iMac (27-inch, Late 2009)

I'm trying to digitize some of my old cassettes by using a

Known good cassette player (2)
Known good Aux cable (3)
Audacity

Everything seems set up correctly in terms of preferences. Audio is set to line in, Audactity sees this as well.

Cassette player is functional. Line out works with headphones. Tapes play, I can hear sound very well.

It would seem this should work but the computer does not seem to hear any audio going into the line in. Reset the PRAM, etc, no dice.

Tried multiple different aux cables. No dice.

Internal microphone does work and everything records that way but it does seem a bit 1976 to me.

What can I be missing?

TIA

Chop

Check Audio MIDI Setup in Utilities.

Zap PRAM.

Couldn’t find an image of a 2009 iMac, but I presume the audio ports look like this:



I’ve always found the icon for audio in to be cryptic - you’re not plugged into the headphone port, I presume?

What btfc said: Check your Audio Devices/ Input/ Built-In Line Input, in Audio MIDI Setup

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JoeM

This is what the settings look like. Is it correct?

Running Sierra.

Just realized that this iMac is 10 years old!

For the most part it works great.

Have you checked that there’s actually a signal going out from the cassette player on those specific outputs? Or are you running from the headset jack with an adapter? If you’re running from the headset Jack, is the volume turned up?

Volume is cranked. Very clear through headphones (2) or the speaker on the cassette players (2).

Meaning I tried two different cassette players and two different aux cables. Are aux cables the same as like a microphone cable?

Those settings in Audio MIDI setup look fine. Your input cable is recognized by your Mac, or the Input tab would not be selectable.

I don't know why it's not working.

Worst case is you'll need to attach a Sabrent USB External Stereo Sound Adapter for Windows and Mac. Amazon sells this USB adapter for $7.99

To connect the cassette deck to your Mac, you should be using a 3.5mm M/M Stereo Audio Cable. These are commonly sold for $5 or less.

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Forrest
To connect the cassette deck to your Mac, you should be using a 3.5mm M/M Stereo Audio Cable. These are commonly sold for $5 or less.

You can use a 6 Inch 3.5mm Stereo Mini Plug to 2 RCA Jack Adapter:

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JoeM

Looks like your Master level is all the way down.

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wurm
Looks like your Master level is all the way down.

Also, check your System Preferences/ Sound/ Input and make sure your Input volume is turned all the way up.

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JoeM

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chopper
Cassette player is functional. Line out works with headphones. Tapes play, I can hear sound very well...

I think you're getting audio, but it's at the wrong level for recording.

It's a line-level input.

You need to crank up the volume all the way on the tape deck.

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I don't know why it is needed, but an app called LINEIN has helped me when otherwise reasonable settings don't work.

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chopper
This is what the settings look like. Is it correct?

your Master Volume is all the way down. Drag it to about 3/4 to the right.

Master volume can't be adjusted in that configuration.

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What config would I use?

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chopper
What config would I use?

Your settings are correct in Audio Midi Setup.

Again, it's a line-level input. If your tape deck does not have a real "line-out" and only has a headphone jack then you're outputting the wrong levels for this purpose.

At this point, I suggest buying a cheap USB audio input device off of Amazon.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/04/2019 03:21PM by Sarcany.