I typically export my recording as an .mp3 file AND save my recording as a project file. 

Export audio file

• File → Export
  • WAV (highest quality/preservation quality)
  • MP3 (smaller, shareable)
• Name your file
• Click Export

Save your project

Save project (editable)

• File → Save Project → Save Project As
• Keeps everything editable later
• NOT an audio file

Troubleshooting

Audacity not identifying the cassette deck for recording

• Audacity needs to be opened after you have connected the tape deck
• Quit Audacity and reopen the software to try again

No sound on recording

• Wrong input selected in Audacity
• Deck not powered on
• USB cable plugged in after Audacity opened → restart Audacity

Sound is distorted or too "crunchy"

• The recording level may be too high.
• Lower the GAIN on the cassette deck and try again.
• Watch Audacity's recording meter and avoid clipping.
• If only certain portions are distorted, the cassette itself may be worn or damaged.

One channel louder than the other

• Old cassette issue - can fix later with Effect > Normalize