I know this is annoying, sorry

[HeadSouth]

Ok, I think this is the right topic to post this end. I am so annoyed with myself for not being able to figure this out. I SUCK with stuff like this.

The problem: I have songs recorded onto a cassette tape via an analog 4-track recorder. The 4-track has Line In L&R and Line Out L&R. I want to get these songs onto my MacBook Pro. I talked to a friend of mine (who I can't get in touch with to help me) and he said that this is possible by hooking my 4-track up to my computer with an iPod Monster Cable and recording onto GarageBand. I just went to Radio Shack and got the "iCable." I asked the manager if it would work before I bought it and he said it should. So now I'm sitting here, getting frustrated because I can't figure this mess out. I'm trying to go about this thing methodically and logically, but I just keep getting more frustrated.

I have the L&R inputs of the Monster Cable plugged into the Line Out L&R inputs of the 4-track. I have the other single-tipped end plugged into the "Audio In" jack of my MacBook Pro. I opened GarageBand (which is the latest version, I just updated it about 15 minutes ago) and sat there confused. What now??? I tried the obvious stuff first, like pressing record in GarageBand and play on the 4-track...nothing. I can't figure this crap out!

HELP!

 

[lilboo77]

do you have an amp or anything you could plug the cable from the 4-track into to see if you are getting sound out of it?

Or does the 4-track have led's to show you how much signal it is putting out?

 

[HeadSouth]

Yeah, I tried through a Peavey practice amp. I got nothing because the Monster jack is only 1/8". I tried using a 1/8" - 1/4" converter contact, but the monster was really loose in it. The 4-track does have LEDs however, and they're reading that the right amount of signal is being produced. I'm clueless...

 

[GrooveWarrior]

Open your system preferences and click on "Sound". Then click "Input" and make sure you have the "Audio In" selected instead of the "Internal Microphone".

Also, you may find that you have to pre-amp the signal with a compressor, mic-pre, your bass pre, or something else. The L/R RCA outs on most units are counting on you using something to amplify the signal because it is an extremely weak signal.

I have found the audio input on my Mac iBook G4 to be useless sound-wise. My best suggestion is to get a cheap USB interface, and run the L/R RCA's into two of the channel's on it and then into GarageBand. You need to get an interface anyway so you can record to GarageBand in the future. You can get an interface for about $100. If you take the cable back and you will already have a start.

Hope this helps!

 

[HeadSouth]

Thank you so much, I've got it now. But check this out.

I recorded about 4 seconds of audio onto GarageBand perfectly...so I decided to try to record a whole song. I rewound my tape to the right spot, pressed play, and...NOTHING. It QUIT WORKING. What kind of bull is that?!? I have no clue what's wrong with it. No play, rewind, fast forward, or anything. It does, however, show that it is receiving signal when a mic is plugged in, and it does power up. Maybe a belt is loose?

 

[HeadSouth]

I took it to my mom's house, so my electronics-guru stepdad could have a look at it. Of course, he figured it out, something was wrong with it having to do with "brushes" or something, it was over my head. Thanks for all your help, guys.